Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators

Tasks Include:

• 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.
• Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
• Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.

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