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.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

The 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.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to see details at a distance.

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to judge which of several objects is closer or farther away from you, or to judge the distance between you and an object.

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

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.

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Knowledge 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.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Giving 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.

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.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Office software

Timekeeping software

Claw bars

Crowbars

Gas-powered wrenches

Track-wrench machines

Jackhammers

Pneumatic hammers

Precision tape measures

Air-powered wrenches

Rail benders

Pesticide sprayers

Track chisels

Vernier calipers

Air purifying respirators

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Performing general physical activities includes doing activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Once a week or more but not every day

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?

Constant contact with others

Contact with others most of the time

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

How much responsibility is there for the health and safety of others in this job?

Very high responsibility

High responsibility

To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks physically close to other people?

Very close (near touching)

Moderately close (at arm's length)

How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

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 Leaders