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U.S. Dept. of Labor code 47-4061.00Market Standard — pending BLS/OEWS enrichment

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.

What this job is about

Ensure the safe and efficient maintenance of railroad tracks.

What this work involves, step by step

AI can help most with the planning, drafting, and paperwork below — not the hands-on parts.

  1. 1

    Patrol assigned track sections

    Locate and report any damaged or broken track.

  2. 2

    Repair track switches

    Use wrenches and replacement parts to adjust or fix switches.

  3. 3

    Weld track sections

    Join sections of track together, including switch points and frogs.

  4. 4

    Operate spike driving machines

    Drive spikes into ties to secure rails in place.

  5. 5

    Lubricate and maintain equipment

    Change oil and fill hydraulic reservoirs to keep machines operational.

Tools used in this work
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office software

Free — no credit card required. 200 messages included.