Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

• Summary

• Details

Work Activities

• Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
• Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
• Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
• Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following 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.
• Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
• Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
• Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
• String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
• Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
• Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
• Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
• Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
• Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
• Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
• Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
• Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
• Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
• Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
• Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
• Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
• Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
• Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
• Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
• Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
• Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
• Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.

Skills

• Equipment Selection
  • Deciding what kind of tools and equipment are needed to do a job.
• Troubleshooting
  • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work.
• Mathematics
  • Using math to solve problems.
• Speaking
  • Talking to others.
• Learning Strategies
  • Using the best training or teaching strategies for learning new things.
• Persuasion
  • Talking people into changing their minds or their behavior.
• Operations Analysis
  • Figuring out what a product or service needs to be able to do.
• Monitoring
  • Keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements.
• Programming
  • Writing computer programs.
• Installation
  • Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs.
• Operation and Control
  • Using equipment or systems.
• Management of Financial Resources
  • Making spending decisions and keeping track of what is spent.
• Active Learning
  • Figuring out how to use new ideas or things.
• Critical Thinking
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
• Systems Evaluation
  • Measuring how well a system is working and how to improve it.
• Reading Comprehension
  • Reading work-related information.
• Science
  • Using scientific rules and strategies to solve problems.
• Social Perceptiveness
  • Understanding people's reactions.
• Complex Problem Solving
  • Noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
• Judgment and Decision Making
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one.
• Management of Personnel Resources
  • Selecting and managing the best workers for a job.
• Quality Control Analysis
  • Testing how well a product or service works.
• Repairing
  • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools.
• Writing
  • Writing things for co-workers or customers.
• Active Listening
  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
• Technology Design
  • Making equipment and technology useful for customers.
• Equipment Maintenance
  • Planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment.
• Operations Monitoring
  • Watching gauges, dials, or display screens to make sure a machine is working.
• Coordination
  • Changing what is done based on other people's actions.
• Negotiation
  • Bringing people together to solve differences.
• Instructing
  • Teaching people how to do something.
• Service Orientation
  • Looking for ways to help people.
• Systems Analysis
  • Figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it.
• Management of Material Resources
  • Managing equipment and materials.
• Time Management
  • Managing your time and the time of other people.

Abilities

• Glare Sensitivity
  • Seeing something even if there is a glare or very bright light.
• Peripheral Vision
  • Seeing something to your side when your are looking ahead.
• Fluency of Ideas
  • Coming up with lots of ideas.
• Finger Dexterity
  • Putting together small parts with your fingers.
• Explosive Strength
  • Jumping, sprinting, or throwing something.
• Multilimb Coordination
  • Using your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down.
• Near Vision
  • Seeing details up close.
• Stamina
  • Exercising for a long time without getting out of breath.
• Far Vision
  • Seeing details that are far away.
• Reaction Time
  • Quickly moving your hand, finger, or foot based on a sound, light, picture or other command.
• Spatial Orientation
  • Knowing where things are around you.
• Flexibility of Closure
  • Seeing hidden patterns.
• Memorization
  • Remembering words, numbers, pictures, or steps.
• Extent Flexibility
  • Bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Dynamic Flexibility
  • Quickly and repeatedly bending, stretching, twisting, or reaching out with your body, arms, and/or legs.
• Sound Localization
  • Noticing the direction that a sound came from.
• Oral Comprehension
  • Listening and understanding what people say.
• Oral Expression
  • Communicating by speaking.
• Category Flexibility
  • Grouping things in different ways.
• Manual Dexterity
  • Holding or moving items with your hands.
• Speech Clarity
  • Speaking clearly.
• Gross Body Equilibrium
  • Keeping your balance or staying upright.
• Visual Color Discrimination
  • Noticing the difference between colors, including shades and brightness.
• Speech Recognition
  • Recognizing spoken words.
• Written Expression
  • Communicating by writing.
• Originality
  • Creating new and original ideas.
• Deductive Reasoning
  • Using rules to solve problems.
• Inductive Reasoning
  • Making general rules or coming up with answers from lots of detailed information.
• Information Ordering
  • Ordering or arranging things.
• Static Strength
  • Lifting, pushing, pulling, or carrying.
• Number Facility
  • Adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing.
• Selective Attention
  • Paying attention to something without being distracted.
• Response Orientation
  • Quickly deciding if you should move your hand, foot, or other body part.
• Dynamic Strength
  • Exercising for a long time without your muscles getting tired.
• Trunk Strength
  • Using your lower back and stomach.
• Auditory Attention
  • Paying attention to one sound while there are other distracting sounds.
• Night Vision
  • Seeing at night or under low light.
• Hearing Sensitivity
  • Telling the difference between sounds.
• Depth Perception
  • Deciding which thing is closer or farther away from you, or deciding how far away it is from you.
• Gross Body Coordination
  • Moving your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving.
• Written Comprehension
  • Reading and understanding what is written.
• Speed of Closure
  • Quickly knowing what you are looking at.
• Arm-Hand Steadiness
  • Keeping your arm or hand steady.
• Problem Sensitivity
  • Noticing when problems happen.
• Perceptual Speed
  • Quickly comparing groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things.
• Rate Control
  • Changing when and how fast you move based on how something else is moving.
• Wrist-Finger Speed
  • Making fast, simple, repeated movements of your fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Speed of Limb Movement
  • Quickly moving your arms and legs.
• Control Precision
  • Quickly changing the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
• Mathematical Reasoning
  • Choosing the right type of math to solve a problem.
• Visualization
  • Imagining how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
• Time Sharing
  • Doing two or more things at the same time.

