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Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Occupation Detailed Description

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

The main tasks and work activities of Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators are to locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement, clean equipment or facilities, maintain mechanical equipment, maintain construction tools or equipment. In general, for the Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators, operation Monitoring, operation and Control, troubleshooting, equipment Maintenance and other 9 skills are required.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Job Description
EducationThese occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related ExperienceSome previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job TrainingEmployees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
ExampleThese occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators jobs. 90.22% of Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and .
Less than a High School Diploma
9.78%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
90.22%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
0.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
0.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

  • 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 wrenches 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.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesPerforming 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.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsUsing relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
  • Clean equipment or facilities.
  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
  • Cut metal components for installation.
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
  • Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
  • Drill holes in construction materials.
  • Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
  • Compact materials to create level bases.
  • Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.
  • Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
  • Cut wood components for installation.
  • Apply paint to surfaces.
  • Weld metal components.

Skills and Abilities for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

  • Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  • RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
  • Multilimb CoordinationThe 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.
  • Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
  • Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
  • Problem SensitivityThe 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 SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
  • Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
  • Depth PerceptionThe ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
  • Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
  • Rate ControlThe ability to time your movements or the movement of a piece of equipment in anticipation of changes in the speed and/or direction of a moving object or scene.
  • Response OrientationThe ability to choose quickly between two or more movements in response to two or more different signals (lights, sounds, pictures). It includes the speed with which the correct response is started with the hand, foot, or other body part.
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
  • Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
  • Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Pneumatic drille.g. Air drills
  • Respiratorse.g. Air purifying respirators
  • Pneumatic impact wrenchese.g. Air-powered wrenches
  • Backhoese.g. Backhoes
  • Pry barse.g. Claw bars
  • Pry barse.g. Crowbars
  • Dolliese.g. Dollies
  • Dump truckse.g. Dump trucks
  • Safety harnesses or beltse.g. Fall protection harnesses
  • Forkliftse.g. Forklifts
  • Impact wrenchese.g. Gas-powered wrenches
  • Global positioning system GPS receivere.g. Global positioning system GPS receivers
  • Graderse.g. Grading equipment
  • Grease gunse.g. Grease guns
  • Portable data input terminalse.g. Handheld computers
  • Hard hatse.g. Hard hats
  • All terrain vehicles tracked or wheelede.g. Hi-rail vehicles
  • Jackse.g. Hydraulic jacks
  • Pneumatic hammere.g. Jackhammers
  • TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  • MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  • Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  • Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge 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.
  • Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.