RAIL CAR REPAIRER

Job Definition:

Job Description:

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

Duties and Tasks:

• 1) Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
• 2) Disassemble units such as water pumps, control valves, and compressors so that repairs can be made.
• 3) Examine car roofs for wear and damage, and repair defective sections, using roofing material, cement, nails, and waterproof paint.
• 4) Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.
• 5) 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.
• 6) Install and repair interior flooring, fixtures, walls, plumbing, steps, and platforms.
• 7) Paint car exteriors, interiors, and fixtures.
• 8) Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
• 9) Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.
• 10) Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
• 11) Repair window sash frames, attach weather stripping and channels to frames, and replace window glass, using hand tools.
• 12) Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
• 13) Replace defective wiring and insulation, and tighten electrical connections, using hand tools.
• 14) Test electrical systems of cars by operating systems and using testing equipment such as ammeters.
• 15) Test units for operability before and after repairs.
• 16) Align car sides for installation of car ends and crossties, using width gauges, turnbuckles, and wrenches.
• 17) Measure diameters of axle wheel seats, using micrometers, and mark dimensions on axles so that wheels can be bored to specified dimensions.
• 18) Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.
• 19) Remove locomotives, car mechanical units, or other components, using pneumatic hoists and jacks, pinch bars, hand tools, and cutting torches.
• 20) Repair car upholstery.

Activities:

• 1) Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment — Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.
• 2) Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• 3) Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• 4) Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• 5) Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Abilities:

• Manual Dexterity — The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.

Knowledge

• Mechanical — Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
• Engineering and Technology — Knowledge 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.