Rail Car Repairers Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Rail Car Repairers

The main tasks and work activities of Rail Car Repairers are to repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts, replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts, inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning, maintain repair or maintenance records. In general, for the Rail Car Repairers, repairing, troubleshooting, equipment Maintenance, operation Monitoring and other 6 skills are required.

Rail Car Repairers Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Rail Car Repairers jobs. 61.41% of Rail Car Repairers have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 37.62% of Rail Car Repairers have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

61.41%

Post-Secondary Certificate

37.62%

Some College Courses

0.00%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

0.96%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Rail Car Repairers

Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
Test units for operability before and after repairs.
Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
Inspect the interior and exterior of rail cars coming into rail yards to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.
Disassemble units such as water pumps, control valves, and compressors so that repairs can be made.
Measure diameters of axle wheel seats, using micrometers, and mark dimensions on axles so that wheels can be bored to specified dimensions.
Align car sides for installation of car ends and crossties, using width gauges, turnbuckles, and wrenches.
Replace defective wiring and insulation, and tighten electrical connections, using hand tools.
Test electrical systems of cars by operating systems and using testing equipment such as ammeters.
Install and repair interior flooring, fixtures, walls, plumbing, steps, and platforms.
Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
Paint car exteriors, interiors, and fixtures.
Repair car upholstery.
Repair window sash frames, attach weather stripping and channels to frames, and replace window glass, using hand tools.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialInspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentRunning, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
Handling and Moving ObjectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkDeveloping specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
Controlling Machines and ProcessesUsing either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Repair worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Replace worn, damaged, or defective mechanical parts.
Inspect completed work to ensure proper functioning.
Maintain repair or maintenance records.
Remove parts or components from equipment.
Inspect mechanical components of vehicles to identify problems.
Inspect vehicles to determine overall condition.
Adjust equipment to ensure optimal performance.
Service vehicles to maintain functionality.
Clean equipment, parts, or tools to repair or maintain them in good working order.
Install vehicle parts or accessories.
Repair non-engine automotive or vehicle components.
Fabricate parts or components.
Repair electronic equipment.
Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.
Measure distances or dimensions.
Align equipment or machinery.
Rewire electrical or electronic systems.
Test electrical equipment or systems to ensure proper functioning.
Repair structural components.

Skills and Abilities for Rail Car Repairers

RepairingRepairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
TroubleshootingDetermining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
Equipment MaintenancePerforming routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
Operation MonitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Quality Control AnalysisConducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Operation and ControlControlling operations of equipment or systems.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Control PrecisionThe ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.
Manual DexterityThe ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
Arm-Hand SteadinessThe ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Multilimb CoordinationThe 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.
Finger DexterityThe ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Reaction TimeThe ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.
Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Trunk StrengthThe ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Static StrengthThe ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Extent FlexibilityThe ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
Hearing SensitivityThe ability to detect or tell the differences between sounds that vary in pitch and loudness.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
Visual Color DiscriminationThe ability to match or detect differences between colors, including shades of color and brightness.

Adjustable wrenchese.g. Adjustable hand wrenches
Pry barse.g. Aligning pry bars
Shielded metal arc welding or stick welding machinee.g. Arc welders
Railway or tramway maintenance or service vehiclee.g. Automated car movers
Brake testere.g. Automatic air brake testers
Ball peen hammere.g. Ball peen hammers
Wheel balancing equipmente.g. Bearing dismounting presses
Bearing fitting tool kitse.g. Bearing presses
Railway rolling stock lifting jacke.g. Bogie testing benches
Hoistse.g. Car hoists
Squarese.g. Combination squares
Combination wrenchese.g. Combination wrenches
Pullerse.g. Cotter pin pullers
Blow torche.g. Cutting torches
Diagonal cut plierse.g. Diagonal-cutting pliers
Cold chiselse.g. Flat cold chisels
Screwdriverse.g. Flat head screwdrivers
Jib cranee.g. Floor-mounted jib cranes
Cleaning scraperse.g. Gasket scrapers
Jackse.g. Intermodal car jacks

MechanicalKnowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Production and ProcessingKnowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
DesignKnowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Administration and ManagementKnowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
Building and ConstructionKnowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
Engineering and TechnologyKnowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
TransportationKnowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Rail Car Repairers Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Rail Car Repairers

Skills and Abilities for Rail Car Repairers