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.

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

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

The ability to coordinate two or more limbs (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while sitting, standing, or lying down. It does not involve performing the activities while the whole body is in motion.

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

The ability to quickly respond (with the hand, finger, or foot) to a signal (sound, light, picture) when it appears.

The ability to exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects.

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without "giving out" or fatiguing.

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

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

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.

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

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.

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Mozilla Firefox

Microsoft Outlook

RailTech Software Systems Mars for the 21st Century

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Office software

Microsoft Windows

Microsoft Word

WheelShop Automation.com Wheel Shop Management Suite

Aligning pry bars

Pinch bars

Rolling head pry bars

Flat head screwdrivers

Phillips head screwdrivers

Car hoists

Pneumatic hoists

Socket drive extensions

Socket wrench handles

Locomotive drop table

Underfloor lifting systems

Mobile radios

Bearing dismounting presses

Measuring tapes

Flat cold chisels

Bearing presses

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?

Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls

Continually or almost continually

How often does this job require wearing common protective or safety equipment such as safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hearing protection, hard hats or life-jackets?

Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets

Every day

Once a week or more but not every day

More than half the time

How often does this job require working exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting or uncomfortable?

Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable

How frequently does your job require face-to-face discussions with individuals and within teams?

Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams

Once a month or more but not every week

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

How often does this job require working in extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions?

Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions

How often does this job require working in an environment that is not environmentally controlled (like a warehouse without air conditioning)?

How often does this job require working in very hot (above 90 F degrees) or very cold (below 32 F degrees) temperatures?

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions

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 Leaders