Knowledge

• Production and Processing
  • Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
• Computers and Electronics
  • Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• Mathematics
  • Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Chemistry
  • Knowledge of the chemical composition, structure, and properties of substances and of the chemical processes and transformations that they undergo. This includes uses of chemicals and their interactions, danger signs, production techniques, and disposal methods.
• Medicine and Dentistry
  • Knowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
• Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
• English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.
• Fine Arts
  • Knowledge of the theory and techniques required to compose, produce, and perform works of music, dance, visual arts, drama, and sculpture.
• Telecommunications
  • Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
• Economics and Accounting
  • Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking, and the analysis and reporting of financial data.
• Customer and Personal Service
  • 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.
• Personnel and Human Resources
  • Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
• Engineering and Technology
  • 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.
• Sociology and Anthropology
  • Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures, and their history and origins.
• Therapy and Counseling
  • Knowledge of principles, methods, and procedures for diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of physical and mental dysfunctions, and for career counseling and guidance.
• History and Archeology
  • Knowledge of historical events and their causes, indicators, and effects on civilizations and cultures.
• Public Safety and Security
  • 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.
• Law and Government
  • Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Transportation
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
• Food Production
  • Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
• Administration and Management
  • 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.
• Administrative
  • Knowledge of administrative and office procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and workplace terminology.
• Sales and Marketing
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
• Design
  • Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Building and Construction
  • Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
• Mechanical
  • Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
• Geography
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for describing the features of land, sea, and air masses, including their physical characteristics, locations, interrelationships, and distribution of plant, animal, and human life.
• Foreign Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of a foreign (non-English) language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar, and pronunciation.
• Philosophy and Theology
  • Knowledge of different philosophical systems and religions. This includes their basic principles, values, ethics, ways of thinking, customs, practices, and their impact on human culture.
• Communications and Media
  • Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.
• Physics
  • Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.
• Biology
  • Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Education

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Work Experience

No work experience

Training

1 to 12 months on-the-job training

Education and Training Opportunities

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Education and Training Opportunities

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Pay

Washington Annual Salary

64950/yr

Washington Hourly Wage

31.23/hr

Washington Employment Trends

Currently Employed

250

Yearly Projected Openings

20

Personality

Realistic: People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They do well at jobs that need:

• Cautiousness
• Attention to Detail
• Dependability

Tools

• Adjustable wrenches
• All terrain vehicles tracked or wheeled
• Backhoes
• Below the hook device
• Blow torch
• Bridge cranes
• Calipers
• Cold chisels
• Dollies
• Dump trucks
• Ear plugs
• Force or torque sensors
• Forklifts
• Global positioning system GPS receiver
• Graders
• Grease guns
• Hard hats
• Hedge clippers
• Impact wrenches
• Jacks
• Light trucks or sport utility vehicles
• Measuring tapes
• Notebook computers
• Picks
• Pipe bending tools
• Pneumatic drill
• Pneumatic hammer
• Pneumatic impact wrenches
• Portable data input terminals
• Power drills
• Power grinders
• Power saws
• Precision file
• Pressure or steam cleaners
• Protective gloves
• Pry bars
• Pullers
• Respirators
• Safety glasses
• Safety harnesses or belts
• Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machine
• Shovels
• Spot welding machine
• Sprayers
• Tampers
• Track bulldozers

Technology

• Enterprise resource planning ERP software
• Office suite software
• Spreadsheet software
• Time accounting software