Track Laborer

Entry-Level | Traveling Railroad Construction Crew

If you like working with your hands, being outdoors, and seeing the results of a hard day’s work, this is where you belong.

As a Track Laborer with Capital Railroad Contracting, you’ll help build, repair, and maintain the steel backbone of America’s rail system. You’ll swing a hammer, move steel and timber, work shoulder-to-shoulder with a tight crew, and leave a jobsite knowing trains can move safely because of what you did that day.

This is entry-level, but it’s not easy. It’s real work, in real weather, with real responsibility.

If that sounds right, keep reading.

In this role, you’ll perform heavy physical labor using hand tools and power tools to construct, repair, maintain, and sometimes demolish railroad track, associated structures, and components. Typical work includes:

• Handle and place track materials using tools like tie tongs, rail tongs, rail forks, lining bars, shovels, and jacks.
• Attach rail to ties using spike mauls or spike drivers.
• Remove spikes with claw bars, spike lifters, and spike pullers.
• Lift, position, remove, and install railroad crossties in and around the track structure.
• Connect and disconnect rail using track wrenches, impact/power wrenches, or welding materials (as trained).
• Move, clean, and tamp ballast (crushed stone) with shovels, tamping picks, clay picks, lining bars, and ballast forks.
• Raise and adjust track, turnouts, crossings, and rail using track or power jacks.
• Cut steel and other materials with oxygen-acetylene torches, rail saws, cut-off saws, and cold chisels.
• Drill holes using gasoline, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric drill motors.
• Work alongside heavy equipment, connecting, disconnecting, spotting, and signaling material movement.
• Participate in regular safety meetings and follow all safety rules and procedures.
• Wear and maintain appropriate PPE at all times.
• Step up as a crew leader when needed, supervising the crew in the absence of the Track Foreman.

You’ll be handling ballast (15–25 lb. loads) up to most of the day, and working with a crew to move ties and rail (90–100 lb. loads). You may swing a 10 lb. spike maul for a good portion of your shift. This is serious, physical railroad work.

General Requirements

• Work effectively as part of a track crew, supporting your teammates and taking direction.
• Understand and follow verbal, written, and visual instructions.
• Recognize and respond to audible and visual signals and warnings on the jobsite.
• Learn quickly and apply new skills in the field.
• Spot potential hazards, avoid them, and report them immediately.

Other Requirements

• 18 years of age or older.
• Capable of lifting and carrying at least 100 pounds.
• Willing and able to travel to various job sites, including:
• Jobs that require overnight stays
• Jobs that may require short-notice mobilization
• Able to work in all weather conditions and varying environments.
• Able to walk ¼ to 2 miles per day on railroad right-of-way, negotiating steep grades and rough terrain without assistance.
• Capable of working unsupervised at times and still staying productive and safe.

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Railroad or construction experience preferred, but not required for the right individual who’s willing to learn, work hard, and show up every day.

• You take pride in a hard day’s work and like seeing what you’ve built.
• You can maintain good customer relations, representing the company with polite and courteous service.
• You get along with others and respect the crew you work with.
• You can follow directions from supervisors and site managers and ask questions when you’re unsure.
• You operate vehicles and equipment in a safe, efficient, and legal manner (where applicable).
• You can build and maintain strong working relationships with co-workers and leadership.

From time to time, you may be asked to do work that isn’t specifically listed here but is necessary to serve the customer or keep production moving. That flexibility is part of what makes a strong railroad crew.

If you’re the kind of person who doesn’t shy away from hard labor, wants to travel, and wants a real career on the railroad, we want to talk to you.

Apply today to join our track crew and help keep America’s freight moving safely.