Rail-Track Equipment Operator
- Ideal for those who love working outdoors and hands-on problem-solving.
- Ensure safe and efficient rail transport by maintaining and repairing tracks.
- Operate specialized machinery to keep railways running smoothly and safely.
💰 Earn $62K-$82K
📚 High School Diploma or GED
Overview
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.Scoop
High School Diploma or GED
Good (Increasing by 1-5%)
Day-to-Day
- 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.
Best For You If...
You are skilled in 💫
- Judgment and Decision Making
- Management of Personnel Resources
- Coordination
- Critical Thinking
- Speaking
- Monitoring
You value 🙏
- Having support
- Job security
- Personal relationships
In Action
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Rail-Track Equipment Operator
This short video gives an overview of what this career is all about.
Pathways to this Career
Here are few pathways you can take to become a Rail-Track Equipment Operator. Click on a pathway to learn more about it.