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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Also called: Track Inspector, Track Laborer, Track Maintainer, Track Repairer

What they do:

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.

On the job, you would:
  • Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
  • Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
  • Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
On the job, you'll need:

Transportation

  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Engineering and Technology

  • mechanical
  • building and construction

Safety and Government

  • public safety and security

Business

  • management

Basic Skills

  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • hold or move items with your hands
  • keep your arm or hand steady

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Visual Understanding

  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things

Spatial

  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

  • Dependability
  • Attention to Detail
  • Concern for Others
  • Cooperation
  • Integrity
  • Adaptability/Flexibility

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software

Time accounting software

  • Timekeeping software

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $63,230

Education

High school diploma/GED is usually needed.

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