Rail Car Repairers: Career & Application Guide

What do rail car repairers do?

Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

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.
Test units for operability before and after repairs.
Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.

Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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