View occupational profile

Search the OaSIS

Railway track maintenance workers

OaSIS code 74200.02

Railway track maintenance workers operate machines and equipment to lay, maintain and repair railway tracks.

Overview

Also known as

  • Railway track maintenance equipment operator
  • Railway track maintenance worker
  • Railway track patroller
  • Railway track repairer
  • Railway trackman/woman

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Operate machines and equipment such as sleeper sliders, anchors, rail lifters, drag drills, drag diggers, rail saws and tie-bar cranes to lay, maintain, repair and align railway tracks to transfer, spread, level and tamp ballast around ties and rails and to clear snow from tracks
  • Clean and make minor repairs to machines and equipment
  • Patrol assigned track sections to identify and report damaged or broken track
  • Perform other track maintenance duties as directed.

Additional information

  • Progression to a position such as brakeman is possible with experience.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

  • Contractors and supervisors, heavy equipment operator crews (72021)
  • Supervisors, railway transport operations (72023)
  • Railway conductors and brakemen/women (73311)
  • Railway and motor transport labourers (75211)

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

7 – Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

TEER

4 – Occupations usually require a secondary school diploma; or several weeks of on-the-job training

Major group

74 – Mail and message distribution, other transport equipment operators and related maintenance workers

Sub-major group

742 – Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related workers

Minor group

7420 – Transport equipment operators, utility maintenance and related maintenance workers

Unit group

74200 – Railway yard and track maintenance workers

Occupational profile

74200.02 – Railway track maintenance workers

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Handling and Moving Objects
4 - High Level
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
4 - High Level
Performing General Physical Activities
4 - High Level
Controlling Machines and Processes
3 - Moderate Level
Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
3 - Moderate Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
3 - Moderate amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
2 - Between 35 to 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
4 - Close (at arm’s length)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
2 - Less than half the time
Standing
Duration
3 - About half the time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
4 - More than half the time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously
Duration
5 - All the time, or almost all the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
3 - Important
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously

Workplaces/employers

  • Railway transport companies

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Control of Settings
5 - Highest Level
Depth Perception
5 - Highest Level
Glare Tolerance
5 - Highest Level
Gross Body Coordination
5 - Highest Level
Multi-Limb Coordination
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Equipment and Tool Selection
3 - Moderate Level
Operation and Control
3 - Moderate Level
Preventative Maintenance
3 - Moderate Level
Quality Control Testing
3 - Moderate Level
Critical Thinking
2 - Low Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Adaptability
4 - Highly important
Collaboration
4 - Highly important
Active Learning
3 - Important
Analytical Thinking
3 - Important
Attention to Detail
3 - Important

Interests

The OaSIS uses the Holland Codes to describe the work-related interests. According to the Holland model, people work best in work environments that match their preferences, which means that people and work environments can be matched for a best fit. Occupational environments in Holland’s theory are described according to a combination of main interests and the activities they represent. There are six interests in the Holland typology: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising and Conventional. All occupations in OaSIS have up to three interests assigned to them.

Interests

Preferences for work environments and outcomes.

Interests profile: RC

Realistic (R)

Realistic occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail the explicit, ordered or systematic manipulation of objects, tools, machines and animals. Many of these occupations do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional (C)

Conventional occupations are characterized by the dominance of activities that entail following sets of procedures and routines. These activities may include systematic manipulation of data, such as keeping records, filing materials, reproducing materials, organizing written and numerical data according to a prescribed plan, and operating business and data processing. They often require following a clear line of authority and usually involve working with data and details more than with ideas.

Employment requirements

Employment requirements includes the education, training, certifications and the knowledge required to work in each occupation. The Knowledge category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency, and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of Knowledge descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Education, certification and licensing

  • Some secondary school education is usually required.
  • On-the-job training is provided
  • Railway yard workers require a Canadian Rail Operating Rules certificate.

Knowledge

Knowledge level
Vehicle, Machinery and Equipment Operations
3 - Advanced Level
Building and Construction
1 - Basic Level
Languages
1 - Basic Level
Manufacturing, Processing and Production
1 - Basic Level
Mathematics
1 - Basic Level

Skills for success

 
Skills for Success Model
 
Skills for Success are skills that help you in a quickly changing world. Everyone benefits from having these skills. They can help you to get a job, progress at your current job or even change jobs. The skills also help you become an active member of your community and succeed in learning.
 
 
Linkages Between ESDC Skills Models and Frameworks
 
ESDC makes available a dictionary of over 300 terms (or descriptors) and definitions, known as the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy (SCT). Descriptor information from the Taxonomy is used in the Occupational and Skills Information System (OaSIS).
 
While there is general commonality of meaning between the descriptors in the SCT and the Skills for Success model, there are some differences in their definitions due to their distinct purposes. The Skills for Success Model [9 broadly defined skills] identifies the skills that are universally applicable. The SCT displays specific skills and competency requirements for 900 occupations. Users of the Skills for Success Model and Essential Skills content may find competency information from the Taxonomy and the OaSIS to be complementary.
 
Stay tuned to this section for more information and updates regarding linkages between the Skills for Success model and the OaSIS.

O*NET in-it

This page includes information from the O*NET 27.2 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. Employment and Social Development Canada has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Date modified: