Rail-track Laying And Maintenance Equipment Operators

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

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.

Tasks

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

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Quality Control Analysis: Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Abilities

Control Precision: The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual Dexterity: The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Multilimb Coordination: The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
Static Strength: The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Depth Perception: The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
Problem Sensitivity: The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Arm-Hand Steadiness: The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Reaction Time: The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

Work Activities

Handling and Moving Objects: Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Performing General Physical Activities: Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
Controlling Machines and Processes: Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material: Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment: Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment: Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
Getting Information: Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events: Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Work Context

Outdoors, Exposed to Weather: How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?
Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets: How much does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets?
Contact With Others: How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
Face-to-Face Discussions: How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
Very Hot or Cold Temperatures: How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?
Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls: How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
Responsible for Others' Health and Safety: How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?
In an Enclosed Vehicle or Equipment: How often does this job require working in a closed vehicle or equipment (e.g., car)?
Sounds, Noise Levels Are Distracting or Uncomfortable: How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?
Exposed to Hazardous Equipment: How often does this job require exposure to hazardous equipment?

Interests

Realistic: Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Conventional: Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Enterprising: Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
Investigative: Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Artistic: Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
Social: Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Work Style

Dependability: Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Attention to Detail: Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation: Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Self Control: Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Integrity: Job requires being honest and ethical.
Initiative: Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Leadership: Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Concern for Others: Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Adaptability/Flexibility: Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Persistence: Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.

Work Values

Support: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Relationships: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Working Conditions: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Independence: Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Achievement: Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
Recognition: Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.

Related Occupations

Logging Equipment Operators

Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators

Pile-Driver Operators

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators

Highway Maintenance Workers

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators

Mine Shuttle Car Operators

Lay Titles

Ballast Cleaning Machine Operator

Bridge Welder

Emergency Service Restorer

Line and Signal Technician

Machine Operator

Maintenance of Way Foreman

Oil Distributor Tender

Portable Grinding Machine Operator

Rail Maintenance Worker

Railroad Track Mechanic

Railway Equipment Operator

Section Crew Person

Section Gang

Section Hand

Section Laborer

Slab Lifting Supervisor

Special Equipment Operator

Stone Crusher Operator

Track Crew Member

Track Dresser

Track Equipment Operator (TEO)

Track Grinder Operator

Track Inspector

Track Laborer

Track Layer

Track Laying Equipment Operator

Track Laying Machine Operator

Track Machine Operator

Track Machine Operator Repairer

Track Maintainer

Track Man

Track Mechanic

Track Moving Machine Operator

Track Repair Person

Track Repairer

Track Service Person

Track Supervisor

Track Surfacing Machine Operator

Track Walker

Track Welder

Track Worker

Trackman

Way and Power Track Mechanic

National Wages and Employment Info

Median Wages (2008):: $22.08 hourly, $45,920 annual.

Employment (2008):: 16,870 employees