Track maintenance operative

Track maintenance operatives look after railways, tunnels and bridges to make sure trains run safely and efficiently.

You'll focus on inspecting, repairing and maintaining railway tracks and related infrastructure. It's a hands-on role where your work directly affects the safety and reliability of train services. You'll get a real sense of achievement knowing your efforts help keep passengers and goods moving across the country.

You might replace worn rails, fix points and crossings or check for faults after extreme weather. The work is varied and can involve using specialist tools and machinery. Track maintenance operatives are mainly found in the rail industry, working for train operating companies, infrastructure providers or specialist contractors. Some operatives specialise in areas like welding, signalling or track geometry.

Your tasks might include:

• inspecting tracks for damage or wear and adjusting alignment

• replacing or repairing rails, sleepers and fastenings

• clearing debris and vegetation from the track area

• using hand tools, pneumatic drills, welding equipment and heavy machinery

• following health and safety processes, such as reporting accidents and incidents

• working overnight or at weekends to minimise disruption

Green job

In this job you could be doing work to help the environment. You might:

• use electric or hybrid equipment to maintain and repair the tracks

• manage vegetation at the side of the tracks without using harmful chemicals

• reduce waste generated on the railways by recycling old tracks and sleepers

• support projects that upgrade tracks for greener, electric trains

Find out more about green jobs.

• WISE —inspires girls and women to study and build careers using science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

• Network Rail — learn what it's like to work in maintenance engineering.