About the position
As a Mechanical Carman at CSX Corporation, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and functionality of rail cars. Your primary responsibilities will include building, inspecting, and repairing rail cars to meet the stringent standards set by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Association of American Railroads (AAR). You will be expected to adhere to all railroad rules and regulations, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and operational guidelines. In this position, you will engage in various hands-on activities such as welding and painting cars and locomotives, cutting metal, sandblasting, and performing general car construction tasks. You will inspect car components for compliance with industry standards, identify defective components, and recommend necessary corrective actions. Additionally, you will be responsible for inspecting the securement of lading in open-top or flat cars, ensuring that all loads meet AAR rules and railway line clearance requirements. Your role will also involve salvaging parts from dismantled or scrapped cars, applying end-of-train devices, performing airbrake tests, and maintaining various equipment on railroad cars. You will be tasked with removing and replacing couplers, draft gears, and yokes, as well as inspecting and repairing gaskets, air hoses, and other interior load restraining equipment. Fabrication of large jigs and fixtures for assembling parts, operating cranes and forklifts, and rerailing cars and locomotives will also be part of your daily responsibilities. Training will be provided, and you may be required to attend paid training sessions that could take place out of town, with travel and lodging expenses covered by CSX as per the collective bargaining agreement.
Responsibilities
- Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety, operations, and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Weld and paint cars and locomotives
- Cut metal, sandblast, replace doors and perform general car construction
- Inspect car components for compliance with FRA, Association of American Railroads (AAR) and CSX standards
- Identify or analyze defective components and indicate the necessary corrective action
- Inspect the securement of lading in open top or flat cars for compliance with AAR rules and measure high/wide loads to ensure railway line clearance
- Inspect and salvage parts from dismantled and/or scrapped cars
- Inspect and apply end-of-train device and perform airbrake tests
- Clean, lubricate and maintain tie-down devices and other special equipment on railroad cars
- Remove and replace couplers, draft gears and yokes
- Inspect, replace and/or repair gaskets, air hose, train line, bulkhead and other interior load restraining equipment, steel sections such as side sheets, crossbearers, crossties and underframing
- Paint cars and car components
- Build and/or repair components such as freight doors, wooden floors or interior walls
- Fabricate large jigs and fixtures and use them to assemble parts on car
- Straighten or fabricate, then replace steel parts such as grab irons, handholds, ladders, brackets, steps and patching components
- Operate light and heavy cranes, forklifts, and other car moving shop equipment
- Operate various vehicles to the job site
- Rerail cars and locomotives by using rerailing equipment and perform other work associated with wreck service on the railroad
- Obtain information from computer regarding car characteristics, destination, lading, and repair records and/or to file data such as repair information, bad orders and car releases
- Miscellaneous activities and responsibilities as assigned by manager
Requirements
- Experience in mechanical repair or a related field
- Knowledge of welding and painting techniques
- Familiarity with railroad safety regulations and standards
- Ability to operate cranes, forklifts, and other heavy equipment
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail
- Ability to work in a team environment and follow instructions
Nice-to-haves
- Previous experience in rail car repair or maintenance
- Certification in welding or related mechanical skills
- Basic computer skills for data entry and retrieval
Benefits
- Paid training with travel and lodging covered for out-of-town training
- Competitive hourly wage with potential for increases based on experience
- Opportunities for advancement within the company
