Rail Track Maintainer; Illinois

Rail Track Maintainer (Illinois Central)

Please note that the language you select on this site will be the primary language used for all future communications regarding your application.

Job Description Create alert for similar job.

Rail Track Maintainer (Illinois Central) Req

Job Location:

Griffith - IN, Markham - IL Business Unit:
Operations Highest Level Division:
Engineering Posting

Start Date:

10/14/26 Posting End Date: 10/31/2026 11:59 EDT French/English Bilingual Requirement:
No Qualified Rate: $34.83 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. At CN, the careers we offer are meaningful because the work that we do matters.

Every day, our team of dedicated railroaders power the North American economy from coast-to-coast-to-coast, with an unwavering commitment to safety and service excellence. If you enjoy hands-on tasks, working outdoors, and have a safety-first mindset, a career in railway operations might be right for you. With fresh challenges, paid training, and a host of great benefits - a career at CN means work that makes a true difference in the lives of people.

Join us today and get your career moving!

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

• 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

• Shift work, with occasional overtime when necessary
• Long periods of travel required, including overnight
• Primarily performed outdoors in various types of weather and environmental conditions
• Repetitive physical activity
• Physical: lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently, and up to 70 pounds occasionally
• Respirator use is required for certain tasks, with periodic audiometric testing and respirator fit testing conducted as needed

• Relevant work experience in similar working conditions or regulatory and safety environment
• Experience operating heavy equipment and machinery

• High School Diploma or General Education Diploma (GED)
• Valid driver's licence

• We Care About Each Other
• We Strive for Excellence
• We Succeed Together
• We Lead Responsibly

• 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 manage 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*
• * Any knowledge for these above would be considered as an asset

The incumbent receives classroom training over a period of 4 weeks at 40 hours per week. The training is primarily on health and safety rules and basic machine operator procedures. Successful completion of the classroom training is mandatory in order to work as a Rail Track Maintainer.

This position is a unionized position. As such, pay and benefits are governed by the applicable collective agreement.

About CN CN is a premium railroad that sustainably generates value for our customers, shareholders, employees, and stakeholders with an unwavering commitment to safety and service. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured…