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Summary  •  Details  •  Custom

Rail Car Repairers - 49-3043.00

O*NET-SOC Description

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

Sample of Reported Job Titles

  • Rail Car Welder
  • Carman
  • Car Repairman
  • Rail Car Mechanic
  • Rail Car Repairer
  • Rail Car Maintenance Mechanic
  • Railroad Car Repairman
  • Rail Car Painter/Sandblaster
  • Rail Car Repairman
  • Air Brake Mechanic

SOC Occupation Groups

Related Occupations

Tasks

  • Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
  • Align car sides for installation of car ends and crossties, using width gauges, turnbuckles, and wrenches.
  • Disassemble units such as water pumps, control valves, and compressors so that repairs can be made.
  • Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
  • 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 in order to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
  • Install and repair interior flooring, fixtures, walls, plumbing, steps, and platforms.
  • Measure diameters of axle wheel seats, using micrometers, and mark dimensions on axles so that wheels can be bored to specified dimensions.
  • Paint car exteriors, interiors, and fixtures.
  • Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
  • 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.
  • Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.
  • Repair car upholstery.
  • Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
  • Repair window sash frames, attach weather stripping and channels to frames, and replace window glass, using hand tools.
  • Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
  • 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.
  • Test units for operability before and after repairs.

Detailed Work Activities

  • adhere to safety procedures
  • adjust or set mechanical controls or components
  • align or adjust clearances of mechanical components or parts
  • align or adjust clearances of vehicle body parts or components
  • align vehicle frame
  • assemble and install pipe sections, fittings, or plumbing fixtures
  • burn (cut), trim, or scarf metal objects
  • clean equipment or machinery
  • conduct tests to locate mechanical system malfunction
  • construct, erect, or repair wooden frameworks or structures
  • cut, shape, fit, or join wood or other construction materials
  • determine installation, service, or repair needed
  • diagnose mechanical problems in machinery or equipment
  • erect scaffold
  • examine locomotives or cars to detect damage or structural defects
  • examine vehicle to detect malfunctions, damage, or maintenance needed
  • fabricate sheet metal parts or items
  • fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
  • identify base metals for welding
  • inspect machinery or equipment to determine adjustments or repairs needed
  • install or replace glass in windows, skylights, or other structural surfaces
  • install shingles, tile, slate, asphalt, or related roofing materials
  • maintain or repair industrial or related equipment/machinery
  • maintain repair records
  • maintain welding machines or equipment
  • move or fit heavy objects
  • operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
  • operate vacuum or air hose
  • perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
  • read blueprints
  • read specifications
  • read tape measure
  • read technical drawings
  • read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
  • repair commercial transportation equipment
  • repair or replace electrical wiring, circuits, fixtures, or equipment
  • repair or replace malfunctioning or worn mechanical components
  • set up and operate variety of machine tools
  • test electrical/electronic wiring, equipment, systems or fixtures
  • test mechanical products or equipment
  • understand service or repair manuals
  • understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
  • use acetylene welding/cutting torch
  • use arc welding equipment
  • use basic carpentry techniques
  • use basic plumbing techniques
  • use combination welding procedures
  • use electronic calibration devices
  • use hand or power tools
  • use hand or power woodworking tools
  • use knowledge of welding filler rod types
  • use machine tools in installation, maintenance, or repair
  • use measuring devices in repairing industrial or heavy equipment
  • use precision measuring devices in mechanical repair work
  • use turnbuckle in structural repair or assembly work
  • use voltmeter, ammeter, or ohmmeter
  • weld together metal parts, components, or structures

Military Crosswalk Titles

  • Railway Car Repairer (RC) (Army - Enlisted)
  • Railway Equipment Repairer (RC) (Army - Enlisted)

Apprenticeship Crosswalk Titles

  • Car Repairer
  • Mechanical-Unit Repairer
  • Mine-Car Repairer

DOT Crosswalk Titles

  • Air-Compressor Mechanic
  • Brake Repairer, Railroad
  • Car Repairer
  • Car Repairer, Pullman
  • Car-Repairer Apprentice
  • Mechanical-Unit Repairer
  • Mine-Car Repairer
  • Streetcar Repairer