Railroad Engineering Technology, AS (RREN-AS)

Railroad Engineering Technology will prepare students for employment in the railroad industry within a career path for maintaining and repairing railcars through a degree orientation in electromechanical equipment.
Graduates will be prepared for technical application exams commonly administered by railroad companies for entry-level maintenance of equipment positions. The program reflects current skills needed within job positions that require electromechanical knowledge and skills.

Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates should be able to:

• Demonstrate and have an understanding of typical railroad rules and regulations, including changes that are a result of accidents and imposed by Homeland Security
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of career opportunities within the railroad industry with an Electromechanical-oriented degree
• Demonstrate a basic understanding of the operation of railcar electromechanical systems
• Conduct entry-level troubleshooting and repairs of electromechanical systems on railcars
• Be prepared to take an application exam on electromechanical skills for employment in the railroad industry

Railroad Engineering Practicum Information: Practicum experiences may be assigned during daytime, evening or weekend hours; assignments are subject to change based upon availability of practicum sites and numbers in groups; practicum sites could be within an hour radius of the college and may require a mandatory parking fee; students must make their own travel arrangements during the program. Practicum learning experiences are planned as an integral part of the railroad engineering technology courses, and are held at a variety of railroad settings, such as the Shoreline Trolley Museum/Branford Railway and the Railroad Museum of New England/Naugatuck Railroad. This program is offered at the Gateway Campus.

Criminal Background Checks & Toxicology Screening: Practicum sites may now require criminal background checks and/or toxicology screening (drugs/alcohol) be completed on any student who will be attending a practicum rotation at those sites. Students must follow instructions for obtaining a background and/or toxicology screening at the college if necessary. Students who are found guilty of having committed a felony/misdemeanor and/or are found to have a positive toxicology screen may be prevented from participating in practicum exercises. Those who cannot participate in a practicum at an assigned facility, may not be able to complete the objectives of the course and of the program. Specific situations are reviewed by college personnel.