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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: 9th September 2024
Location: Rail Academy

View Course