Rail Car Repairers

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Installation, Maintenance & Repair
• O*NET-SOC code: 49-3043
• O*NET job zone: 2 — some preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• 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.
• Paint car exteriors, interiors, and fixtures.
• Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Disassembler software, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Mozilla Firefox, Adjustable hand wrenches, Aligning pry bars, Arc welders

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists
• Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics
• Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines
• Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
• Maintenance Workers, Machinery
• Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
• Industrial Machinery Mechanics
• Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 2 (some preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

Browse the verified job sources directory, or explore more occupations.

Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Rail Car Repairers — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.