Rail Track Maintenance Worker

Typical Salary

£18,000 To £34,000

Typical Hours

45 to 47 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

How To Become a Rail Track Maintenance Worker

You can get into this job through:

a college course
an apprenticeship
applying directly

College / University

You'll find it useful to take an engineering qualification at college before looking for work. Relevant courses include:

Level 2 Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
Level 2 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology

2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through an intermediate apprenticeship like:

rail engineering operative

some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

You could apply directly to work as a rail track maintenance worker. You'll usually start as a trainee. You'll find it useful to have:

GCSEs including English and maths
experience of manual work in a related role like construction or engineering

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

knowledge of building and construction
the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
the ability to work well with others
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
to be flexible and open to change
leadership skills
observation and recording skills
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

In your day-to-day tasks you may:

install and renew track, tunnels, embankments, cuttings, level crossings and bridges
check sections of track are the correct distance apart and right height
inspect tracks for defects
report and clear potential obstacles, for example after bad weather
survey sections of track to identify maintenance needs
report accidents and incidents
perform lookout and hand signalling duties during trackside operations

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.

Career Path & Progression

With experience, you could be promoted to supervisor or team leader. With further training, you could become a track inspector, engineering technician, track designer or manager.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a rail track maintenance worker from Network Rail and Transport for London.

Restrictions & Requirements

Restrictions & Requirements are not listed for this job.