Freight Car Repairer - Enola, PA 2026

Norfolk Southern Corp. • East Pennsboro Township, PA

75d • Onsite

About The Position

Norfolk Southern is hiring a Freight Car Repairer Trainee for a hands-on, field-based role in freight car maintenance. The position includes structured classroom and on-the-job training to prepare employees to inspect, repair, and maintain railcars in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Association of American Railroads (AAR) standards. Work takes place in shops and outdoor environments and involves operating around heavy, moving equipment. This is a seniority-based union position, and union membership is required.

Training lasts approximately seven weeks: one week of Mechanical Safety Orientation and six weeks of craft-specific welding and fabrication training. Training requires travel to McDonough, Georgia; Norfolk Southern provides lodging and reimburses travel as required by the union agreement.

The role requires shift work with irregular hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, and may involve occasional overtime. Employees must be able to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor. Pay progresses from a trainee rate to the full rate after 488 working days, or two years, as described in the posting. Benefits include medical coverage beginning the first day of the second month after hire, a $20,000 life insurance benefit, and 401(k) eligibility from the first day of employment. Dental and vision coverage are available after one year of service.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Mechanical experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to pass required assessments and background screening.
• Ability to pass a post-offer medical examination, including a drug test, and pre-employment drug and alcohol screening.
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather conditions and perform heavy physical labor.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally; stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, crawl, balance, climb, and walk long distances over uneven terrain.
• Ability to maintain alertness and concentration around heavy, moving equipment.
• Ability to meet FRA visual acuity requirements: at least 20/40 in each eye separately and both eyes together, with or without corrective lenses.
• Ability to meet FRA hearing requirements: no hearing loss greater than 40 dB average at 500, 1,000, and 2,000 Hz in the better ear; hearing aids may be used to meet this requirement.
• Ability to understand oral and written communication and provide clear instructions and directions.
• Problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, and mechanical aptitude.
• Must qualify in SMAW and FCAW welding processes in 2F, 3F, and 4F positions.
• Must be available for irregular shift work, including nights, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime.
• Must obtain union membership as required by the union agreement; the posting specifies membership within 60 days of establishing seniority.
• Must comply with federally required random drug and alcohol testing.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of welding and fabrication experience.
• Carman apprenticeship.
• Veteran or transitioning service member experience, including military roles such as 2141, 91B, 91H, or heavy equipment mechanics.

Responsibilities

• Inspect, repair, and maintain freight cars in compliance with FRA and AAR standards.
• Follow railroad rules and regulations for safety and operations.
• Inspect car components for compliance with applicable standards.
• Retrieve and enter information in computer systems concerning car components, destinations, lading, repair records, bad orders, and car releases.
• Perform cutting-torch operations and welding using SMAW and FCAW processes in 2F, 3F, and 4F positions.
• Operate forklifts, light cranes, car-moving equipment, and various vehicles; obtain a CDL if required to operate a Locomotive Service truck.
• Rerail cars and locomotives using rerailing equipment and perform associated wreck-service work.
• Straighten, fabricate, and replace steel parts such as grab irons, handholds, ladders, ladder brackets, and sill steps.
• Repair, remove, or replace defective wheels, safety appliances, truck and brake equipment, couplers, yokes, draft gears, and air brake valves; weld broken parts or secure replacement parts.
• Work safely to prevent accidents and injuries, and wear required protective equipment.
• Complete annual safety training and pass safety rules examinations.

Benefits

• Medical coverage begins the first day of the second month after hire.
• Medical plan options, including an 80/20 or 85/15 plan; the posting also references managed or 85/15 plans and coverage for employees, spouses, and eligible dependents.
• $20,000 life insurance.
• 401(k) eligibility from the first day of employment.
• Dental coverage after one year of service.
• Vision coverage after one year of service.
• Lodging for training and travel reimbursement as required by the union agreement.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED