What You'll Do

  • 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.

Essential Skills

Operations Monitoring 3.75/5
Operation and Control 3.75/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.25/5
Troubleshooting 3.25/5
Critical Thinking 3.12/5
Monitoring 3.12/5
Coordination 3.12/5
Repairing 3.12/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Judgment and Decision Making 3.0/5
Time Management 3.0/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to sense whether the day to day rhythm and focus of this path line up with what energizes you.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Concern for Others, Cooperation, Attention to Detail, Integrity

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Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Control Precision 3.88/5
Manual Dexterity 3.75/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.75/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.62/5
Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.62/5
Reaction Time 3.62/5
Far Vision 3.62/5
Flexibility of Closure 3.38/5

Technologies & Tools

Enterprise resource planning ERP software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Timekeeping software

Work Environment & Style

Common Styles for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.11/5)
  • Concern for Others (High importance: 3.85/5)
  • Cooperation (High importance: 3.83/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 3.82/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.81/5)

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How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Ballast Cleaning Machine Operator Emergency Service Restorer Machine Operator Maintenance Laborer Oil Distributor Tender Portable Grinding Machine Operator Rail Maintenance Worker Rail Track Layer Rail Track Maintainer Railroad Track Mechanic Railway Equipment Operator Section Hand Section Laborer Special Equipment Operator Stone Crusher Operator Track Dresser Track Equipment Operator (TEO) Track Grinder Operator Track Inspector Track Laborer Track Layer Track Laying Equipment Operator Track Laying Machine Operator Track Machine Operator Track Machine Operator Repairer Track Maintainer Track Man Track Mechanic Track Moving Machine Operator Track Repair Person Track Repair Worker Track Repairer Track Service Person Track Service Worker Track Surfacing Machine Operator Track Walker Track Welder Track Worker Trackman Trackwalker