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49-9097.00 - Signal and Track Switch Repairers


Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.


Key Facts
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Bright Outlook
Career Details
Green Job
Career Details
Current Employment
9,500
Estimate
Forecasted Employment
9,500
Estimate
Change in Employment
0.0
Estimate
Change in Employment %
-0.1%
Estimate
Tasks
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Tasks
The tasks listed below can be performed to prepare you for a career in this field.
Core
  • Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
  • Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
  • Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
  • Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
  • Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
  • Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
  • Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
  • Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
  • Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
  • Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.
  • Clean lenses of lamps with cloths and solvents.
  • Test and repair track circuits.
Supplemental
  • Maintain high tension lines, de-energizing lines for power companies when repairs are requested.
  • Test air lines and air cylinders on pneumatically operated gates.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Knowledge
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Knowledge

The items listed below are organized into sections that contain knowledge useful for pursuing a career in this field. Each section also contains a "Percentage of Importance" statistic that shows how relevant an item is to the occupation.
 Transportation
  • 75%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
 Mechanical
  • 74%
    Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
 English Language
  • 72%
    Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
 Public Safety and Security
  • 70%
    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.
 Telecommunications
  • 62%
    Knowledge of transmission, broadcasting, switching, control, and operation of telecommunications systems.
 Engineering and Technology
  • 62%
    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.
 Computers and Electronics
  • 61%
    Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
 Building and Construction
  • 58%
    Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.
 Law and Government
  • 56%
    Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
 Mathematics
  • 56%
    Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
 Design
  • 55%
    Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
 Education and Training
  • 53%
    Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Tools
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Tools
The tools listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Wrenches and drivers
  • Adjustable hand wrenches
  • Multi-tip screwdrivers
  • Terminal post wrenches
 Aerial lifts
  • Articulating aerial lift equipment
 Audio presentation and composing equipment and hardware and controllers
  • Audio spectrum analyzers
 Agriculture, forestry and garden handtools
  • Brush cutting equipment
  • Shovels
 Electrical measuring and testing equipment and accessories
  • Clamp-on ammeters
  • Digital oscilloscopes
  • Digital voltage meters
  • Frequency specific volt meters
  • Meggers
  • Relay testers
 Surveillance and detection equipment
  • Closed circuit television CCTV systems
  • Hotbox detectors
 Cameras
  • Digital still cameras
 Watches
  • Digital timers
 Computer printers
  • Inkjet computer printers
 Duplicating machines
  • Inkjet fax machines
 Computers
  • Laptop computers
  • Personal computers
 Lifting equipment and accessories
  • Mechanical lifts
  • Wheel forklifts
 Forming tools
  • Multipurpose hammers
 Power tools
  • Power drills
  • Power grinders
 Holding and clamping tools
  • Slip joint pliers
  • Wire crimpers
 Light and wave generating and measuring equipment
  • Spectrum analyzers
 Railroad support equipment and systems
  • Switch machines
 Length and thickness and distance measuring instruments
  • Switch obstruction gauges
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Technology
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Technology
The technologies listed below include machines, equipment, tools, and software that is useful for individuals who are interested in this career.
 Industry specific software
  • Maintenance management software
  • Supervisory control and data acquisition SCADA softwareHOT
 Content authoring and editing software
  • Microsoft ExcelHOT
  • Microsoft PowerPointHOT
  • Microsoft WordHOT
 Business function specific software
  • Microsoft OfficeHOT
 Information exchange software
  • Microsoft OutlookHOT
 Network applications software
  • Web browser software
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Certifications
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Certifications
The certifications listed below are useful to pursue if you are interested in a career in this field.
 Advanced
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Licensing
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Licensing
The licensing information below is organized into sections and is useful for pursuing if you are interested in a career in this field.
No specific licensing information is listed for this occupation in the area you have selected.
All data sourced from US Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration O*Net Database.
Related Programs
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Online Programs related to this career, offered by participating institution(s), are listed below.

Clicking on the Degree programs in the list below will take you away from the Careers page.
INSTITUTION
PROGRAMS
Mountain Empire Community College
 Programs
New River Community College
 Programs
Southside Virginia Community College
 Programs