Profession rolling stock inspector

Rolling stock inspectors inspect wagons and carriages to asses their technical condition while grouped together and before they are used for transportation activities. They check technical devices, ensure complete and correct operation of the rolling stock, and prepare required technical documents and/or checklists. Depending on work organisation they are also responsible for limited ad-hoc maintenance or exchange work and the performance of brake tests.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Investigative
• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• 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 infrastructure

  Thoroughly understand the characteristics of railway infrastructure: rail technologies, track gauges, rail signalling, rail junctions, etc.

• Electrical wiring plans

  Pictorial representation of an electrical circuit. It shows the components of the circuit as simplified shapes, and the power and signal connections between the devices. It gives information about the relative position and arrangement of devices and terminals on the devices, to help in building or servicing the device. A wiring diagram is often used to troubleshoot problems and to make sure that all the connections have been made and that everything is present.

• Electrical engineering

  Understand electrical engineering, a field of engineering that deals with the study and application of electricity, electronics, and electromagnetism.

• Rail disruption management

  Thoroughly understand the conditions, causes, and effects of rail disruption or derailment, and of degraded mode operations including tasks and tools.

• Health and safety measures in transportation

  The body of rules, procedures and regulations related to health and safety measures intended to prevent accidents or incidents in transportation.

• Hydraulics

  The power transmission systems that use the force of flowing liquids to transmit power.

Skills

• Operate railway vehicles

  Drive railroad vehicles or other railway equipment in a competent and safe manner.

• Ensure maintenance of railway machinery

  Keep rolling stock in functional condition and maintain railway machinery.

• Carry out railway accident investigations

  Carry out investigations of railway accidents. Take into consideration the specific circumstances of the accident, and the actual or potential consequences. Investigate whether the accident is part of a series, and examine the potential for recurrence. Strive to improve safety.

• Operate rail-flaw-detection machine

  Operate electric, diesel or steam locomotives to detect and identify rail flaws.

• Perform rail track inspections

  Plan and implement regular inspections and investigations of the rail track system in order to provide optimal coverage of the railway network in a given area. Inspect aspects such as track alignment, features of the terrain, and existence of ditches, embankments, and loose rock debris on the network.

• Ensure quality of final product

  Ensure that finished products meet or exceed company specifications.

• Use different communication channels

  Make use of various types of communication channels such as verbal, handwritten, digital and telephonic communication with the purpose of constructing and sharing ideas or information.

• Enforce railway safety regulations

  Promote and enforce safety procedures and EU regulations to ensure that railway safety is generally maintained and continuously improved, taking into consideration the development of European legislation.

• Test the rail-flaw-detection machine

  Perform tests of the rail-flaw-detection machine using circuit testers.

• Write railway investigation reports

  On completion of an investigation, compose a report summarising the finding for those in need of recommendations. This is done in consultation with industry stakeholders, safety authorities, individuals and any other parties involved in the investigation.

• Maintain electrical equipment

  Test electrical equipment for malfunctions. Take safety measures, company guidelines, and legislation concerning electrical equipment into account. Clean, repair and replace parts and connections as required.

• Detect flaws in rails

  Detect internal flaws in rails in order to prevent derailments.

• Write rail defect records

  Compose documents and reports on the nature of rail defects investigated, position of defect in rail, location, etc.

• Keep up-to-date on manufacturer's policies

  Stay up-to-date on manufacturer warranty and policy procedures; communicate with factory representatives.

• Ensure safety of mobile electrical systems

  Take the necessary precautions while providing temporary power distribution independently. Measure and power up an installation.

• Operate hydraulic jack lift

  Operate hydraulic jack lift or truck to move goods before or after bundling.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB