Rail infrastructure

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

infrastructure used in railway operations
infrastructure used in rail operations
features of railway infrastructure
infrastructure used in railroad operations
infrastructure of railroads
characteristics of railway infrastructure
features of rail infrastructure
railroad infrastructure
railway infrastructure
infrastructure of railways
characteristics of rail infrastructure

knowledge

sector-specific

Rail infrastructure is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Train preparer: Train preparers are responsible for checking and testing of equipment and systems on rail vehicles before vehicles are moved. They ensure that a train is in a fit condition to enter service, that the train equipment is correctly deployed and the formation of the train matches the train’s designated pathway. Depending on the individual work organisation of the operator they also perform technical inspections carried out prior to the train entering service.
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.
Civil engineering worker: Civil engineering workers perform tasks concerning the cleaning and preparation of construction sites for civil engineering projects. This includes the work on building and maintenance of roads, railways and dams.
Shunter: Shunters move shunting units with or without wagons or groups of wagons in order to build trains. They manage the driving of locomotives and are involved in switching wagons, making or splitting up trains in shunting yards or sidings. They operate according to the technical features, such as controlling movement via a remote control device.
Rail operations manager: Rail operations managers are concerned with overseeing, designing, and controlling the processes of transport operation. Rail operation managers may work for rail operators concerning tasks such as managing the safe and efficient operation of transport services including customer relation tasks or the management of staff and work organisation in this field. Rail operation managers employed by infrastructure operators manage the efficient and safe use of the network. This includes the planning of timetables and the allocation of slots to customers. They plan the construction and maintenance work. 
Railway station manager: Railway station managers are in charge of organising tasks linked to the operation of train stations. Their tasks cover the organisation of the maintenance and repairment works for buildings and interior equipment. They care for the comfort, service, safety and security of passengers, other clients and the commercial use of buildings. Depending on the size of the station, the number of staff that railway station managers are directly responsible for can be high.
Rail layer: Rail layers construct railway tracks on prepared sites. They monitor equipment that sets railroad sleepers or ties, usually on a layer of crushed stone or ballast. Rail layers then lay the rail tracks on top of the sleepers and attach them to make sure the rails have a constant gauge, or distance to each other. These operations are usually done with a single moving machine, but may be performed manually.

Rail infrastructure is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Diesel engine mechanic: Diesel engine mechanics repair and maintain all types of diesel engines. They use hand tools, precision measuring instruments, and machine tools to diagnose trouble, disassemble engines, and to examine and exchange parts of defect and excessive wear.
Railway infrastructure inspector: Railway infrastructure inspectors are responsible for checking the conditions of railways. They monitor compliance to health and safety standards and inspect the infrastructure to detect damage or flaws. They analyse and report on their findings to ensure railway conditions are maintained at a safe level.
Transport technology vocational teacher: Transport technology vocational teachers instruct students in their specialised field of study, transport technology, which is predominantly practical in nature. They provide theoretical instruction in service of the practical skills and techniques the students must subsequently master for a transport technology-related profession, such as automotive brake technician. Transport technology vocational teachers monitor the students’ progress, assist individually when necessary, and evaluate their knowledge and performance on the subject of transport technology through assignments, tests and examinations.
Transport planner: Traffic planners develop and implement policies in order to improve transport systems, taking into account the social, environmental and economic factors. They collect and analyse traffic data using statistical modelling tools.

References

1. Rail infrastructure – ESCO