Position Summary
The Track Foreman position will be required to work safely and efficiently. The focus will be to inspect, repair, and maintain the railroad track infrastructure to ensure safe and efficient service to our customers. This is a manual labor position, which requires that the individual becomes proficient in the following skills, duties, and requirements within a prescribed training and introductory period.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Inspect, unload, load, distribute, pick-up, install cross ties, switch ties, other track material and ballast.
- Inspect, unload, distribute, load, pick-up, install, grind, and transpose rail.
- Inspect, load, unload, distribute, pick-up, remove, construct, maintain and repair turnouts.
- Inspect, patrol, construct, install, retire, remove, surface, gauge, line and shift track.
- Inspect, protect, flag, construct, install, maintain, and repair road crossings.
- Inspect, protect, flag, construct, install, maintain, repair, paint, renew and replace bridges.
- Inspect, protect, flag, maintain, repair and construct culverts and tunnels.
- Inspect, dismantle, remove, maintain, repair and paint station facilities.
- Inspect, test, maintain, repair, construct and install scales.
- Inspect, remove, maintain, repair, construct, and install right of way, sand and snow fences.
- Inspect, construct, install, maintain, clean and paint signs.
- Cut and dispose of vegetation.
- Clean debris from switches.
- Remove snow or other foreign materials from track infrastructure.
- Accurate and timely reporting as required
- Read and accurately interpret company documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions and federal and state regulations.
- Communicate professionally and effectively.
- Must acquire a comprehensive understanding of track authority.
- Comply with performance metrics measurements and deadlines.
- Practice safe work habits and follow company and industry policies, procedures and regulations.
- Respond promptly to any accident, incident or emergency call.
- Read gauges, precision measuring instruments, schematics and maintenance manuals 100% of the time.
- Performs other duties that may be assigned.
- Track Foreman receive detailed instructions which spell out the area to work, defects to look for, and repairs to make. They are expected to know and select the appropriate tools for the planned repairs. They may select the type and quantity of some repair materials based on a supervisor’s instructions or use materials delivered to the worksite.
- Track Foreman will supervise and provide instruction to track laborers in performing track work safely.
- Track Foreman shall have their work checked or inspected both in progress and upon completion. Although most work is performed in accordance with standard, frequently used procedures (or under close guidance), Track Foreman are relied upon to remain aware of the possible consequences of rail failures, to report newly found defects, and to follow all safety regulations and practices.
Requirements and Experience:
- High school education or general education development (GED).
- 3 to 6 months job-related experience; or equivalent of education and experience.
- Valid driver’s license with no restrictions
- Ability to pass training and required testing.
- Must be 18 years of age or older.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Pass required Training and exams on Company Safety Rules, Track Safety Standards, Roadway Worker Protection and General Code of Operating Rules.
- Knowledge of tie insertion and removal techniques, tie spacing, and tie tamping.
- Knowledge of normal track width, level, and alignment on straight sections, knowledge of switch stand operation, lubrication, and adjustment including the proper condition and appearance of the moveable rail and the guard rail.
- Knowledge of normal joint location, bolting requirements, and use of rail anchors.
- Knowledge of normal drainage, ballast firmness, and general elevation of straight track and simple curves.
- Knowledge of common defects, such as broken rail, crushed head, broken base, rotted tie, loose spikes, and unfirm ballast sufficient to determine whether minor repairs (such as switching spikes, plugging holes, tightening bolts, adding gage rods, or firming ballast) will likely be sufficient; and Skill in using rail gages and level boards to maintain proper distance between rails and to keep rails level with each other; skill in visually detecting low spots or high spots in angle sections and in visually detecting out-of-line track.
Work Environment:
- Track Foreman typically work outside, often in seasonal temperature and weather extremes and are subject to the following conditions: loud machinery, hot equipment, fumes from creosote, insect sprays, and smoke, hazardous footing, dirt, grease, oil and insects. They will wear protective gloves, steel-toe shoes, safety glasses, and other similar personal protective equipment, some of which may be uncomfortable and worn for long periods.
Machines, Tools, Special Equipment, Personal Protective Equipment Used:
- pneumatic tampers, gasoline powered rail saw or drill, spike puller, grinder, spike driver, and large power wrench. (This is in addition to the use of common railroad repair nonpower tools which may be used by track laborers and which the repairers should be skilled in using, such as: spike maul or adz; claw bar, tamping bar, wrenches, lining bar, track chisel, hand file, rail drill, rail bender, rail saw, rail tongs, tie tongs, and track punch.
- PPE; hard hat, vest, safety glasses, FR clothing, gloves, steel toed boots
Physical Demands:
- Track Foreman perform extremely strenuous work for long periods. For example, they frequently lift and carry tools and equipment weighing over 50 pounds or exert comparable effort in moving and positioning railroad track components. Their work involves frequent or continuous bending, reaching, pushing, kneeling, lifting, and similar body and limb movement.