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Rail technician skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

1 min read

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical rail technician skills. We ranked the top skills for rail technicians based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 32.1% of rail technician resumes contained rail cars as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a rail technician needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 rail technician skills for your resume and career

1. Rail Cars

Rail Cars, also called railroad cars, are large containers set on a railway and pulled by a locomotive. Rail cars are frequently used for shipping large quantities of product or material, such as metal, chemicals, or livestock; however, a rail car may also transport people such as a subway system. A locomotive often pulls numerous cars that attach to each other, which then form a train.

Here's how rail technicians use rail cars:

Drop and repair the gates* Evacuate crude oil, sugar, hydrogen peroxide and plastic rail cars.
Provide professional installation of all wiring and equipment on light link rail cars.

2. HVAC

Here's how rail technicians use hvac:

Provided efficient and timely commissioning of HVAC equipment Utilized open source project management software to Communicated daily with job-site superintendents
Maintained responsibility for all facility maintenance including HVAC equipment, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.

3. Test Equipment

Test equipment is a mechanical tool or a device which is used create signals and gather response from an electronic device under test. It helps in detecting any faults in the device and it also proves the proper operation of the electronic device.

Here's how rail technicians use test equipment:

Conduct performance testing of air brake systems utilizing air tools and test equipment.
Diagnose faults or malfunctions to determine required repairs, using engine diagnostic equipment such as computerized test equipment and calibration devices.

4. Safety Regulations

Here's how rail technicians use safety regulations:

Followed all safety regulations and rules.
Influence and educate team members on proper company procedures and safety regulations pertaining to stockroom equipment and operations.

5. FRA

Here's how rail technicians use fra:

Worked in Dow Chemical in site logistics, railroad department fixing, cleaning, and repairing railcars per FRA standards.
Performed daily inspections according to FRA regulations on Budd, Silver liner III and IV Light Rail Vehicles.

6. Electrical Systems

Here's how rail technicians use electrical systems:

Test electrical systems of cars by operating systems and using testing equipment such as ammeters.
Maintained and repaired electrical/fuel heater systems, pumps, decontamination systems, protective filter systems and internal combustion engine ignition/fuel/cooling/electrical systems.

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7. Hand Tools

Here's how rail technicians use hand tools:

General mechanic and maintenance, stick welding, hand tools, torch cutting, repairs.
Repair window sash frames, attach weather stripping and channels to frames, and replace window glass, using hand tools.

8. Rail Vehicles

Here's how rail technicians use rail vehicles:

Test & determine cause of malfunction of rail vehicle components, using knowledge, instruments, gauges, & wiring schematics.
Skilled level in operating machine tools in the repair,fabrication and machining of rail vehicle machinery and equipment.

9. Technical Manuals

Technical Manuals are informative pieces of writing, often including diagrams and images, which educate the person who is using it and assist them in learning how to control, build, fix, or otherwise handle the product or products which it speaks of. A technical manual is also known more commonly as a user manual and it typically comes with most products, especially items such as furniture, electronics, appliances, software, machinery, and even medication and medical devices.

Here's how rail technicians use technical manuals:

Conducted mechanical and electrical troubleshooting and repairs using factory training, technical manuals, diagrams and schematics and computer software.
Replaced vital mechanisms and provided testing after each repair in conjunction with specifications from technical manuals.

10. Torches

Here's how rail technicians use torches:

Cut materials to specified sizes for installation using power saws, and torches.

11. DOT

Here's how rail technicians use dot:

Ensured loading of rail car using proper load factor within DOT regulations.
Transport equipment and cryogenic product to job sites in accordance with DOT safety rules and regulations.

12. AAR

Here's how rail technicians use aar:

Have Air brake testing certification, leak testing certification , corrosion inspection and AAR rules completion on new hire since 2013.

13. Jigs

Here's how rail technicians use jigs:

Build jigs, fixtures, and other production time--saving devices from drawings.
Make production aids such as templates and hand jigs to assist in work.

14. Tank Cars

Here's how rail technicians use tank cars:

Conduct inspections of rolling stock (freight cars, flatcars, tank cars, etc.)
Sealed outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.

15. Train Cars

Here's how rail technicians use train cars:

Task where to build the train cars from the ground up within the guidelines and time frame of this project.
Repaired and assembled train cars for the R160 project for MTA.

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What skills help Rail Technicians find jobs?

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List of rail technician skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a rail technician resume and required skills for a rail technician to have include:

Rail Cars
HVAC
Test Equipment
Safety Regulations
FRA
Electrical Systems
Hand Tools

Rail Vehicles
Technical Manuals
Torches
DOT
AAR
Jigs
Tank Cars

Train Cars
MTA
Instruction Manuals
Function Test
Hoists

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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