Family-Owned & Operated Since 1975

Johnson Railway Service provides locomotive service and repair, locomotive rebuilding, and locomotive leasing for industrial plants and mines. Since 1975, we have built our reputation on experienced workmanship, reliable service, and quick response when our customers need it most.

SUPPORTING INDUSTRIAL PLANTS AND MINES

BASED IN THE SOUTHEAST

SERVING NATIONWIDE

Built on Experience.

Trusted for Decades.

Family-owned and operated since 1975, Johnson Railway Service has spent decades serving industrial customers who depend on reliable locomotive support to keep their operations moving. What began as a family-built business has grown into a trusted name in locomotive service, repair, rebuilding, and leasing for industrial plants and mines. We believe in doing the work the right way, standing behind what we do, and providing the kind of responsive service customers can count on when downtime matters. That commitment continues to shape the way we serve our customers today.

Locomotive Services Built

Around Your Operation

Johnson Railway Service provides practical, dependable locomotive support for industrial customers who need experienced service and quick response. With field and shop capabilities, we help customers address repairs, plan maintenance, and keep equipment working the way it should. Johnson Railway Service proudly serves industrial plants and mines that rely on locomotive power as part of their daily operations.

Locomotive Service & Repair

Locomotive field service repair

FRA inspections

Emergency repairs

Troubleshooting & diagnostics

Scheduled maintenance plans

Power requirement assessments

Locomotive repairs available on site

Remote control OEM installer

Locomotive Rebuilding& Overhauls

Minor Overhauls

Major Overhauls

Complete Rewiring

Locomotive Leasing

Short-term locomotive leasing

Long-term locomotive leasing.

Reliable Service When

It Matters Most

In industrial environments, downtime can quickly become costly. When locomotive issues affect your operation, you need a team that responds quickly, communicates clearly, and knows how to solve problems without cutting corners.

Johnson Railway Service has built its reputation on experienced workmanship, attention to detail, and practical repair solutions that help customers protect their equipment and keep operations moving. We take pride in doing the job right and using the right parts and materials to deliver dependable, long-lasting results.

A Family-Built Railroad
Service Company

Johnson Railway Service was built from the ground up by the Johnson family and has remained family-owned and operated since 1975. That history matters to us because it reflects the way we still do business today with hands-on experience, responsive service, and a strong belief in doing the work right the first time.

For us, this business has never been about being the biggest. It has always been about being dependable, knowledgeable, and ready to help the customers who trust us with crucial equipment and important work.

Honoring the Legacy of
Johnson Railway Service

Chip Johnson

Johnson Railway Service is what it is today because of the people who dedicated their lives to building it, and Chip Johnson was one of them.

As owner of Johnson Railway Service, Chip spent his career growing the family business while earning a reputation for technical expertise, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to quality workmanship.

He graduated from Southern Polytechnic University with a degree in Electrical Engineering and held two U.S. patents related to locomotive technology. However, those who worked with him knew him more for his humility, leadership, heart, and commitment to quality.

Chip believed that lasting customer relationships were built through honest work, attention to detail, and standing behind every repair. Those principles became part of the foundation of Johnson Railway Service and continue to guide our team today.

hugh johnson

In 1975, Hugh Johnson, guided by a strong work ethic and a commitment to craftsmanship, founded Johnson Railway Service.

A second-generation railroader, Hugh built his career with the Florida East Coast Railroad, The Terminal Company in Jacksonville, Florida, and St. Mary’s Railroad before starting his own business from the back of his pickup truck.

Armed with years of railroad experience and unwavering dedication, Hugh was always prepared to tackle any locomotive repair or seemingly impossible challenge. He believed every job deserved his very best, and he wasn’t satisfied until it was done right. Many who worked alongside Hugh learned to live on a Coke and a pack of crackers, a reflection of the long days, hard work, and perseverance he inspired.

More than anything, Hugh built Johnson Railway Service on integrity. Hugh ran his business the way he lived his life: by earning trust through honest work, treating people right, and never compromising on quality.

Today, Hugh’s legacy and values continue to lead our team, and we’re proud to carry forward the company he built from the ground up.

Need Locomotive
Repair,
Rebuilding,
or Leasing Support?

If your operation needs experienced locomotive service, Johnson Railway Service is here to help. Contact our team to discuss your repair, rebuilding, or leasing needs.

Join the Johnson Railway Services Team

At Johnson Railway Services, we’re committed to delivering dependable locomotive repair and field services while building a team that takes pride in quality workmanship, safety, and reliability. If you’re looking for a hands-on career where your skills make a real impact, we’d love to have you join our growing team.

Railroad Office Phone: 864.760.1002

Fax: 864.760.0954

119 Martin Road, Anderson, SC 29626