Railway Yard and Track Maintenance Workers

Nature of work

Railway yard workers regulate yard traffic, couple, and uncouple trains and perform related yard activities. Railway track maintenance workers use machines and equipment to lay, maintain and repair railway tracks. They work for railway transport companies.

Job duties

Railway yard and track maintenance workers:

• Use control panel switches from railway yard tower to set traffic signals and to activate train switches that regulate railway traffic in railway yards.
• Use car retarders, turntables, and track switches to align locomotives and cars as required for coupling, uncoupling, or servicing.
• Use machines and equipment to lay, maintain and repair railway tracks, align tracks, transfer, spread, level and tamp ballast around ties and rails and to clear snow from tracks.
• Switch cars according to instructions that indicate the location, disposition, and number of cars.
• Lubricate moving parts of railway cars and locomotives.
• Clean and repair machines and equipment.
• Patrol assigned track sections to identify and report damaged or broken track.
• Carry out other track maintenance duties as directed.

Sample job titles

• control tower operator - railway
• locomotive attendant - railway yard
• railway line inspector
• railway maintenance equipment operator
• railway signalperson
• railway track repairer
• yard worker - railway

Skills

• You should have good health, physical stamina, and strength. Agility, coordination, and a mechanical aptitude would be helpful. You must be able to work methodically, take direction, work as a member of a team, and carry out instructions given by supervisors. On occasion, protective clothing, goggles, and safety boots must be worn. In these jobs, you may be exposed to noise and fumes.

Job requirements

• Some high school education is usually required.
• Experience as a railway labourer is required.
• On the job training is provided
• Railway yard workers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

Other considerations

• Movement to a position like brakeman is possible with experience.

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