Railway carmen/women

Overview

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.

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.

Job titles

  • air brake inspector - railway car
  • apprentice carman/woman - railway
  • car inspector - railway
  • car repairer - railway
  • car repairer apprentice - railway
  • carman/woman - railway

Employment prospects

Source: BC Labour Market Outlook 2024 edition

Annual salary

Low

$45,883

Median

$91,245

High

$113,227

Job openings

Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.

British Columbia

30

expected job openings (5-year forecast)

Education and training

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.

Certification requirements

  • No certification requirements

Post-secondary programs in B.C.

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