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47-4061.00 · Task explorer

Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators: reported tasks and exploration worksheet

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.

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This source lists 26 tasks, including 21 marked Core and 5 marked Supplemental. Labels and dates are retained below. Employers can combine or divide these responsibilities differently; explore the task itself before assuming it belongs in every version of the role.

Task source dates: 08/2026.

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26 tasks shown

Core · Task 13645 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Repair or adjust track switches, using wrenches and replacement parts.

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Core · Task 13643 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Patrol assigned track sections so that damaged or broken track can be located and reported.

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Core · Task 13656 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Engage mechanisms that lay tracks or rails to specified gauges.

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Core · Task 13648 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Cut rails to specified lengths, using rail saws.

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Core · Task 13655 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate single- or multiple-head spike driving machines to drive spikes into ties and secure rails.

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Core · Task 13653 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate track wrenches to tighten or loosen bolts at joints that hold ends of rails together.

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Core · Task 13649 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Raise rails, using hydraulic jacks, to allow for tie removal and replacement.

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Core · Task 13646 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Lubricate machines, change oil, or fill hydraulic reservoirs to specified levels.

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Core · Task 13651 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Drill holes through rails, tie plates, or fishplates for insertion of bolts or spikes, using power drills.

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Core · Task 13661 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Drive vehicles that automatically move and lay tracks or rails over sections of track to be constructed, repaired, or maintained.

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Core · Task 13644 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean tracks or clear ice or snow from tracks or switch boxes.

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Core · Task 13647 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Dress and reshape worn or damaged railroad switch points or frogs, using portable power grinders.

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Core · Task 13657 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean or make minor repairs to machines or equipment.

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Core · Task 13654 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Observe leveling indicator arms to verify levelness and alignment of tracks.

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Core · Task 13660 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate single- or multiple-head spike pullers to pull old spikes from ties.

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Core · Task 13652 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Grind ends of new or worn rails to attain smooth joints, using portable grinders.

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Core · Task 13658 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Clean, grade, or level ballast on railroad tracks.

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Core · Task 20798 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Weld sections of track together, such as switch points and frogs.

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Core · Task 13663 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Spray ties, fishplates, or joints with oil to protect them from weathering.

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Core · Task 13665 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

String and attach wire-guidelines machine to rails so that tracks or rails can be aligned or leveled.

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Core · Task 13664 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Push controls to close grasping devices on track or rail sections so that they can be raised or moved.

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Supplemental · Task 13650 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Adjust controls of machines that spread, shape, raise, level, or align track, according to specifications.

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Supplemental · Task 13667 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Paint railroad signs, such as speed limits or gate-crossing warnings.

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Supplemental · Task 13659 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Drive graders, tamping machines, brooms, or ballast spreading machines to redistribute gravel or ballast between rails.

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Supplemental · Task 13662 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Turn wheels of machines, using lever controls, to adjust guidelines for track alignments or grades, following specifications.

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Supplemental · Task 13666 · 08/2026 · Incumbent

Operate tie-adzing machines to cut ties and permit insertion of fishplates that hold rails.

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Make the shortlist useful

Choose one to three activities that tell you something different about the work. Avoid selecting several ways of describing the same interest.
For each, write an example you can discuss or a question that would change your understanding of the role.
Keep source task IDs with your notes so you can return to the same description. Do not include private employer or customer information.

The exported worksheet distinguishes the reported task from your own notes. It supports exploration, not a hiring decision or a validated assessment.

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Source and practice material

Occupational context uses the O*NET® 31.0 Database from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0. View the occupation.

Skill Workbench selected and adapted the occupational information and added its own fictional cases, calculations, guidance and worksheets. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.