Rail track maintenance worker
Rail track maintenance workers inspect and repair railway tracks, bridges, tunnels and viaducts.
Also known as: Railway worker, track operative
- Starter salary£28,000 a year
- Experienced£43,000 a year
- Typical hours42 to 47 a week
What you'll do
As a rail track maintenance worker, you would:
- lay and repair railway tracks, sleepers and ballast
- inspect track condition and check for defects
- maintain tunnels, embankments, bridges and drainage
- clear obstacles after bad weather and report incidents
- follow strict safety rules
Working environment
You could work on rail tracks.
Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.
You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.
Skills and knowledge you'll need
You'll need:
- knowledge of engineering science and technology
- knowledge of building and construction
- the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
- the ability to work well with others
- excellent verbal communication skills
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- to be flexible and open to change
- problem-solving skills
- to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device
How to become a rail track maintenance worker
You can get into this job through:
- a college course
- an apprenticeship
- applying directly
College
You might find it useful to take an engineering qualification at college before looking for work as a trainee.
Courses include:
- engineering operations
- mechanical engineering
- maintenance engineering technology
Entry requirements
Entry requirements for these courses vary.
Apprenticeship
You could apply to do a Rail Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Rail Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.
You can find apprenticeships with companies like Network Rail and Transport for London.
Entry requirements
You'll usually need:
- some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
- 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
Direct application
If you're over 18, you could look for rail track maintenance worker vacancies. You'll usually start as a trainee.
You'll find it useful to have:
- experience of manual work in a related role like construction or engineering
- GCSEs including English and maths
Restrictions and requirements
As a rail track maintenance worker, you'll work in a safety critical environment around live wires and on train tracks. You'll have a medical as part of the selection process. This will include checks of your hearing and vision.
You might also need to:
- take regular drug and alcohol checks
- have a driving licence so you can drive rail company vehicles
- live no more than an hour away from the location you wish to work
Career path and progression
With experience, you could be promoted to team supervisor or team leader.
With further training, you could become:
- an engineering technician
- a track inspector or project manager
- an engineering surveyor or track designer
Guides for this industry
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