National
| Median wages (2008) |
$23.89 hourly, $49,700 annual |
| Employment (2006) |
7,000 employees |
| Projected growth (2006-2016) |
Decline slowly or moderately (-3% to -9%)
|
| Projected need (2006-2016) |
0 additional employees |
49-9097.00 - Signal and Track Switch Repairers
Install, inspect, test, maintain, or repair electric gate crossings, signals, signal equipment, track switches, section lines, or intercommunications systems within a railroad system.
Sample of reported job titles:
Signal Maintainer, Train Control Electronic Technician, Signal Inspector, Signalman, Train Control Technician, Signal and Communications Maintainer, Signal Supervisor, Signal Technician, Signal Maintenance Technician, Signal System Testing Maintainer
Tasks
- Install, inspect, maintain, and repair various railroad service equipment on the road or in the shop, including railroad signal systems.
- Inspect and test operation, mechanical parts, and circuitry of gate crossings, signals, and signal equipment such as interlocks and hotbox detectors.
- Inspect switch-controlling mechanisms on trolley wires and in track beds, using hand tools and test equipment.
- Drive motor vehicles to job sites.
- Tighten loose bolts, using wrenches, and test circuits and connections by opening and closing gates.
- Inspect electrical units of railroad grade crossing gates and repair loose bolts and defective electrical connections and parts.
- Replace defective wiring, broken lenses, or burned-out light bulbs.
- Record and report information about mileage or track inspected, repairs performed, and equipment requiring replacement.
- Inspect, maintain, and replace batteries as needed.
- Lubricate moving parts on gate-crossing mechanisms and swinging signals.
