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Railway Equipment Repairers are skilled workers who build, maintain, and repair railroad cars, locomotives, signaling equipment, electric motors, generators, air compressors, valves, and other railroad equipment.

JOB DUTIES

Railway Equipment Repairers may:

Remove and inspect locomotive or car units, such as wheels, brake assemblies, side posts, air cylinders, and roof sections

Disassemble roller bearings

Examine bearings, seals, and gaskets for wear and replace worn parts and reassemble the roller bearings

Measure the diameter of axle wheel seats so that wheels can be bored to fit on them

Repair or replace wood and steel sections of cars

Assemble repaired or replaced units to rebuild locomotives or cars

The tools, equipment, and materials used may include:

OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTIES

Railway Equipment Repairers may specialize in these areas:

622.381-014 CAR REPAIRERS repair and rebuild railway freight cars, tank cars, or locomotives, following both federal and company regulations and specifications.

822.281-026 SIGNAL MAINTAINERS inspect, test, and repair electric gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment along the railroad tracks. These Repairers drive trucks along the track route to check equipment and make repairs as needed.

625.281-010 DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE REPAIRERS fix and maintain railroad diesel engines by diagnosing troubles then repairing or replacing parts.

825.261-010 ELECTRIC-TRACK-SWITCH MAINTAINERS install, inspect, and repair electrical-railway track switches, section lines, and intercommunication systems, following work orders and blueprints.

622.684-010 AIR-COMPRESSOR MECHANICS repair, inspect, and clean railroad car air compressors and compressor motors.

622.684-018 SWITCH REPAIRERS repair the mechanical portions of railway-track switches.

In addition to learning about these specialties, you may also find it helpful to explore the following MOIScripts:

WORKING CONDITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Car Repairers generally work under the supervision of a car repair supervisor in the shop or railroad yard. Experienced workers may supervise beginning Car Repairers. Car Repairers work outside in all kinds of weather and inside in repair shops. Repairers must be alert to prevent accidents from rolling freight cars and other moving equipment which present continual hazards.

Car Repairers usually work a 5-day, 40-hour week. Because railroads operate around the clock, Repairers may be required to work nights, holidays, and weekends, depending on seniority. When an emergency occurs, such as a derailment, all Repairers may work some overtime. Car Repairers with low seniority may be laid off during slow business periods.

Most Railway Equipment Repairers are members of the Brotherhood of Railway, Airline and Steamship Clerks, Freight Handlers, Express and Station Employees, Carmen Division or the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen. Machinists and Electricians may belong to special unions such as the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Those who belong to unions must pay dues.

You Should Prefer:

• Working with things and objects

• Using tools and machinery to repair things

• Seeing the physical results of your work

• Performing a variety of duties

• Doing work of short duration and following routine procedures

You Should Be Able To:

• Visualize how drawings and pictures would look as solid objects

• Follow spoken or written instructions

• Coordinate the use of eyes and hands rapidly and accurately

• Work within set limits or standards and work well with your hands

• Rate information using standards that can be measured or checked

Math Problem You Should Be Able to Solve:

If an axle wheel seat has a diameter of 5 centimeters, what is the area of it?

Reading Example You Should Be Able to Read and Comprehend:

Despite everyone's best efforts, however, accidents do sometimes occur. If you are involved in any accident while at work, report it to your supervisor immediately.

Writing Example You Should Be Able to Produce:

You should be able to write a report explaining any accident that might occur on the job.

Thinking Skill You Should Be Able to Demonstrate:

You should be able to decide if a given section of railroad is safe for travel.

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EDUCATION AND PREPARATION OPPORTUNITIES

NOTE: On-The-Job Training provided by the employer or a High School Diploma or Equivalent or a High School Diploma with specific Vocational Education Classes may qualify a person for this occupation.

