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