Talk to your school counselor about programs and classes like woodworking that are offered at your school so you can start learning skills that will get you started in this field.

Find a class to jump-start your construction skills.

Search online for how-to videos to see how hard this work is to master--and whether it's something you think you'd like. Does seeing this kind of work in action make you more interested in trying it?

Watch tutorials on how to do this kind of work.

Explore the Federal Railroad Administration's website to learn more about what they do and what their principles are. Are you interested in working in this field?

Learn more about the Federal Railroad Administration.

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.

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.

Realistic

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.

Conventional

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.

Enterprising

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.

Investigative

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.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

First Interest High-Point

Second Interest High-Point

Third Interest High-Point

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Construction and Extraction Occupations

Other Construction and Related Workers

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.

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.

Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.

Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.

Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.

Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.

Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.

Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.

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.

Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.

Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.

Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.

Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.

String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.

Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.

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.

Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.

Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.

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.

Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.

Adjustable hand wrenches

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Overview

Career

What Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Do

Other Job Titles Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Overview

Career

What Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators Do

Other Job Titles Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers