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twc@transportcenter.orgThe TC3 Mechanical Foundations course introduces the core mechanical knowledge and skills commonly used in transit maintenance environments. Designed for frontline workforce development, the course combines foundational mechanical principles with practical transit applications to help learners better understand the mechanical systems, components, and tools used throughout transit operations.
Through a series of modular learning units, participants explore topics including physics, leverage, hydraulics and pneumatics, and fasteners and hardware. The course also includes a Mechanical Tools Reference Guide covering commonly used tools, safe operation, inspection, and maintenance. With an emphasis on real-world applications and hands-on learning, the course helps both new and current transit employees strengthen their mechanical knowledge and prepare for more advanced technical training.
Mechanical Foundations Course Support Resources
Access course-level resources that support planning, preparation, and delivery of the Mechanical Foundations course. These materials are designed to help instructors and training departments successfully implement the course. For additional instructor materials (assessments and module Instructor Guides), please complete this form.
Evaluation and Feedback
Your feedback helps us improve TC3 and better support transit agencies implementing these materials. Please use the evaluation forms below to gather participant and instructor feedback. Once completed, email the forms to Kristen Ribaudo at kribaudo@transportcenter.org. Thank you for helping us strengthen and enhance these resources for the transit industry.
Module: Fasteners
This module focuses on introducing the basics of and types of fasteners, how they function, and how they are used in various transit applications. Participants will practice identifying, measuring, and selecting specific fasteners in various scenarios.
Module: Hydraulics and Pneumatics
This module introduces fluid dynamics and its relationship to hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Learners will examine the differences between systems, walk through the process of each system’s operation, identify the advantages and disadvantages of each system, and review the importance of each system in transit applications.
Module: Leverage
This module introduces leverage, how levers work, what mechanical advantage is, and explains the three classes of lever and identifies real-world examples of each. Participants will run an activity that builds simple levers and determine the efficiency of different lever classes. Lastly, the module concludes by identifying common leverage tools and exploring the importance of leverage in transit maintenance.
Module: Physics
This module focuses on introducing fundamental physics concepts, how those concepts function, and how they apply to real-world examples. Then, the module covers what Newton’s three Laws of Motion are, and how they apply to real-world examples. Lastly, the module reviews physics applications to the transit industry, and why physics is crucial to safety in transit maintenance.
Module: Tools Reference Guide
This reference guide offers a comprehensive guide to the basic tools used for transit maintenance. Each section features a description of the tool, a review of common types and key components, safety practices, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and preventive maintenance practices. Some tool sections feature suggested hands-on learning activities and instructional videos.
