Rail Track Maintainer

Qualified Rate : $33.57 Per hour

Please note that new hires in this role may be paid a lower hourly rate during their qualifying period. In addition, CN employees are also eligible to an employee share investment plan (ESIP), Pension, Benefits, Railroad Retirement Benefits (RRB) and other perks.

Rail Track Maintainer

Enjoying physical labour and working outdoors as well as being safety-minded are vital to a career in rail operations  you like being part of a team and working in different locations every day, a rewarding career in track maintenance will appeal to you. Working on a crew, you’ll be part of an ever-changing, safety-first work environment that ensures our infrastructure is safe, sound and train-ready.

At CN, the careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters. Join us!

If you enjoy working outdoors in a safety-focused team environment, a rewarding career in rail maintenance might be right for you! Working with a crew in different locations, you’ll play a focal role in keeping the economy on track by ensuring that our infrastructure is safe, sound, and train-ready. The careers we offer are meaningful because the work we do matters.

Join us and get your career moving!

The Rail Track Maintainer is responsible for inspecting, repairing and replacing rails, ties, switches and ballasts. The role is performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions and ensures a safe working environment.

• Shift work, with overtime when required.
• Long periods of travel required, including overnight.
• Primarily work outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Repetitive physical activity.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 70 pounds occasionally.

• Maintain CN’s train rails, ties, switches and ballasts through inspection, repair, and replacement.
• Maintain various hand tools for assigned work.
• Remove and replace defective ties, rails spikes, and anchors.
• Repair deviations in track surface, alignment, and gauge.
• Install and repair street and railroad crossings and assist in the replacement or repair of items such as power-operated switches and insulated joints.
• Unload ballasts and distribute track material.
• Sort used track material for loading.
• Ensure railroad right-of-way is clear of brush, vegetation, snow and litter.
• Ensure a safe working environment, by following CN’s safety policies and procedures.

• Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory and safety environment.
• Experience operating heavy equipment and machinery.
• High School Diploma, General Education Diploma (GED), or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must meet all medical fitness for duty requirements for the position, including requirements for Safety.
• Ability to work autonomously, adapt to different situations and handle stress.
• Demonstrate good teamwork and maintain positive interactions with others.
• Dedicated to getting the job done while meeting established standards of quality, safety, productivity and client satisfaction.
• Displays common sense and good judgment.
• Hand-eye coordination.
• Grasping skills

• Welding skills
• Knowledge of signals or Railroad Operating Rules

• Competitive Wages, Benefits, and Pension Plan
• Paid Training and Career Development
• Medical, vision, and dental insurance
• 24/7 Telemedicine Service
• Employee Share Investment Plan
• Educational Financial Assistance Program
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs)
• Extensive Employee Discount Program
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

This position is a unionized position, as such pay and benefits are governed by the applicable Collective Agreement.

Successful candidates will take part in a paid 5-week training program at a CN Campus (Homewood, IL) with additional on-the-job training to help ensure that they have received the adequate knowledge to operate in accordance with regulatory requirements and CN’s safety standards. The training is primarily on health and safety rules as successful completion of the classroom and on-the-job training is required to continue employment as a Track Maintainer at CN.