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