Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway | Trainmaster (WLE-0084)

Transtar LLC; Canton (OH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) with profit sharing

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Scholarships for dependents

Job summary

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway in Brewster, OH seeks an experienced Trainmaster to supervise train and engine crews, ensure safe, efficient operations, and enforce FRA rules. The role involves field leadership, on‑call duties, and coordination with dispatch, mechanical, and customer service teams.

Responsibilities include safety training, incident investigations, and maintaining regulatory documentation while developing staff and ensuring customer satisfaction across the network.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Prior railroad operating experience preferred.
• Supervisory or leadership experience required.
• Knowledge of FRA operating rules and regulations beneficial.
• Strong communication and decision‑making skills required.
• Microsoft Office proficiency necessary.

Responsibilities

• Manage safe and efficient train operations at all times.
• Enforce FRA regulations, operating rules, safety policies and CBAs.
• Directly supervise train and engine crews for rules, schedules, and customer requirements.
• Conduct operational and efficiency testing and rule compliance observations.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, injuries, and rule violations with documentation.
• Lead, coach, and develop employees to improve performance and safety.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Decision making

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE) is one of the largest regional railroads in the United States and the largest in Ohio, operating 840 miles of track across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. W&LE runs 98 locomotives, moves more than 140,000 carloads annually, and supports operations through seven major rail yards and a 120,000 square foot locomotive and car repair facility. The railroad serves over 110 customers through a diverse fleet of 1,400 owned or leased railcars and hauls a wide range of commodities including steel, petroleum products, aggregates, chemicals, coal, lumber, paper, and plastics. With connections to three Class I railroads, Canadian National, CSX, and Norfolk Southern, and fourteen regional and short line partners, W&LE offers flexible routing and competitive service options.

Founded in 1871 and headquartered in Brewster, Ohio since 1913, the company continues its long legacy with seven day a week interchange operations and 24/7 customer support, delivering dependable, efficient service rooted in both regional heritage and modern capability.

Job Description

The Trainmaster position is an experienced, full-time, exempt salaried supervisory role of Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE). This position is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of trains, supervision of train and engine crews, and enforcement of operating rules in accordance with W&LE standards and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations.

The Trainmaster directly supervises, leads, and develops train and engine service employees to ensure safe, efficient railroad operations while supporting customer service, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives. This role emphasizes safety leadership, rule compliance, operational efficiency, and emergency response. Trainmasters work outdoors in all weather conditions with variable and irregular hours, including nights, weekends, holidays, and on-call response as required.

Duties/Responsibilities

• Manage safe and efficient train operations at all times.
• Enforce compliance with FRA regulations, company operating rules, safety policies, and collective bargaining agreements.
• Directly supervise train and engine crews to ensure compliance with rules, schedules, and customer requirements.
• Conduct operational tests, efficiency testing, and rule compliance observations.
• Investigate accidents, incidents, injuries, and rule violations and complete required documentation.
• Lead, coach, and develop employees to improve performance, safety awareness, and professionalism.
• Coordinate train operations with dispatching, mechanical, engineering, and customer service departments.
• Respond to emergencies, service interruptions, and after-hours incidents.
• Plan and allocate crew resources to meet operational demands.
• Ensure accurate completion of reports, investigations, and regulatory documentation.

Working Conditions

• Work safely at all times in compliance with all safety and operating rules.
• Outdoors in all types of weather for extended periods of time.
• Walk on uneven and irregular surfaces.
• Climb on and off railroad equipment.
• Wear required PPE for the job task(s).

Full Time

• Full time (salary/overtime exempt).
• Variable and irregular work hours with irregularly scheduled days off.
• Employees work weekdays, weekends, nights, and holidays on an on-call basis, 24 hours a day.

Travel

• Travel is required throughout assigned territory and/or system.
• Must be willing and able to work any hours at any location on the railroad in OH and PA.
• Relocation may be required.

Minimum Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Prior railroad operating experience (train or engine service preferred).
• Supervisory or leadership experience.
• Knowledge of FRA operating rules and regulations.
• Strong communication and decision‑making skills.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

Compensation and Benefits

• Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway Company offers competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package including excellent medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short‑term disability, railroad retirement, 401(k) plan, profit sharing, paid holidays, paid vacation, paid personal leave, and college scholarships for dependents.

Drug Free Workplace

• W&LE is a drug‑free workplace and maintains a zero‑tolerance policy.
• Employees are subject to pre‑employment and frequent drug and alcohol testing.
• A DUI or OVI conviction within the last three years will disqualify you from consideration for this position.
• All positions require pre‑employment background verification, physical, and drug/alcohol screening.

Location

• Brewster, OH.