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Signal & Track Switch Repairers

Also called: Signal Maintainer, Train Control Electronic Technician, Signal Inspector, Signalman

What they do:
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
On the job, you would:
  • 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.

Knowledge

Engineering and Technology
  • computers and electronics
  • mechanical
Safety and Government
  • public safety and security
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Transportation
  • movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Skills

Basic Skills
  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Problem Solving
  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Technical
  • figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work
  • planning and doing the basic maintenance on equipment

Abilities

Hand and Finger Use
  • hold or move items with your hands
  • put together small parts with your fingers
Visual Understanding
  • see hidden patterns
  • quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
Spatial
  • imagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed
Ideas and Logic
  • notice when problems happen

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include
practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Attention to Detail
  • Dependability
  • Integrity
  • Analytical Thinking
  • Cooperation
  • Independence

Technology

Examples of the technology used in this career will be available soon.

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
associate's degree or
some college
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Registered Apprenticeship

Job Outlook

Below Average Outlook
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
Salary
$54,610
per year, on average
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about signal and track switch repairers.