Cathcart Rail
A U.S. freight rail services provider operating coast‑to‑coast repair, short‑line, storage, cleaning, transloading and track maintenance.
13 days ago
Junior (1-3 years)
Full Time
Maumee, Ohio, United States
Onsite
Company Size
800 Employees
Service Specialisms
Sector Specialisms
Description
work orders
surface prep
paint mixing
equipment operation
usage logs
inventory count
The painter will interpret job work orders, notify supervisors of required materials, and work collaboratively with crew members and supervisors. Key tasks include inspecting railcars before painting, preparing surfaces through caulking, taping, masking, and protective covering, mixing and spraying paints using various equipment, and maintaining accurate usage logs. Additional responsibilities cover inventory cycle counts, applying decals, gauging wet and dry readings, cleaning and storing equipment, and completing any assigned special projects.
- Interpret work orders to determine required railcar or tank car coatings.
- Notify supervisor of needed materials and equipment.
- Collaborate with crew members and supervisors in a team environment.
- Follow all safety rules and keep the work area clean per ARS EHS policies.
- Comply with the company Quality program and AAR/FRA regulations.
- Inspect railcars for repair completion before painting.
- Prepare surfaces (caulking, taping, masking, protective covering) before painting.
- Maintain paint usage logs and record quantities applied.
- Set up and operate paint equipment such as cup gun, airless spray, and paint reclaimer.
- Conduct inventory counts of painting and blasting supplies.
- Mix paint to vendor specifications and apply via spray or brush.
- Gauge wet and dry mill readings and record per requirements.
- Apply decals and vinyl stencils using appropriate machinery.
- Clean, maintain, and store equipment, adjusting as needed.
- Follow ARS EHS, Quality policies, procedures, and checklists.
- Prioritize multiple tasks with attention to detail.
- Follow oral and written instructions.
Requirements
english
high school
competency exam
safe entry
fitness exam
industrial painter
Guardian Rail operates one of the nation’s leading freight rail and transportation networks, including freight and tank car repair facilities, running repair agents, short line railroads, and contract switching sites. The company is seeking experienced Industrial Painters to apply solvent and water‑based paints to the exterior and interior of railcars and tank cars. The role requires adherence to company guidelines, safety rules, and the ability to read and interpret work orders in compliance with FRA, AAR, and customer specifications.
Applicants must be proficient in reading, writing, and communicating in English and possess a high school diploma or equivalent. They must be able to learn function‑specific operations, pass a knowledge exam, and follow ARS EHS and Quality policies, including detailed recordkeeping. The role also requires knowledge of safe entry tools, attention to detail when prioritizing multiple tasks, and the ability to pass a fitness‑for‑duty exam, background check, and drug screen.
- Proficient reading, writing, and communication in English.
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Ability to learn operational details and pass a competency exam.
- Knowledge of equipment for safe entry and cleaning.
- Pass fitness‑for‑duty exam, criminal background check, and drug screening.
Benefits
Training + Development
Interview process
Visa Sponsorship
Security clearance
- fitness for duty examination required
- criminal background check required
- drug screening required
Overview
60 Locations
Nationwide Expansion
By 2020, the company expanded its footprint across 60 locations in 22 states following the acquisition of Appalachian Railcar Services.
110+ Sites
Expanded Network
After acquiring The Andersons’ railcar repair business in mid-2022, the company boosted its network to over 110 sites across 33 states.
June 2025
Majority Ownership
Tikehau Star Infra took majority ownership, supporting further expansion of the company's coast-to-coast network.
Over 100 Facilities
Nationwide Presence
Today, the company operates nationwide with a network of over 100 facilities, short-line railroads, and services like repair and transloading.
- Founded in 2015 by Thomas and Casey Cathcart, the company began with a single repair facility and grew through strategic acquisitions.
- Its financial growth is backed by infrastructure investors like Star America and Nuveen, with capital from Bank of America-led financing syndicates.
- Typical projects include freight and tank car repair, contract switching, transloading, cleaning, parts fabrication, track maintenance, and railcar storage.
- Standout facts: its evolution from a single shop to one of the largest independent railcar service platforms in under a decade.
Culture + Values
- Safety – We are dedicated to the safety and wellbeing of our team members, our environment, and the communities where we live and work.
- Quality – We are committed to delivering compliant products and services that exceed customer expectations and industry regulations.
- Honest Communication – We hold ourselves accountable for communicating internally and externally in a manner that is clear, timely and with integrity.
- Innovation – We find solutions through creative, forward thinking.
- Teamwork – We work together to leverage individual strengths to achieve our common goals.
- Accountability – We hold ourselves and each other accountable to a higher standard, taking responsibility for our words, actions, and results.
Environment + Sustainability
1,000+
employees
Nearly 1,000 roles are filled across multiple locations to support efficient service operations.
100+
locations
Services are consolidated across 100+ locations to reduce transport redundancy.
- Operates a nationwide railcar services network reducing emissions by optimizing rail logistics versus road transport.
- Supports expansion projects (e.g. Kansas City) with capital investments that improve facility efficiency.
Inclusion & Diversity
- An equal opportunity employer with policies to recruit, hire and promote based on merit regardless of gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other legally protected categories.
- Committed to fostering an inclusive culture that values each other’s perspectives and contributions.
- Highlights workforce diversity as a core strength, drawing on a wide spectrum of ideas.
- No gender-specific statistics or targets disclosed publicly.