Who is a track layer and what do they do? Tracklayers carry out (mostly less qualified) work in construction, maintenance, repair and reconstruction of rails and other components of the railway track, the superstructure and bed of the rail lines, as well as similar activities on rails and tracks for municipal transport systems. Mostly it is a matter of dismantling, assembling or construction work.
What are the activities of the track layer job? Removing, installing or renewing sleepers – making or repairing concrete supports for underground lines – making or repairing joints between individual rails, drilling rails on site, bending them to the desired radius – exchange of junctions, insulation inlays and drawing tight the fixing bolts – adjusting rail spacing, alignment and levelling – cleaning gravel beds and ditches on railway or tram lines – assembling and disassembling switches or points – placing and maintenance of steel or concrete bridges and fly-over crossings – placing and fixing provisional bridge constructions – arranging, and maintenance of, track drainage systems – placing and arranging station platforms – placing station signs and similar indicators on platforms for municipal transport – checking the state of the assigned section of the track.
Where is it done and under what conditions? Along tram, railway or underground rail tracks and on associated constructions and therefore under varying weather conditions, sometimes dusty environments and possibly working at a height or on objects that are hard to get at.
What tools/equipment do they use? Hammers, levers, chisels, shovels, power picks, drills, belt transporters, lifting jacks, pulley blocks, push carts, motorised carts, loading and unloading mechanisms, containers etc.
What do you need to succeed? You need training and instruction on the job, specialised courses or vocational training, physical fitness, and rapid responses.