Manager, Rail Transportation

Rio Grande Pacific Transit Group • Full-time • Texas (On-site)

Company Description

Rio Grande Pacific Corporation (RGPC) is a Texas-based, privately-held railroad holding company established in 1986, specializing in regional freight railroads, signal construction and design, passenger operations, equipment remanufacturing, dispatching services, and asset leasing. Operating across six states, RGPC manages four short line railroads covering 700 route miles. The company serves approximately 140 freight customers, including major Fortune 500 companies, across diverse industries such as agriculture, chemicals, lumber, minerals, and recycling.

Role Overview

The Manager of Rail Transportation is a key leadership role responsible for the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of all passenger rail services. This position oversees daily train operations, including revenue and non-revenue movements, while ensuring compliance with federal regulations, maintaining high standards of customer and employee safety, and coordinating effectively with multiple internal and external partners.

The ideal candidate brings deep professional experience from FRA-regulated commuter and passenger railroads, proven managerial leadership, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment where safety, precision, and communication are critical.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage daily operations of all revenue and non-revenue train services.
• Oversee train crews, terminals, yards, and stations to ensure safe and efficient service delivery.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with FRA regulations, company policies, and operating procedures.
• Lead, mentor, and develop transportation team members, fostering a culture of safety and high performance.
• Maintain daily coordination with railroads, excursion service providers, and third-party partners.
• Collaborate with Positive Train Control (PTC) contractors, consultants, and internal technical teams.
• Ensure excellent customer service standards and a safe environment for passengers and employees.
• Prepare reports, analyze operational data, and implement improvements to enhance performance.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for operational issues and emergency response.
• Remain available 24/7 to support operations, incident response, and system safety needs.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of professional railroad transportation experience in FRA-regulated commuter or passenger rail operations.
• Minimum of 7 years of managerial or supervisory experience leading transportation, operations, or rail personnel.
• Strong understanding of rail operations, safety practices, incident response, and federal regulatory requirements.
• Proven ability to manage complex rail operations and collaborate across agencies and third-party rail partners.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.