Will “Section Hand” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
89% Chance of Automation
“Section Hand” will probably be replaced by robots.
This job is ranked #528 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.
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Job Description
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.
Job Details
- The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 47-4061.00
- The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 52,810.00
- The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 25.00
- Currently, there are 14,250 people on this job
☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators”.
Also Known As…
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators
- Trackman
- Track Walker
- Track Supervisor
- Track Repairer
- Track Maintainer
- Track Laborer
- Track Inspector
- Track Equipment Operator (TEO)
- Rail Maintenance Worker
- Machine Operator
- Trackwalker
- Track Welder
- Track Surfacing Machine Operator
- Track Service Worker
- Track Service Person
- Track Repair Worker
- Track Repair Person
- Track Moving Machine Operator
- Track Mechanic
- Track Man
- Track Machine Operator Repairer
- Track Laying Machine Operator
- Track Laying Equipment Operator
- Track Layer
- Track Grinder Operator
- Track Dresser
- Stone Crusher Operator
- Slab Lifting Supervisor
- Section Laborer
- Section Gang
- Railway Equipment Operator
- Railroad Track Mechanic
- Rail Track Maintainer
- Rail Track Layer
- Portable Grinding Machine Operator
- Operator
- Oil Distributor Tender
- Emergency Service Restorer
- Ballast Cleaning Machine Operator
Tasks for “Section Hand”
- Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
- Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
- String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
- Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
- Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
- Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
- Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
- Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
- Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
- Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
- Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
- Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
- Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
- Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
- Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
- Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
- Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
- Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
- Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
- 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.
- Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
- Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
- Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
Related Technology & Tools
- Grease guns
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Hi-rail vehicles
- Weed cutters
- Dollies
- Power washers
- Rail saws
- Air drills
- Handheld computers
- Track chisels
- Shielded arc welding tools
- Rail drills
- Claw bars
- Portable track loading fixtures
- Crowbars
- Safety gloves
- Protective ear plugs
- Hydraulic jacks
- Fall protection harnesses
- Gas-powered wrenches
- Air-powered wrenches
- Backhoes
- Grading equipment
- Spike pullers
- Jackhammers
- Vernier calipers
- Tamping machines
- Rail-mounted cranes
- Power grinders
- Laptop computers
- Forklifts
- Tracked bulldozers
- Air purifying respirators
- Track-wrench machines
- Safety glasses
- Rail profile grinders
- Dump trucks
- Oxyacetylene torches
- Hard hats
- Precision files
- Pesticide sprayers
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Rail tongs
- Pneumatic hammers
- Welders
- Light pickup trucks
- Picks
- Rail benders
- Precision tape measures
- Shovels
- Timekeeping software
- Microsoft Excel
- Data entry software