Janet Goodland joined British Railway through the Management Scheme in 1977. She went to work in the Operational Research Division and Investment Appraisal. In 1988 she was appointed New Works Manager for British Rail: Anglia Region, serving in this role until 1991 when she moved to Network SouthEast undertaking senior roles in investment and planning. In 1993 she joined Railtrack as Head of Strategy and Planning, serving in this role until 1998. In 1998 she moved to become the Director of Thameslink 2000 at Railtrack until 1999, when she served as Director London for Railtrack. In 2002, she began service as

Director Network Development for Network Rail, serving in this capacity until 2009. From 2010 to 2011 she worked as Director Development Projects at Network Rail.