Apprentice Freight Car Repair Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Description
At Norfolk Southern, we believe that our people power progress. Our culture is built on our SPIRIT values-Safety, Performance, Integrity, Respect, Innovation, and Teamwork-which guide how we work, lead, and grow together. If you're ready to launch a career in mechanical maintenance and contribute to the reliability of our rolling stock, we invite you to explore the Freight Car Repairer Trainee role.
This hands-on, field-based position prepares individuals for a career in freight car maintenance through structured classroom instruction and on-the-job training. Trainees learn to inspect, repair, and maintain railcars to ensure safe and efficient operations across our network.
What Should You Know

• This is a seniority-based union position.

• You must be available to work shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Extensive travel for training may be required.

• Union membership is required within 60 days of establishing seniority.

Training
Training includes both classroom and field instruction:

• Classroom Training: Mechanical Safety Orientation and craft-specific training in welding and fabrication.

• Field Training: Hands-on experience in car repair shops and yards.

• Duration: Approximately 7 weeks (1 week safety orientation + 6 weeks craft training).

• Norfolk Southern provides lodging and reimburses travel per union agreement.

Job Responsibilities

• Inspect, repair, and maintain freight cars in compliance with FRA and AAR standards.

• Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.

• Perform welding and cutting operations (SMAW and FCAW processes in 2F, 3F, and 4F positions).

• Operate forklifts, cranes, and car-moving equipment.

• Operate various vehicles and may be required to obtain a CDL for operation of Locomotive Service truck.

• Straighten, fabricate, and replace steel parts such as grab irons, ladders, and sill steps.

• Remove and replace defective components including wheels, couplers, brake equipment, air brake valves, yokes, and draft gears.

• Rerail cars and locomotives using rerailing equipment.

• Complete and enter information in computer systems regarding car components, destination, lading, repair records, bad orders, and car releases

• Work safely to prevent accidents and injuries and wear required protective equipment (hard hat, hearing protection, safety-toe boots).

• Complete annual safety training and pass safety rules examinations.

Qualifications - Required

• High school diploma or GED.

• 18 years of age or older.

• Valid driver's license.

• Ability to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening and physical standards.

• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor.

• Must pass background screening and post-offer medical examinations, including drug tests.

Qualifications - Preferred

• One or more years of welding and fabrication experience.

• Mechanical experience or Carman apprenticeship.

• Veterans and transitioning service members encouraged to apply (roles such as 2141, 91B, 91H, heavy equipment mechanics).

Skills and Abilities

• Mechanical aptitude.

• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

• Ability to understand oral and written communication and provide clear instructions

Physical and Mental Job Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.

• Must maintain alertness and concentration while working around heavy, moving equipment.

• Ability to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, climb, and walk long distances over uneven terrain.

• Ability to meet FRA medical requirements:

• Visual acuity (at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both together with or without corrective lenses).

• Hearing-no hearing loss greater than 40B average, at 500, 1000, and 2000 in better ear (can be met with hearing aid).

Work Conditions

• Shop and outdoor environments.

• Shift work across all three shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

• Union membership required.

• This is a safety-sensitive position requiring constant alertness while working around heavy, moving, potentially hazardous locomotive engines.

Compensation and Benefits
Pay Progression:

• 1st 40 Working Days: $21.26 (50% of Full rate)

• Next 204 Working Days: $31.89 (75% of Full rate)

• Next 244 Working Days: $34.01 (80% of Full rate)

• After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $42.52 (100% of Full Rate)

Benefits include:

• Medical coverage begins the first day of the second month after hire.

• Health insurance (80/20 or 85/15 plan), $20,000 life insurance, and 401(k) eligibility from day one.

• Dental and vision coverage after one year of service.
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Job Description
Work shall consist of rail car repairing, inspection, and maintenance in accordance with federal and AAR regulations.
Primary Responsibilities
-Ensure compliance with all railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations
-Inspect car components for compliance with AAR and FRA standards.
-Obtain information from computer regarding car components, destination, lading, and repair records and/or to file data such as repair information, bad orders, and car releases.
-Able to proficiently use cutting torch in all positions.
-Must qualify in SMAW and FCAW welding processes that include 2F, 3F and 4F positions.
-Operate forklifts, light cranes, and car moving equipment.
-Operate various vehicles, maybe required to obtain CDL for operation of Locomotive Service truck.
-Rerail cars and locomotives by using rerailing equipment and perform other work associated with wreck service on the railroad.
-Straighten, fabricate, and replace steel parts such as: grab irons, handholds, ladders, ladder brackets, and sill steps.
-Repair, remove, or replace defective components such as wheels, safety appliances, truck and brake equipment, couplers, yokes, draft gears, and air brake valves, weld broken parts or secure new parts.
Job Requirements
-Work safely to prevent on the job accidents and injuries
-Wear protective equipment such as hard hat, hearing protection, or safety-toe boots
-Complete annual training and pass safety rules examinations
-Federal regulations require random testing for drugs and/or alcohol
-Must pass all required assessments
-Must pass a background screening
-This position is governed by a union agreement and membership is required
-Must pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test
Additional Information
Physical Requirements
-Heavy work, lifting to 50 pounds occasionally
-Stoop/bend/kneel/crouch/crawl/balance/climb
-Walk long distances over uneven terrain
-Demonstrate auditory and visual acuity/tracking/inspection
-Exposure to equipment that intensifies the heat factor on an occasional basis
Skills and Abilities
-Understand oral and written communication
-Problem solving and troubleshooting skills
-Provide clear instructions and directions
-Mechanical aptitude
Minimum Qualifications
-18 years of age or older
-High school diploma or GED
-Mechanical experience
Preferred Qualifications
-One or more years of welding and fabrication experience
-Carman apprenticeship
-Veterans and transitioning service members are encouraged to apply. Military roles that often transition well to this position (but not limited to): 2141, 91B, 91H and heavy equipment mechanics are encouraged to apply.
Training
Travel for paid training to McDonough, GA. Freight Car Repairers will complete 1 week of Mechanical Safety Orientation and 6 weeks of craft specific training concerning welding and fabrication. Norfolk Southern will reimburse travel and pay for lodging as required per union agreement.
Compensation Data
Benefits
-Company Benefits - Eligible 1st day of second month after hire (during training)
-80/20 plan for employee, spouse, and eligible dependents
-Union Benefits
-Medical (Managed or 85/15 Plan)
-$20K Life Insurance
-401 (K) First Day of Employment
-After 1st year of service: Eligible for Dental / Vision
Rate of Pay
1st 40 Working Days: $20.44 (50% of Full rate)
-Next 204 Working Days: $30.66 (75% of Full rate)
-Next 244 Working Days: $32.70 (80% of Full rate)
-After 2 Years/488 Working Days: $40.88 (100% of Full Rate)
Work Conditions
This position is full time, shift work consists of: Irregular hours, including nights, weekend, holidays and occasional overtime.
Travel required for training.
Company Overview
Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a customer-centric and operations-driven freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver more than 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods, and is the largest rail shipper of auto products and metals in North America. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S., serving a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as the Gulf of Mexico and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.
Equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Together, we power progress.