Railway engineering involves designing, building, and maintaining railway systems. Specialized engineers are required for power electrification, systems engineering, and railway system integration. A degree in engineering is required, and railway engineers are in demand worldwide.
The design, structure and operation of all railway systems is the main purpose of railway engineering. Civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, and other engineering disciplines combine to create railway engineering. As is the case with many other professions, railway engineering has a past built entirely out of necessity.
Around the beginning of the 19th century, railways became the most popular form of travel. Since railways were complex to build and maintain, the need for specialized railway engineers grew rapidly. Originally, railway engineers mainly worked on trains that were powered by steam, since most trains at that time had steam engines. As the rail system became increasingly important, diesel and electric trains were envisioned. Therefore, engineers who could work on electric and diesel trains became invaluable to many railway companies.
The rail system throughout North America is not as robust as it once was. However, railways are still plentiful throughout Europe and Asia. Therefore, most railroad engineers find employment in these regions, although some engineers may still find employment fixing, building, and maintaining rail systems within North America.
To become a railway engineer, several educational requirements must be met. Essentially, all future railway engineers must obtain an engineering degree at the university level. Many countries also require railway engineers to earn a master’s degree in engineering in addition to a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, most newly graduated engineering students must work within the field for several months before applying for a permanent railway engineering position.
There are numerous subfields of railway engineering, including power electrification, systems engineering, railway system integration, and others. Those wishing to focus on a particular aspect of railway engineering may choose to study one of these subfields. Specialized engineers are often in high demand, as certain aspects of railway construction and maintenance can be very complex.
Once a person has obtained a railway engineering degree, it is possible to obtain a position in this field. Several companies hire railway engineers, and some of these professionals may also find employment with government agencies. To search for a position as a railway engineer, candidates can apply directly to a railway company. Even though railways are not as important as they once were, railway engineers are still needed all over the world.
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