What You'll Do

  • Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.
  • Test units for operability before and after repairs.
  • 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.
  • 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 to identify defects and to determine the extent of wear and damage.
  • Adjust repaired or replaced units as needed to ensure proper operation.
  • Perform scheduled maintenance, and clean units and components.
  • Repair, fabricate, and install steel or wood fittings, using blueprints, shop sketches, and instruction manuals.
  • Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems.

Essential Skills

Troubleshooting 4.0/5
Repairing 4.0/5
Equipment Maintenance 3.75/5
Critical Thinking 3.25/5
Operations Monitoring 3.25/5
Quality Control Analysis 3.25/5
Operation and Control 3.12/5
Active Listening 3.0/5
Speaking 3.0/5
Reading Comprehension 2.88/5
Writing 2.88/5
Monitoring 2.88/5

Career Fit Overview

Use this summary to understand the kind of profile this role rewards. It helps you judge whether this career looks like a stronger match than your current role, a nearby move worth exploring, or a broader path to compare more seriously.

Top passions

  • Maker: Building and fixing energizes you. You like tangible results and practical tools.
  • Organizer: Bringing order to data and processes satisfies you.
  • Analyst: Investigating problems and finding patterns keeps you engaged.

Common styles

Dependability, Attention to Detail, Cautiousness, Perseverance, Integrity

Want a personal read on fit? Take the free assessment and compare this career to your current role, nearby alternatives, and broader stronger-fit options.

Key Abilities

This career demands strong capabilities in the following areas:

Arm-Hand Steadiness 3.88/5
Manual Dexterity 3.88/5
Control Precision 3.88/5
Multilimb Coordination 3.75/5
Finger Dexterity 3.62/5
Near Vision 3.62/5
Problem Sensitivity 3.5/5
Reaction Time 3.5/5

Technologies & Tools

Adobe Acrobat Disassembler software Microsoft Excel Microsoft Internet Explorer Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Windows Microsoft Word Mozilla Firefox RailTech Software Solutions Rail 21 Management System RailTech Software Systems Mars for the 21st Century WheelShop Automation.com Wheel Shop Management Suite

Work Environment & Strengths

Common Strengths for This Career

  • Dependability (High importance: 4.65/5)
  • Attention to Detail (High importance: 4.61/5)
  • Cautiousness (High importance: 4.35/5)
  • Perseverance (High importance: 4.01/5)
  • Integrity (High importance: 3.95/5)

Want to see how YOUR strengths align with this career?

Take Free 15-Min Assessment →

How to Become One

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful but is usually not required. Training is often provided on the job.

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Also Known As

This career is known by many different job titles across industries. Here are all the variations:

Air Brake Adjuster Air Brake Man Air Brake Mechanic Air Brake Rigger Air Brake Worker Air Compressor Mechanic Air Valve Mechanic Air Valve Repairer Brake Adjuster Brake Liner Brake Reliner Brake Shoe Rebuilder Brake Specialist Breaker Mechanic Coach Mechanic Compressor Mechanic Controller Mechanic Drop Pit Worker Freight Car Builder Freight Car Repairer Freight Maintenance Specialist Freight Repairer Gearman Interior Mechanic Interlocker Maintainer Interlocking Mechanic Locomotive Repairman Machine Overhauler Mechanical Unit Repairer Mine Car Mechanic Mine Car Repairer Plow Mechanic Pullman Car Repairer Rail Car Maintenance Mechanic Rail Car Mechanic Rail Car Repair Carman Rail Car Repairer Rail Car Repairman Rail Car Sandblaster Rail Car Welder Rail Specialist Railroad Brake Repairer Railroad Car Repairman Railroad Equipment Car Repairer Railroad Mechanic Railroad Repairer Repair Laborer Repair Specialist Repair Technician Repair Worker Roundhouse Worker Signal Mechanic Street Car Mechanic Streetcar Repairer Structural Repairer Subway Car Repairer Tank Car Mechanic Tank Car Reconditioner Test Rack Operator Tipple Mechanic Train Car Repairman Triple Valve Mechanic Triple Valve Tester Trolley Car Mechanic Trolley Car Overhauler Valve Mechanic Valve Repairer

Career Fit FAQs

Is this career a good fit for me

This page shows the role itself. To see personal fit, use the assessment to compare your interests, motivations, and strengths against this career and against the role you are in now.

Can this help if I want to stay in my field

Yes. Many people use career pages like this to compare nearby roles in the same field and see whether they need a full switch or a better-fit version of the work they already know.

What should I compare first

Start with the daily tasks, the preparation level, and the work-style signals on this page. Then use the assessment to see whether this role looks like a stronger fit than your current role or just a different title.