After a selection process,[2] he was invited to take up a seven-year appointment as Chief Commissioner for Railways and Tramways, New South Wales.
[3] In 1908 Johnson addressed striking tramway workers, with such effect that they returned to work.
In 1917 he was called on by the Victorian Railways to advise on the means of upgrading its business practices.
[4] He was mentioned as possible successor to Henry Deane as Engineer-in-chief of Commonwealth Railways in 1914.
[5] He married Ada Marion Thornett in London c. 23 August 1914.