Apprentice Freight Car Repair

Learn about every aspect of inspecting, repairing and rebuilding freight cars during a three-year training program with one of North America’s most established railroad companies! As an Apprentice Freight Car Repairer, you’ll have the opportunity to work with your hands every day: conducting inspections, performing scheduled and on-demand maintenance, and repairing or replacing defective components on our rolling stock! We are powered by our people, will you join our team?

Accountabilities

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
• Safely and effectively operate: acetylene torches; non-power tools or hand tools; power tools; electric and gas welding equipment; as well as other shop machines, tools, vehicles and equipment
• Remove and replace defective components, such as trucks, shoes, coupler assemblies or air brake systems
• Develop and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, supervisors, contractors and/or customers and effectively resolve situations that arise
• Conduct inspections to identify defects, evidence of wear, and damages caused by derailments or collisions
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Perform maintenance, including initial terminal air brake tests and other pre-trip inspections
• Repair structural components of rolling stock. This may include fabricating, cutting or performing rough finish operations on metal and wood replacement parts, or fastening or assembling car parts by riveting, bolting, or welding
• Clean and prepare surfaces for painting, welding and fabrication
• Communicate with others, verbally and in writing, technical information, job procedure recommendations, and other work-related information

Qualifications

Physical Requirements

• Able to frequently walk and maintain balance on a variety of surfaces and able to make coordinated hand movements to grasp, place, or move objects
• Able to remain standing for more than one-half of every work day with an opportunity to periodically change position for comfort
• Occasionally climb to access cars and work vehicles
• Push and pull objects up to 93 lbs, lift up to 85 lbs, and occasionally bend, stoop, and kneel

Work Conditions

• Willing and able to work around large equipment such as railcars, locomotives and cranes
• Willing to work on-call, overtime, various shifts, 7 days a week, as well as weekends and holidays
• Apply only to those locations where you are prepared to live and work
• To the extent required by federal law and/or collective bargaining agreement, membership to the respective labor union is required. The union agreement dictates the pay rate and cannot be individually negotiated. Monthly dues are the responsibility of the employee.
• Work at heights of 18 feet or more
• Benefit information can be found under the Benefits section on up.jobs (https://up.jobs/why/benefits/index.htm)
• Willing and able to work in confined and/or small spaces