Manager of Passenger Railcar Excursion Equipment
operation, maintenance, restoration, and lifecycle management of passenger railcars and related
excursion equipment. This role oversees mechanical staff, coordinates inspections, repairs, and
renovations, ensures regulatory compliance (FRA and other governing bodies), manages vendor
relationships, and supports operational readiness for scheduled excursions and special events.
Responsibilities
1. Ensure full compliance with FRA regulations, AAR standards, and applicable state/local rail
safety requirements.
2. Maintain inspections, maintenance, and testing records for all passenger excursion equipment.
3. Lead safety audits, risk assessments, and corrective action initiatives.
4. Promote a culture of safety and operational excellence.
1. Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs for passenger railcars (mechanical,
HVAC, electrical, braking, trucks, interiors).
2. Develop and manage equipment lifecycle and capital improvement plans.
3. Coordinate heavy repairs, restorations, and overhauls.
4. Ensure excursion equipment meets operational, safety, and customer service standards.
5. Manage spare parts inventory and materials planning.
Operations Support
1. Coordinate equipment availability to meet excursion schedules and special events.
2. Work closely with Operations, Transportation, and Marketing teams to support service delivery.
3. Ensure equipment readiness and reliability for peak seasons.
Team Leadership
1. Supervise mechanical staff, contractors, and restoration teams.
2. Provide training, coaching, and performance management.
3. Establish clear expectations and accountability standards.
4. Foster teamwork and cross-departmental collaboration.
Budget & Vendor Management
1. Develop and manage departmental budgets.
2. Track maintenance costs and identify cost-control opportunities.
3. Negotiate and manage contracts with vendors, suppliers, and repair facilities.
4. Prepare capital expenditure proposals.
Customer Experience Support
1. Ensure passenger equipment meets cleanliness, comfort, and presentation standards.
2. Support themed or premium excursion services through equipment enhancements.
3. Balance historical preservation with operational reliability.
Key Competencies
1. Safety-first mindset.
2. Strategic asset planning.
3. Problem-solving and troubleshooting.
4. Decision-making under operational pressure.
5. Strong communication and cross-functional collaboration.
6. Attention to detail and regulatory discipline.
Working Conditions
1. Combination of office and rail yard/shop environment.
2. Exposure to outdoor weather conditions and shop hazards.
3. Availability for nights, weekends, and special excursion events as needed.
4. Occasional travel to vendors or partner railroads.
Required Qualifications
field (or equivalent experience).
2. Five to ten years of experience in rail equipment maintenance, passenger rail operations, or
excursion operations management.
3. Working knowledge of FRA, AAR passenger equipment regulations.
4. Strong leadership and team management experience.
5. Budget management experience.
6. Ability to read technical drawings and mechanical schematics.
Preferred Qualifications
1. Experience with historic or excursion passenger equipment.
2. Experience with capital restoration projects.
3. Knowledge of HVAC, electrical systems, and passenger amenities systems.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field
- Five to ten years of experience in rail equipment maintenance or management
- Working knowledge of FRA, AAR regulations
- Strong leadership and team management experience
- Budget management experience
- Ability to read technical drawings and mechanical schematics
What We Do
SPRING (Succession Planning for Railroads Investing in the Next Generation) is a specialized recruiting and retention agency serving the rail industry. They act as a communication bridge between employers and candidates, helping railroads, suppliers, and contractors address workforce needs through full-cycle recruiting, custom mentorship programs, and training. Their mission is to inspire talent to join and remain in the rail industry, sustaining rail heritage and knowledge as the industry grows.
