Call a local auto shop or just drop by and ask if you can talk to someone about being a mechanic. Be ready to ask questions, like what someone who wants to work in this field should do to get started.

Interview a mechanic.

Try these quick projects from Khan Academy that you can do at home. Build a simple motor, a ping pong ball launcher, or something else from the list!

Develop mechanics knowledge with hands-on projects!

Explore the Federal Railroad Administration's website to learn more about what they do and what their principles are. Are you interested in working in this field?

Learn more about the Federal Railroad Administration.

Rail Car Repairers

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

Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.

Realistic

Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.

Conventional

Work involves studying and researching non-living objects, living organisms, disease or other forms of impairment, or human behavior. Investigative occupations are often associated with physical, life, medical, or social sciences, and can be found in the fields of humanities, mathematics/statistics, information technology, or health care service.

Investigative

Work involves helping, teaching, advising, assisting, or providing service to others. Social occupations are often associated with social, health care, personal service, teaching/education, or religious activities.

Social

Work involves creating original visual artwork, performances, written works, food, or music for a variety of media, or applying artistic principles to the design of various objects and materials. Artistic occupations are often associated with visual arts, applied arts and design, performing arts, music, creative writing, media, or culinary art.

Artistic

Work involves managing, negotiating, marketing, or selling, typically in a business setting, or leading or advising people in political and legal situations. Enterprising occupations are often associated with business initiatives, sales, marketing/advertising, finance, management/administration, professional advising, public speaking, politics, or law.

Enterprising

Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed

Heavy Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Service Technicians and Mechanics

Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations

Vehicle and Mobile Equipment Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers

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.

Rail Car Repairers

Overview

Career

What Rail Car Repairers Do

Other Job Titles Rail Car Repairers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Rail Car Repairers

Overview

Career

What Rail Car Repairers Do

Other Job Titles Rail Car Repairers May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Rail Car Repairers

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders