Heavy Equipment Operator – Railroad Track Maintenance

Road & Rail Services
Home Base: Frankfort, KY
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Job Type: Full-Time
Travel Requirement: 100% Nationwide Travel
CDL: Preferred, but not required

Put Your Railroad Equipment Experience to Work

Road & Rail Services is hiring an experienced Heavy Equipment Operator to join our traveling railroad track maintenance team. This position is based out of Frankfort, Kentucky, with projects located throughout the United States.

This is a 100% travel position. Employees will travel continuously between project locations and may remain away from home for extended assignments. Candidates looking for a local or home-daily equipment operator position should carefully consider the travel requirements before applying.

We're looking for someone with experience operating heavy equipment in railroad track maintenance, Maintenance of Way (MOW), track construction, or a closely related environment. You'll work alongside track crews using heavy machinery to construct, maintain, repair, and improve railroad infrastructure.

What You'll Do

As a Heavy Equipment Operator, your responsibilities may include:

 Operate excavators, backhoes, loaders, and other heavy construction equipment

 Operate tampers, regulators, and specialized railroad equipment when trained and qualified

 Support railroad track construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects

 Assist crews with removing and installing railroad ties, rail, and track components

 Perform grading, excavation, material placement, and site preparation

 Support track surfacing, stabilization, and alignment activities

 Move, load, unload, and stage track materials and equipment

 Work safely around active railroad tracks, equipment, vehicles, and crew members

 Complete equipment inspections before beginning work

 Identify and report equipment defects or mechanical concerns

 Recognize unsafe conditions and communicate concerns to supervision

 Assist with basic equipment care and maintenance

 Follow company, customer, and applicable railroad safety procedures

 Follow applicable Federal Railroad Administration requirements

 Maintain a clean and organized work area

 Wear all required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Experience We're Looking For

Qualified candidates should have:

 Minimum two years of railroad track maintenance or Maintenance of Way experience

 Previous professional experience operating heavy equipment

 Experience working around railroad tracks or railroad construction activities

 Ability to safely operate equipment around ground crews and other machinery

 Understanding of railroad job-site hazards and safe work practices

 Valid state-issued driver's license

 Ability and willingness to travel nationwide 100% of the time

 Ability to remain away from home for extended project assignments

 Dependable attendance and punctuality

 Strong communication and teamwork skills

 Ability to work independently and follow instructions

 Ability to perform physical work when not operating equipment

Preferred Qualifications

 Commercial Driver's License (CDL) preferred, but not required

 Experience operating tampers, regulators, or other Maintenance of Way equipment

 Previous experience with a Class I railroad, short-line railroad, railroad contractor, or track construction company

 Additional equipment certifications or railroad qualifications

Nationwide Travel & Work Environment

This position requires approximately 100% nationwide travel. Projects may take place throughout the United States, and employees must be prepared for frequent overnight stays and extended periods away from home.

Work is performed primarily outdoors around railroad tracks and heavy machinery. Employees should be prepared to work in heat, cold, rain, snow, wind, humidity, and other changing conditions.

Pay & Benefits

Pay: $25.00 per hour

Road & Rail Services offers eligible full-time employees:

 Medical insurance

 Dental insurance

 Vision insurance

 401(k) with company match

 Paid holidays

 Paid vacation

 Annual steel-toe boot allowance

 Company-provided PPE

 Training and professional development

 Opportunities for advancement

 Promote-from-within culture

 Veteran-friendly workplace

Take Your Equipment Skills on the Road

Established in 1987, Road & Rail Services provides railroad construction, maintenance, and operational services throughout North America.

We're looking for an experienced operator who understands that successful railroad construction requires more than knowing how to run a machine. It requires safety awareness, communication, reliability, and the ability to work as part of a traveling crew.

If you have Heavy Equipment Operator and Maintenance of Way experience and are prepared for nationwide travel, apply today to join Road & Rail Services.

CDL preferred, but not required.

Road & Rail Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary : $25