Who We Are
We are Central route. We are the Heart of Britain's Railway. More than a million people rely on us every week, and we help transport nearly a million tonnes of freight every month. But we are more than just tracks and trains, we are a catalyst for jobs and opportunities, a connection to leisure and time with family and friends, and a foundation for communities and neighbourhoods.
We are a key part of the national network, with Birmingham New Street - the busiest station outside of London and the hub of the railway - connecting England, Scotland and Wales, with hundreds of services arriving and leaving every day.
About the role
Every day, thousands of passenger and freight trains rely on our rail network to keep people and goods moving. Behind the scenes, Track Operatives play a crucial role in keeping the railway safe, reliable and ready for service. Natural wear and tear is inevitable, and it's the Track Operative who helps ensure our tracks are maintained to the highest standards.
Our railway is made up of many essential components, including rails, sleepers, fastenings, switches, ballast and foundations. Each part has a vital role in supporting trains safely at speed. As a Track Operative, you'll help inspect, maintain and repair this infrastructure, making a real difference to the journeys people make every day.
This is an entry¿level role and a fantastic opportunity to build a long¿term career in the rail industry. You'll work alongside experienced Track Technicians and Team Leaders, learning on the job and gaining hands¿on experience.
Your day¿to¿day tasks will vary and may include assisting with inspections, handling tools, and supporting planned and reactive maintenance work.
Safety and teamwork are at the heart of everything we do. You'll often be working as part of a close¿knit team and sometimes near live railway lines where trains pass at high speed. Don't worry if you're new to the industry - full training and ongoing support will be provided, including learning how to safely use a range of hand tools and heavy machinery. With the right commitment and development, there is a clear progression pathway to become a Track Technician.
To keep the railway running smoothly and reduce disruption for passengers, much of this work takes place at night, and on weekends. You'll need to be flexible with shift patterns, but rosters are provided in advance so you can plan your time around family and friends. The role is outdoors all year round, so being comfortable working in all weather conditions is important. There is also the opportunity to join an on¿call rota for additional earning potential.
Please note that you must live within a 60¿minute travel radius of the location stated in this advert and hold a valid UK driving licence.
In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/ be...
- Able to work as part of team.
- Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by the business need.
- Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ 1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
- Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.
Salary: standard Maintenance contract £32,639
Closing date: 2nd June 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
We're a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
Your experience and skills
In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/ be...
- Able to work as part of team.
- Able to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Hold and retain competencies relevant to this post, required by the business need.
- Ideally hold (or be working towards) an NVQ 1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject.
- Able and willing to drive vehicles as required by business need.