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20 Norfolk Southern Track Laborer Jobs Hiring Near You

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What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Track Laborer, and why are they important?

To excel as a Track Laborer, you need physical stamina, mechanical aptitude, and a high school diploma or GED. Familiarity with track maintenance equipment, hand tools, and safety certifications like OSHA training are commonly required. Teamwork, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help you work efficiently and safely with others. These skills ensure the safe, reliable operation and upkeep of railroad tracks, which is vital for transportation safety and efficiency.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of a Track Laborer and how does this role contribute to overall railroad safety?

As a Track Laborer, your daily tasks involve inspecting, repairing, and maintaining railroad tracks, ties, and ballast to ensure trains run safely and efficiently. You’ll work closely with a crew, using hand tools and heavy machinery, often outdoors in varying weather conditions. This role is essential to railroad safety, as your work prevents derailments and service interruptions. Collaboration with supervisors and other maintenance teams is common, and attention to detail is crucial for identifying and addressing potential hazards.

What are track laborers?

Track laborers are workers responsible for building, inspecting, repairing, and maintaining railroad tracks and related infrastructure. They use various tools and heavy machinery to ensure tracks are safe and in good condition for train operations. The job often involves manual labor outdoors in all weather conditions and may require working nights, weekends, or on-call shifts to address emergency repairs. Track laborers play a vital role in keeping rail transportation running smoothly and safely.

What is the difference between Track Laborer vs Track Maintainer?

AspectTrack LaborerTrack Maintainer
CertificationsOSHA safety training, basic construction certificationsOSHA safety training, track-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, rail yards, outdoorRailroads, maintenance yards, outdoor
Job DutiesAssisting with track installation, repairs, and cleanupInspecting, repairing, and maintaining tracks

Both roles involve outdoor work in rail environments and require safety training. However, Track Laborers focus more on assisting with construction and installation tasks, while Track Maintainers specialize in ongoing inspection and repair of existing tracks. The roles often overlap but differ mainly in scope and specific responsibilities.

What is it like to work at Norfolk Southern?

Norfolk Southern is a company that values a culture of safety, customer service, and community involvement, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. The company operates a large rail network with a diverse workforce, offering opportunities for employees to work in various roles, from operations and maintenance to engineering and customer service, in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. Working at Norfolk Southern may appeal to candidates who are interested in a career in the transportation industry, with opportunities for professional growth and development in a company that prioritizes safety, innovation, and customer satisfaction.
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Infographic showing various Track Laborer job openings at Norfolk Southern in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution.
Track Laborer - Front Royal, VA

Track Laborer - Front Royal, VA

Norfolk Southern Corp.

Front Royal, VA • On-site

$34.42 - $34.93/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Requisition 39853: Track Laborer - Front Royal, VA
Primary Purpose:
Performs physical labor using hand tools and equipment to construct, alter, repair, maintain, and demolish railroad tracks, associated structures, and components. Works as a member of a local Line Maintenance crew.
Click on links to learn more about this position:
Line Maintenance Track Laborer
Principal Duties:
  • Carry and place track materials using hand tools such as tie tongs, rail tongs, rail forks, lining bars, shovels, and jacks.
  • Attach the rail to ties using spike mauls or spike drivers.
  • Remove spikes with claw bars, spike lifters, and spike pullers.
  • Lift, position, handle, remove and install railroad crossties in and around the track structure.
  • Connect and disconnect rail using the track, impact, power wrenches, or welding materials.
  • Move, clean, and tamp ballast (crushed stone-like material) with shovels, clay picks, lining bars, and ballast forks.
  • Raise tracks, turnouts, crossings, and rails with track or power jacks.
  • Cut associated materials with oxygen-propane torches, rail saws, cut-off saws, and cold chisels.
  • Drill holes with gasoline, pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric drill motors.
  • Work alongside heavy equipment by connecting, disconnecting, and controlling material that is being moved and by directing such movement.
  • Participate in safety meetings.
  • Wear all appropriate personal protective equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Must have either a High School Diploma or GED
  • Must be 18 years of age or older.
  • Must have a valid Driver's License
  • Capable of lifting and carrying a minimum of 75 pounds.
  • Willing and able to travel to various job sites, including those that require overnight stays and those that require short notice mobilization.
  • Capable of working in inclement weather and/or conditions.
  • Capable of covering distances afoot up to five (5) miles per day, on railroad right of way, negotiating steep grades and rough terrain, without assistance.
  • Capable of working unsupervised at times.

Skills and Abilities:
  • Interact effectively as a crew member.
  • Understand and follow verbal and visual communications.
  • Understand and respond to audible visual signals and warnings.
  • Quickly learn and perform job duties.
  • Recognize, avoid, and report potential hazards.

Pay Rates for Track Laborer & Traveling Track Laborer:
  • 1st year rate: $30.98 - $31.44 per hour (90% of full rate)
  • 2nd year rate: $32.70 - $33.18 per hour (95% of full rate)
  • 3rd year rate: $34.42 - $34.93 per hour (100% of full rate)

Company Overview
Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) is a Fortune 300 organization and one of the nation's premier transportation companies. Its Norfolk Southern Railway Company subsidiary operates approximately 19,500 route miles in 22 states and the District of Columbia, serves every major container port in the eastern United States, and provides efficient connections to other rail carriers.
We are a team of more than 20,000 employees working together to maintain our reputation as "The Thoroughbred of Transportation." As an industry leader, Norfolk Southern offers a competitive salary and an excellent benefits package.
At Norfolk Southern, we believe in celebrating our individuality. By leveraging the unique backgrounds and viewpoints of our employees, we can create a culture of innovation, respect, and inclusion. We know that employees thrive in a workplace where differing viewpoints, ideas, and experiences are freely shared and valued. As such, we encourage all employees to contribute their distinctive skills and capabilities to our organization.
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.

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