The platelayer's task was to oversee a specific stretch of railway. The stretch was patrolled before and after each train passed. The platelayer kept an eye out for rail breaks, sun kinks, fallen trees, and boulders. They shooed away livestock and ensured people stayed away from the tracks.

During the early railway era, the platelayer would "post" for each train – standing at attention with the red flag rolled up beside the right side. At night, a white light signalling "all clear" was shown with a hand signalling lantern.

Over time, the work became less about surveillance and more about maintenance: replacing sleepers, re-nailing, track alignment, repairing fences and gates, clearing weeds and debris on the embankment, in culverts, and ditches.

As natural benefits, free housing and fuel were included, as well as the right to use railway land for grazing. In 1920, a new salary regulation was introduced. The natural benefits were removed, and instead, the salary was raised.

The term "platelayer" was abolished in 1962 when the work organization changed. The work changed from need-based to planned maintenance. Platelayers became repairmen or inspectors. Many platelayers continued to rent platelayer's cottages as residences. However, work crews were dispatched from the larger stations and transported to the workplace by motor trolley or car.

Platelayer's cottages were often located at level crossings. In that case, the platelayer's wife could operate the gate and close it for each train. For this, the platelayer (in the late 1800s) received an extra 36 kronor per year. The wife herself received nothing.