The construction of specialty characteristics shall start from the overall characteristics of the school, take the specialty group as the perspective, find the characteristic construction direction in the whole industrial chain, and improve the connotation of specialty. To promote the development of the specialty of mechanical and electrical equipment maintenance and management in domestic polytechnics, taking the construction process of this specialty in Guangzhou Railway polytechnic as an example, it was discussed on why and how to carry out the construction of major characteristics with the main line of the equipment maintenance of rail transit stations and train vehicle repair plants. Aspects were discussed including the establishment of curriculum system, the construction of specialty teachers’ team, the construction of teaching software and hardware resources and the monitoring of teaching quality. The results can be used for reference in the construction of similar specialties in China.