Rail Equipment Machinist Overview

Required Education and Training To Become a Rail Equipment Machinist

Best Schools to become a Rail Equipment Machinist in U.S. 2024

Central Georgia Technical College

Warner Robins, GA

In-State Tuition:$2,400
Out-of-State Tuition:$4,800
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:44%
Total Enrollment:9,683

Columbus Technical College

Columbus, GA

In-State Tuition:$2,400
Out-of-State Tuition:$4,800
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:23%
Total Enrollment:3,134

Lincoln College of Technology-Nashville

Nashville, TN

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:55%
Total Enrollment:1,053

Ivy Tech Community College

Indianapolis, IN

In-State Tuition:$4,487
Out-of-State Tuition:$8,777
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:31%
Total Enrollment:89,705

Lincoln College of Technology-Denver

Denver, CO

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:65%
Total Enrollment:1,155

Lincoln College of Technology-Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie, TX

In-State Tuition:$N/A
Out-of-State Tuition:$N/A
Admission Rate:N/A
Graduation Rate:68%
Total Enrollment:1,212
Rail Equipment Machinist Job Description:
  • Diagnose, adjust, repair, or overhaul railroad rolling stock, mine cars, or mass transit rail cars.

Required Skills and Competencies To Become a Rail Equipment Machinist

Job Duties for Rail Equipment Machinists

  • Inspect components such as bearings, seals, gaskets, wheels, and coupler assemblies to determine if repairs are needed.

  • Record conditions of cars, and repair and maintenance work performed or to be performed.

  • Repair or replace defective or worn parts such as bearings, pistons, and gears, using hand tools, torque wrenches, power tools, and welding equipment.

Technologies and Skills Used by Rail Equipment Machinists

Internet browser software

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Mozilla Firefox

Presentation software

  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Basic Skills

  • Listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
  • Thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem

Technical

  • Figuring out what is causing equipment, machines, wiring, or computer programs to not work
  • Repairing machines or systems using the right tools

Current Job Market and Opportunites for a Rail Equipment Machinist

Additional Resources To Help You Become a Rail Equipment Machinist

FAQs About Becoming a Rail Equipment Machinist