The following education and preparation opportunities are helpful in preparing for occupations in the MOIScript:

***SCHOOL SUBJECTS***

0700 CAREERS , 0900 COMMUNICATIONS , 1200 ELECTRONICS , 2200 MATH , 3200 TECHNICAL DRAWING , 3300 TECHNOLOGY

***VOCATIONAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS***

037 INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR

Approved vocational education programs in Industrial Equipment Maintenance and Repair prepare students to maintain and overhaul bulldozers, cranes, graders, concrete mixers, and other large construction equipment. Instruction is given in inspection, maintenance, and repair of tracks, wheels, brakes, operating controls, engines, and in techniques of welding and brazing.

High school students should consult their guidance office for more information about the specific requirements of this program at their school or area vocational education center.

***POSTSECONDARY PROGRAMS***

There are no Postsecondary Programs related to this MOIScript

Search for a College and/or Instructional Program

***APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES***

There are no Apprenticeships related to this MOIScript

***MILITARY TRAINING PROGRAMS***

There are no Military Training Programs related to this MOIScript  

E-Learning Courses and Programs   

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OPPORTUNITIES FOR EXPERIENCE AND METHODS OF ENTRY

Secondary vocational education programs in industrial equipment maintenance and repair may offer a co-op position which includes practical experience. Individuals who are over 18 years of age may also gain experience by working as a railroad shop helper during summer vacations. Military service may offer opportunities for experience also.

School-to-Work opportunities include:

informal apprenticeships

mentorships

job shadowing experiences

touring a local Railway Equipment Repairer employer

internships

volunteer work with a Railway Equipment Repairer employer

community service work with an agency

Railway Equipment Repairers enter this occupation by applying directly to employers, and then entering a company-sponsored apprenticeship program which lasts 3-4 years. Persons who have been shop helpers may have shorter apprenticeships. Assistance in locating a job may be obtained from high school guidance counselors, newspaper want ads, or a local office of Michigan Works!. Although individuals might enter this occupation through apprenticeship training, currently no apprenticeship programs for this occupation are available in Michigan. In addition, you should access and search the Internet's on-line employment services sites such as:  

Burlington Northern Santa Fe ( http://www.bnsf.com )

Union Pacific Railroad ( http://www.up.com)

CSX Corporation ( http://www.csx.com/ )

Michigan Talent Bank

Michigan Jobs & Career Portal

Classifieds Employment   

Yahoo! Careers

MONSTER.COM     

You should also enter an electronic resume on these on-line services.

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EARNINGS AND ADVANCEMENT

The earnings of Railway Equipment Repairers vary according to the individual's trade, employer, geographic location, and union affiliation.

In Michigan and nationally, annual wages (1998) for several types of Railway Equipment Repairers were:

Most Repairers receive paid vacations and holidays; life, accident, and health insurance; and a retirement plan. Some also receive dental insurance coverage. These benefits are usually paid for by the employer.

Car Repairers may advance to car shop supervisor or other supervisory positions in their particular shop. Advancement depends largely on experience, training, seniority, and ability.

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EMPLOYMENT AND OUTLOOK

Nationally, it has been estimated that about 39,000 Railway Equipment Repairers were employed in 1996. Employment of Car Repairers is expected to decrease through the year 2006. However, some job openings will develop for new railway equipment apprentices or helpers as experienced workers retire, die, or transfer to other fields of work.

Approximately 850 Railway Equipment Repairers are employed in Michigan. They all worked within the railroad transportation industry for railroad companies.

Employment of Railway Equipment Repairers in Michigan is expected to decline through the year 2005. A few openings will still occur to replace those who retire, die, or leave the labor force for other reasons. Some openings will also occur as workers change jobs or occupations.

Increased car shop efficiency and the replacement of older railroad cars with newer, more durable, and more easily maintained cars have led to a lower demand for Railway Equipment Repairers. The continuing loss of passengers and freight to other forms of transportation has also caused a decline in the number of Railway Equipment Repairers.

MICHIGAN'S EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK TO 2005

SOURCES OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Printed Occupational information is available upon written request from the sources below.