Hundreds of trains carry people to and from work and across the country every day. Additional trains carry cargo from city to city. Railroad track workers are responsible for the tracks on which these trains ride. They must build, inspect, maintain, and repair the tracks so that they will always safely carry the trains on their journey.
Most track workers work in crews called road gangs. They work under a supervisor on a specific section of the railroad's track. Tracks and other properties of railroads are called the right of way. Some members of the crew constantly inspect the rails, railroad ties, and roadbeds for signs of wear. Other crew members repair the track. They lay rails and railroad ties, drive spikes, tighten bolts, and repair washed out roadbeds. They use power equipment such as spike driving machines and bulldozers as well as hand tools such as picks and shovels.
Regular track workers maintain the railroad's right of way throughout the year. In addition, extra crews are needed to repair large sections of track at certain times of the year, especially in the northern part of the country.
Workers must maintain and repair more than 300,000 miles of train track used by the railroads. Most track workers are employed in areas where a lot of track is used frequently. The railroads in the Chicago area employ the greatest number of railroad track workers.
Education and Training
Railroad track workers learn their skills through on the job training programs. You do not need a high school diploma to become a track worker. However, if you hope to become a railroad track supervisor some day, you should finish high school.
Applicants for the job of railroad track worker should be in good physical condition. In addition, they must know how to read and write. All railroad track workers must pass a physical examination before they can be hired for the job.
After being hired, you begin as a laborer and work on a 60 day probation basis. It generally takes several more months after the probation period to become proficient.
During the training period you work with experienced train crew members. They teach you how to make repairs on the track. In the course of your training, you may have the opportunity to learn how to use portable equipment such as tie tamping machines.
Getting the Job
You can apply directly to a railroad office for a job as a railroad track worker. Also ask the labor unions for job information.
Employment Outlook
One way experienced track workers advance is by becoming skilled in operating the machines used to repair the railroad right of way. Those with the highest seniority are the first to be offered such work. The best qualified track workers with the highest seniority may become track supervisors who oversee railroad track crews.
The employment outlook for railroad track workers is poor. The number of workers is expected to decline. Although there will be an increase in freight service, fewer jobs will be available because more and more track repair work can be done by machines. Still, there will be some openings each year to replace workers who retire or leave their jobs for other reasons.
Working Conditions
Railroad track workers spend almost all of their day outdoors. As a result, some work time may be lost because of poor weather. Occasionally, workers are hurt on the job by power tools and machines. The work is hard and requires much stooping and standing. Although many railroad track workers live at home, some travel to different places and live in trailers provided by the railroad. These railroad track workers belong to "floating crews." Whether they live at home or in a railroad camp, most regular railroad track workers work a standard 40 hour week. Some overtime work may be available. Extra crews, on the other hand, find seasonal work only and may have to live on unemployment insurance during the rest of the year. Many railroad track workers are unionized.
Earnings and Benefits
Railroad track workers make on average about $18,000 to $25,500 a year. Portable equipment operators average about $20,000 a year. Supervisors make about $14 to $18 an hour. Workers are paid higher wages for overtime work. Workers receive benefits such as paid vacations and sick leave, health and life insurance, and retirement plans.
