Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives
Rail construction and maintenance operatives lay, re-lay, repair and examine railway track and maintain surrounding areas.
£27,814
Median Salary
New workers start around £19,894. Normal pay is £27,814 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to £40,329.
Daily Tasks
- Fastens together sections of rail by bolting fishplates to rails.
- Positions lengths of rail, sets of points and crossovers and secures rail with bolts, wooden wedges or clips.
- Spreads ballast and lays sleepers or metal plates at specified intervals.
- Lubricates points, examines fences, drains, culverts and embankments and carries out any necessary maintenance.
- Checks tightness of bolts and wedges, replaces damaged rail chairs and repacks ballast under sleepers if necessary.
- Patrols length of track and visually inspects rails, bolts, fishplates and chairs for distortion or fracture.
Skills employers are asking for
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Speaking
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
Related Courses
FdEng Rail Engineering
This degree will equip you with multi-disciplinary rail engineering and management skills to help you enter the industry.
Length: 2 years
Study: Full-Time
Start date: 8th September 2025
Location: Rail Academy, Gateshead