Rail Car Repairers
What is a Rail Car Repairer?
Rail Car Repairers are skilled technicians responsible for maintaining and repairing freight and passenger rail cars to ensure they operate safely and efficiently. Their work involves inspecting rail cars for defects, diagnosing issues, and performing necessary repairs or replacements of components such as wheels, brakes, and electrical systems. These professionals utilize a variety of tools and machinery, including welding equipment and hand tools, to carry out their repairs. Rail Car Repairers must possess a strong understanding of safety regulations and procedures, as well as mechanical and electrical systems associated with rail vehicles. Additionally, they often collaborate with other maintenance crew members and must be able to interpret technical manuals and schematics. The role is essential for the reliability of rail transportation, ensuring that trains are in top condition before they are put back into service.
Tasks
- Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
- Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
- Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
- Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
- Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
Technology Skills
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
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Presentation software
- Microsoft PowerPoint
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Internet browser software
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
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Electronic mail software
- Microsoft Outlook
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Accounting software
- RailTech Software Systems Mars for the 21st Century
Tools Used
- Pry bars
- Screwdrivers
- Hoists
- Socket attachments and accessories
- Railway lift table for engine and component
Knowledge
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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.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Building and Construction
Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Skills
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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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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Abilities
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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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Multilimb Coordination
The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.
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Finger Dexterity
The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Associate's degree
Work Activities
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Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
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Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
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Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Detailed Work Activities
- Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
- Maintain repair or maintenance records.
- Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
- Inspect vehicles to determine overall condition.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$44140.0 - $88280.0
New job opportunities are likely in the future. : Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.