Will “Track Layer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔
89% Chance of Automation
“Track Layer” 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 Grinder Operator
- Track Dresser
- Stone Crusher Operator
- Slab Lifting Supervisor
- Section Laborer
- Section Hand
- 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 “Track Layer”
- Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
- Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
- Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
- Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
- Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
- Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
- Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
- Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
- Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
- Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
- Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
- Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
- Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
- Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
- Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.
- Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.
- Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
- Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
- Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
- Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
- String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.
- Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
- Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
- Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
- Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
Related Technology & Tools
- Precision tape measures
- Hard hats
- Shovels
- Rail benders
- Handheld computers
- Air drills
- Crowbars
- Safety glasses
- Claw bars
- Air-powered wrenches
- Gas-powered wrenches
- Pesticide sprayers
- Shielded arc welding tools
- Dollies
- Pneumatic hammers
- Jackhammers
- Grease guns
- Tamping machines
- Rail tongs
- Welders
- Track-wrench machines
- Global positioning system GPS receivers
- Power grinders
- Tracked bulldozers
- Protective ear plugs
- Forklifts
- Backhoes
- Power washers
- Safety gloves
- Air purifying respirators
- Picks
- Spike pullers
- Hydraulic jacks
- Hi-rail vehicles
- Rail-mounted cranes
- Dump trucks
- Fall protection harnesses
- Vernier calipers
- Grading equipment
- Adjustable hand wrenches
- Rail saws
- Precision files
- Portable track loading fixtures
- Laptop computers
- Oxyacetylene torches
- Weed cutters
- Rail drills
- Light pickup trucks
- Rail profile grinders
- Track chisels
- Data entry software
- Timekeeping software
- Microsoft Excel