Will “Track Maintainer” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

89% Chance of Automation

“Track Maintainer” will probably be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #528 out of #702, where higher means 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…

Tasks for “Track Maintainer”

Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.
Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.
Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.
Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.
Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.
Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.
Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.
Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.
Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.
Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.
Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.
Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.
Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.
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.
Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.
Operate track-wrench machines to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.
Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.
Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.
Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.
Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.
Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.
Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.
Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.
Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.
String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.

Related Technology & Tools

Safety gloves
Air purifying respirators
Protective ear plugs
Rail saws
Rail drills
Hi-rail vehicles
Dump trucks
Rail benders
Fall protection harnesses
Rail tongs
Jackhammers
Rail-mounted cranes
Adjustable hand wrenches
Portable track loading fixtures
Track chisels
Power grinders
Crowbars
Claw bars
Global positioning system GPS receivers
Tamping machines
Forklifts
Handheld computers
Light pickup trucks
Power washers
Air-powered wrenches
Pesticide sprayers
Picks
Hydraulic jacks
Welders
Tracked bulldozers
Rail profile grinders
Shielded arc welding tools
Precision files
Gas-powered wrenches
Dollies
Grease guns
Vernier calipers
Track-wrench machines
Grading equipment
Air drills
Backhoes
Shovels
Laptop computers
Hard hats
Oxyacetylene torches
Spike pullers
Precision tape measures
Pneumatic hammers
Weed cutters
Safety glasses

Timekeeping software
Data entry software
Microsoft Excel