Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Transportation Equipment Electrician
What transportation equipment electricians actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a transportation equipment electrician?
Review the repair list. From there, the day usually includes install wiring and electrical systems, troubleshoot faults, and repair motors and controls. Full time, often shifts including nights and weekends.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a transportation equipment electrician working full time.
- Review the repair list.
- Diagnose a door control fault on a subway car.
- Trace wiring with schematics.
- Replace a traction motor connector.
- Test lighting circuits.
- Run a functional test.
- Write the repair report.
Where transportation equipment electricians work
Electricians work in rail yards, transit shops, shipyards and maintenance facilities.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often shifts including nights and weekends.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Install wiring and electrical systems
- Troubleshoot faults
- Repair motors and controls
- Read schematics
- Test systems
- Replace components
- Document repairs
Tools you’ll use every day
- Multimeters
- Oscilloscopes
- Diagnostic laptops
- Crimpers
- Wire strippers
- Insulation testers
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Strong pay
- Specialized skills
- Union jobs common
- Steady public transit demand
What’s hard
- Shift work
- Tight spaces
- Outdoor yard work
- Small field
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like electrical work
- I like trains, ships or buses
- I read schematics well
- I can work shifts
- I like troubleshooting
- I want strong pay
Not sure? Take the free Transportation Equipment Electrician fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Follow lockout/tagout
- Treat rails as live
- Wear arc flash PPE
- Follow track safety rules