characteristics of wheel rail interface
Thoroughly understand the forces of physics involved in the interaction between the wheels and the rail, possible rail defects, maintenance practices, and cost implications.
Rail maintenance technicians execute routine inspections of railway tracks, powerlines, signage stations, switches, and other railway infrastructure. They are also sent out to repair defects quickly, safely, and at any time of the day or night.
Competences and skills
42 ESCO relationsEssential knowledge 5 competences
Occupation specific
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Sector-specific
1 competenceCross-sector
4 competenceselectricity
The principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.
mechanics
Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.
mechanics of trains
The mechanical aspects and principles of the mechanics involved in trains.
sensors
Sensors are transducers that can detect or sense characteristics in their environment. They detect changes in the apparatus or environment and provide a corresponding optical or electrical signal. Sensors are commonly divided in six classes: mechanical, electronic, thermal, magnetic, electrochemical, and optical sensors.
digital
Essential skills and competences 14 competences
Occupation specific
2 competencesinterpret graphical recordings of rail-flaw-detection machine
Read, analyse and interpret the graphical recordings issued by the rail-flaw-detection machine in order to detect errors or flaws in rails.
digital
monitor stationary rail sensors
Monitor a variety of sensors, such as heat sensors and wheel impact load sensors, that detect flaws in railway and train operations. Check the output from the sensors from a distance or visit the location.
Sector-specific
6 competencesadvise on railway infrastructure repairs
Formulate advice on maintenance, repair or upgrades of the inspected railroad infrastructure.
design wayside signalling interlockings
Design procedures to implement wayside signalling interlockings. Analyse routes and aspect charts and take into account highway crossing warning systems.
detect rail track malfunctions
Identify and analyse damage or malfunctions in the mechanical, pneumatic, or hydraulic equipment of rail track; determine necessary maintenance and repair work.
inspect rail flaws
Monitor the output from various sensors that detect flaws in a railroad track, including laser sensors which scan for discontinuities, microphone sensors, gyroscopes which detect tilt, and others.
inspect railways visually
Visually check the integrity of train tracks, sleepers, and ballast. This is usually done in reaction to reports from workers or detections by sensors.
write rail defect records
Compose documents and reports on the nature of rail defects investigated, position of defect in rail, location, etc.
Cross-sector
6 competencesfollow health and safety procedures in construction
Apply the relevant health and safety procedures in construction in order to prevent accidents, pollution and other risks.
green
inspect construction supplies
Check construction supplies for damage, moisture, loss or other problems before using the material.
maintain sensor equipment
Diagnose and detect malfunctions in sensor components, systems, and products using sensors and remove, replace, or repair these components when necessary. Execute preventative equipment maintenance tasks, such as storing the components in clean, dust-free, and non-humid spaces.
digital
record test data
Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
test sensors
Test sensors using appropriate equipment. Gather and analyse data. Monitor and evaluate system performance and take action if needed.
digital
use safety equipment in construction
Use elements of protective clothing such as steel-tipped shoes, and gear such as protective goggles, in order to minimise risk of accidents in construction and to mitigate any injury if an accident does occur.
Optional knowledge 10 competences
Occupation specific
4 competenceshot wheel detection system
Hot wheel detection systems, which record the temperature of passing rail vehicle wheels and pass an alarm if a critical temperature is reached.
hunting truck detector
The hunting truck detector, which detects hunting of rail vehicle trucks, i.e. side-to-side movements which cause harmful impacts of the side of the wheels on the tracks.
weigh in motion system
Weigh in motion systems, which measure the weight of a vehicle passing over and may send out an alarm if the vehicle is overloaded or unbalanced.
digital
wheel impact load detector
The wheel impact load detector or WILD, a detector that monitors the impact of railed vehicle wheels on the tracks.
Sector-specific
6 competencesconstruction product regulation
Regulations on construction products quality standards applied throughout the European Union.
electrical systems used in transportation
The functioning of electrical systems, their specifications, and application in operations and systems for the transportation of freight and people.
electronics principles
The study of electric energy, more specifically electron, control and its prominent principles regarding integrated circuits and electrical systems.
modern power signalling systems
The modern signalling systems and the application of digital technologies to improve the functioning of signalling equipment.
digital
railway framework legislation
The legislative framework governing the different aspects of railway transport, including licensing of railway undertakings, railway infrastructure capacity, railway safety and the legislation that applies to the field of cross-border freight transit.
work trains
The composition and functions of a work train, a train composed of automatic machines that remove, inspect, adjust and lay railway ballast, sleepers and rails.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 13 competences
Occupation specific
1 competenceuse tribometer
Use a tribometer to check the amount of friction that a surface provides.
Sector-specific
6 competencescheck for defects in railcars
Ensure that freight cars are free of all safety defects that could lead to derailing or loss of freight while in transit. Ensure that freight cars meet transportation requirements.
detect flaws in rails
Detect internal flaws in rails in order to prevent derailments.
ensure implementation of subsidence mitigation measures
Investigate the subsidence of a surface in relation to the railway system and recommend effective mitigation measures.
process incoming construction supplies
Receive incoming construction supplies, handle the transaction and enter the supplies into any internal administration system.
test the rail-flaw-detection machine
Perform tests of the rail-flaw-detection machine using circuit testers.
work in a construction team
Work as part of a team in a construction project. Communicate efficiently, sharing information with team members and reporting to supervisors. Follow instructions and adapt to changes in a flexible manner.
Cross-sector
6 competenceskeep personal administration
File and organise personal administration documents comprehensively.
keep records of work progress
Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.
liaise with managers
Liaise with managers of other departments ensuring effective service and communication, i.e. sales, planning, purchasing, trading, distribution and technical.
liaise with rail experts
Communicate and cooperate with bridge, geotechnical, materials experts, architects, etc.
maintain records of maintenance interventions
Keep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.
work ergonomically
Apply ergonomy principles in the organisation of the workplace while manually handling equipment and materials.