Locomotive Mechanic Apprentice Career

*A job as a Locomotive Mechanic Apprentice falls under the broader career category of Rail Car Repairers. The information on this page will generally apply to all careers in this category but may not specifically apply to this career title.

Job Description for Rail Car Repairers : Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.


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Rail Car Repairer Career

What skills are required for Rail Car Repairers?

Importance Skills
  Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  Repairing - Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.
  Equipment Maintenance - Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.
  Operations Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  Quality Control Analysis - Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
  Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
  Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  Active Listening - 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.
  Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  Reading Comprehension - Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
  Writing - Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  Judgment and Decision Making - Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  Time Management - Managing one's own time and the time of others.
  Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
  Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  Active Learning - Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  Learning Strategies - Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  Installation - Installing equipment, machines, wiring, or programs to meet specifications.
  Systems Analysis - Determining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  Systems Evaluation - Identifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  Instructing - Teaching others how to do something.
  Management of Personnel Resources - Motivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.

What knowledge is needed to be a Rail Car Repairer?

Importance Knowledge
  Mechanical - Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
  Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  Design - Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  Administration and Management - 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.
  Building and Construction - Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
  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.
  Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
  Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  Public Safety and Security - 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.
  Customer and Personal Service - 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.
  Education and Training - Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
  English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  Physics - Knowledge and prediction of physical principles, laws, their interrelationships, and applications to understanding fluid, material, and atmospheric dynamics, and mechanical, electrical, atomic and sub-atomic structures and processes.

Work Styles

Importance Styles
  Dependability - Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  Adaptability/Flexibility - Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
  Attention to Detail - Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
  Independence - Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
  Innovation - Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.
  Initiative - Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
  Cooperation - Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
  Self-Control - Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
  Concern for Others - Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  Integrity - Job requires being honest and ethical.
  Stress Tolerance - Job requires accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high-stress situations.
  Leadership - Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
  Persistence - Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
  Analytical Thinking - Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
  Achievement/Effort - Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
  Social Orientation - Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.