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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators - 47-4061.00

O*NET-SOC Description

Lay, repair, and maintain track for standard or narrow-gauge railroad equipment used in regular railroad service or in plant yards, quarries, sand and gravel pits, and mines. Includes ballast cleaning machine operators and railroad bed tamping machine operators.

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Machine Operator
  • Rail Maintenance Worker
  • Track Equipment Operator (TEO)
  • Track Inspector
  • Track Laborer
  • Track Maintainer
  • Track Repairer
  • Track Walker
  • Trackman

SOC Occupation Groups

47-0000 Construction and Extraction Occupations
47-4000 Other Construction and Related Workers
47-4060 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
47-4061.00 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
  • Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
  • Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
  • Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
  • Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
  • Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
  • Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
  • Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
  • Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
  • Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
  • Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
  • Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
  • Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
  • Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
  • Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
  • Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
  • Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
  • Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
  • Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
  • String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
  • Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
  • Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Apply paint to surfaces.
  • Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Compact materials to create level bases.
  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Drill holes in construction materials.
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
  • Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
  • Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Weld metal components.

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Cannon Crewmember (Army - Enlisted)
  • Cavalry Scout (Army - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Apprentice (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Craftsman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Helper (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Pavements and Construction Equipment Journeyman (Air Force - Enlisted)
  • Railway Section Repairer (RC) (Army - Enlisted)
  • Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

No information available.

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Grinding-Machine Operator, Portable
  • Railway-Equipment Operator
  • Track Repairer
  • Track-Moving-Machine Operator
  • Track-Surfacing-Machine Operator