Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.
Work Activities
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Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
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Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
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Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
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Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
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Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
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Test units for operability before and after repairs.
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Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
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Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.
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Disassemble units such as water pumps, control valves, and compressors so that repairs can be made.
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Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
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Measure diameters of axle wheel seats, using micrometers, and mark dimensions on axles so that wheels can be bored to specified dimensions.
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Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
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Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
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Test electrical systems of cars by operating systems and using testing equipment such as ammeters.
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Paint car exteriors, interiors, and fixtures.
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Install and repair interior flooring, fixtures, walls, plumbing, steps, and platforms.
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Replace defective wiring and insulation, and tighten electrical connections, using hand tools.
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Repair window sash frames, attach weather stripping and channels to frames, and replace window glass, using hand tools.
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Align car sides for installation of car ends and crossties, using width gauges, turnbuckles, and wrenches.
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Repair car upholstery.
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Repairing
Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
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Troubleshooting
Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
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Equipment Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
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Control Precision
The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
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Manual Dexterity
The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
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Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
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Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
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Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Education
High school diploma or equivalent
- Work Experience
No work experience
- Training
More than 1 year on-the-job training
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Looking for technical training programs?
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Realistic:
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
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Dependability
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Adaptability/Flexibility
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Attention to Detail
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Independence
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Innovation
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Cooperation
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Socket attachments and accessories
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Screwdrivers
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Railway lift table for engine and component
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Pry bars
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Hoists
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Inventory management software
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Internet browser software
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Document management software
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Data base user interface and query software
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Accounting software
