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O*NET-SOC 47-4061.00

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.

From O*NET 30.3

Tasks

From O*NET 30.3, by importance, as O*NET OnLine lists them

Free · O*NET 30.3
  1. Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.Core13643
  2. Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.Core13645
  3. Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.Core20798
  4. Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.Core13654
  5. Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.Core13655
  6. Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.Core13653
  7. String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.Supplemental13665
  8. Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.Core13648
  9. Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.Core13646
  10. Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.Core13651
  11. Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.Core13644
  12. Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.Core13658
  13. Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.Core13649
  14. Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.Core13650
  15. Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.Supplemental13656
  16. Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.Supplemental13659
  17. Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.Supplemental13661
  18. Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.Core13647
  19. Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.Core13657
  20. Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.Core13652
  21. Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.Core13660
  22. Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.Supplemental13662
  23. Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.Supplemental13664
  24. Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.Supplemental13666
  25. Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.Supplemental13667
  26. Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.Supplemental13663

Technology Skills

From O*NET 30.3, 3 examples in 3 categories, 2 Hot Technology

Free · O*NET 30.3

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft ExcelHot Technology

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office softwareHot Technology

Time accounting software

  • Timekeeping software

Detailed Work Activities

From O*NET 30.3, under their work activities; open one for the AI skills Workforce Automation maps to it

Free · O*NET 30.3

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

  • Verify alignment of structures or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Locate equipment or materials in need of repair or replacement.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Performing General Physical Activities

  • Clean equipment or facilities.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Spread sand, dirt or other loose materials onto surfaces.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Compact materials to create level bases.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Handling and Moving Objects

  • Drill holes in construction materials.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Apply paint to surfaces.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Apply sealants or other protective coatings.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Weld metal components.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Cut metal components for installation.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Cut wood components for installation.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Smooth surfaces with abrasive materials or tools.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Controlling Machines and Processes

  • Operate heavy-duty construction or installation equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Operate cranes, hoists, or other moving or lifting equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Repairing and Maintaining Electronic Equipment

  • Maintain mechanical equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet
  • Maintain construction tools or equipment.
    WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

    WFA (Workforce Automation) analysis: 0 of 0 AI skills mapped to this activity, by automation level

    • No tools yet
    • Not mapped yet

Job Zone

From O*NET 30.3

Free · O*NET 30.3

Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed

Workforce Automation analysis, not part of the source

WFA coverage: AI skills for this job

WFA · Part of the paid plan when accounts open

Pilot mapping: these skill links come from our seed list and haven’t been reviewed yet. Expect them to change as each one is checked.

DWAs covered by an AI skill0 of 16
Distinct tools0
Level mix
  • No tools yet

Equivalents

NICE work roles, with their DCWF equivalents

Mapped to this job by the ETO-CSET NICE/O*NET crosswalk (2024); roles from NICE Framework Components v2.2.0, DCWF equivalents from DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

Free · NICE Framework Components v2.2.0 and DoD DCWF Tool v5.3 (2026-09-25)

No NICE work role maps to this job.