National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0

• 7 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations
• 72 - Technical trades and transportation officers and controllers
• 724 - Technical maintenance trades
• 7240 - Machinery and transportation equipment mechanics (except motor vehicles)

72403 - 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. Apprentices are also included in this unit group.

• 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 mechanic (See 72401 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics)
  • Railway car repairer foreman/woman (See 72020 Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades)

• Main duties

  This group performs 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.
  • Trade certification is available, but voluntary, in Ontario, Manitoba and British Columbia.

• Additional information

  • Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.