Job Description

Manager of Train Operations

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE) is one of the largest regional railroads in the United States and the largest in Ohio, operating 840 miles of track across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. W&LE runs 98 locomotives, moves more than 140,000 carloads annually, and supports operations through seven major rail yards and a 120,000-square-foot locomotive and car repair facility. The railroad serves more than 110 customers and maintains connections with Canadian National, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and fourteen regional and short line railroad partners.

Founded in 1871 and headquartered in Brewster, Ohio since 1913, W&LE continues its long tradition of providing safe, reliable, and efficient freight rail transportation throughout the region.

Job Description

The Manager of Train Operations is a full-time, exempt leadership position responsible for overseeing safe, efficient, and reliable railroad transportation operations. Based in Brewster, Ohio, this role manages the Operations Center and is responsible for train plan execution, line-of-road and yard operations, locomotive utilization, and coordination with interchange carriers and customers. The position reports to the Superintendent and/or General Manager and provides direct leadership to Dispatchers, Yardmasters, and other key operations personnel.

Key Responsibilities

• Monitor train movements, schedules, and on-time performance.
• Coordinate dispatching activities, including route management, track occupancy, meets, and conflicts.
• Manage operational disruptions, including mechanical issues, signal failures, weather events, and other incidents.
• Prioritize rail traffic and determine train sequencing to support efficient railroad operations.
• Maintain accurate operational records and ensure effective communication during shift transitions.
• Support regulatory compliance and adherence to railroad operating requirements.
• Promote customer service awareness and operational excellence.
• Communicate and coordinate with multiple operating departments and field personnel.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Experience in railroad transportation, train operations, yard operations, or an operations center environment.
• Strong knowledge of railroad operating practices, operating rules, and safety procedures.
• Demonstrated leadership ability with experience coaching, developing, and holding employees accountable.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to work effectively with train crews, dispatchers, mechanical personnel, engineering personnel, and other operating departments.
• Proficiency with computers, business applications, and operational software.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining effective communication with management and field personnel.
• Ability to work irregular schedules, including nights, weekends, holidays, and extended shifts, as operational needs require.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous railroad operating experience.
• Prior experience as a Conductor, Engineer, Yardmaster, Dispatcher, Trainmaster, or other railroad operating employee.
• Leadership experience in an operations center environment.
• Knowledge of FRA regulations and railroad safety requirements.
• Experience with crew management, train scheduling, train service logistics, and/or terminal operations.
• Experience investigating incidents, accidents, injuries, or operating-rule violations.
• Experience using railroad transportation-management or crew-management systems.
• Previous experience leading safety initiatives or operational improvement programs.

Work Environment

This position operates in a 24/7 railroad environment. The successful candidate must be willing and able to work a flexible schedule that includes nights, weekends, holidays, on-call assignments, and extended hours. Travel throughout the assigned operating territory may be required.

Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to providing safe, reliable rail service through a workforce dedicated to safety, teamwork, and operational excellence.

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