National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2011

• 7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
• 73 - Maintenance and equipment operation trades
• 731 - Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicle)

7314 - Railway carmen/women

Railway carmen/women inspect, troubleshoot, maintain and repair structural and mechanical components of railway freight, passenger and urban transit rail cars. They are employed by railway transport companies and urban transit systems.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • rail vehicle mechanic
  • railway car inspector
  • railway carman/woman
  • railway carman/woman apprentice
  • streetcar and subway car mechanic

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Locomotive mechanics (See 7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics)
  • Railway car repairer foremen/women (See 7301 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)

• Main duties

  Railway carmen/women perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Inspect interior and exterior components of freight, passenger and urban transit rail cars to determine defects and extent of wear and damage
  • Repair and install railway car parts such as compressors, air valves, bearings, couplings, air cylinders and piping
  • Repair and maintain electrical and electronic controls for propulsion and braking systems
  • Repair defective or damaged metal and wood components, using hand and power tools
  • Repair and repaint wooden fixtures
  • Replace damaged windows and repair upholstery
  • Test and adjust parts using testing gauges and other test equipment
  • Perform and document routine maintenance.

• Employment requirements

  • Completion of secondary school is usually required.
  • Completion of an industry-offered apprenticeship program or three to four years of on-the-job training is usually required.

• Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.