How do they match: Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

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.

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.
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.
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
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.
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.

Was this page helpful?

Site updated November 19, 2024

1 O*NET-SOC Title