Log In
Sign Up
Full job description
Location
Fort William, GB
Department Name
Scotland’s Railway
About Network Rail
Join Network Rail – Where People and Connections Matter
If you’re ready to make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you!
Scotland’s Railway is part of this large family and it covers a large geographical area from the Borders to Thurso at the far tip of the North East of Scotland, accounting for almost 20 per cent of the UK rail network. We provide rapid access along busy commuter routes to our seven cities, servicing the varied needs of our business and leisure commuter services, including cross border services and rural services. We have up to 50 freight services operating every day and we are steadily building capacity for this to grow. Our ambition to be responsive to passengers and freight users, drives us every day and we’re empowered to do the right thing for those who use the rail network. We actively challenge unsafe practices and take responsibility for addressing risks, resolving issues and protecting safety and wellbeing.
Brief Description
Get your career on track
£32k* starting salary
With a starting salary of £32k* and no experience needed, a career in track at Network Rail is one that pays. Whether you’re a school leaver, looking for a career change, or returning to work after some time out, we want to hear from you. No skills or qualifications required, here at Network Rail we’re looking for potential.
So, what’s the catch? Well, life trackside is challenging, it’s physical, you need determination, but the rewards are worth it. Our Track Operatives work outdoors and around the clock to battle everything from track defects to floods and fallen trees to keep Britain moving. Have you got what it takes?
- Internal candidates – please see the ‘how to apply’ section to see the applicable salaries for this role.
As part of the application process, you will be required to complete some pre-screening questions. Please read each question carefully before responding.
About the role (External)
What does a Track Operative do?
Every single day our rail network carries 18,000 passenger trains and 1,000 freight trains across 10,000 miles of track, resulting in natural wear and tear that our Track Operatives repair.
Carrying millions of people daily, the track is made up of rails, railway ties (sleepers), fasteners, railway switches, ballast and foundations. These components of the railway track play different roles in providing support for trains. Our Track Operatives keep all this in tip top condition to keep passengers and freight moving safely and without interruption.
Using a mix of new technology and manual inspection, Network Rail monitors railway assets around the clock. Maintenance teams are briefed at the start of each shift on the maintenance work to be completed.
As this is an entry level role, Track Operatives support and learn from Track Technicians. This can involve fetching, carrying and using track maintenance tools. Teamwork is a huge part of the job. All Track Operatives receive full training and guidance, learning how to use a range of hand tools and heavy machinery safely. Pending successful learning and development, Track Operatives can progress to Track Technicians.
To reduce disruption to rail services and to increase safety for maintenance teams, this work is often done at night or over weekends. Being able to work a varied shift pattern is important but we’ll provide your roster 4 weeks in advance so you can make plans with family and friends in good time.
What are we looking for?
We’re looking for people with bags of potential who have:
- A full clean driving licence
- Problem solving skills
- Good communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- A strong safety ethic
- Willingness and ability to work shift patterns with a mixture of daytime, evening and weekend work
- The ability to undertake physical manual work outdoors, whatever the weather
- Willingness to undertake medical assessment and drug and alcohol testing, as part of our recruitment process and whilst you’re working for us (it’s a safety requirement)
What’s in it for me?
- Competitive starting salary for Track Operatives with the potential to increase for Track Technicians
- A fresh start – you don’t need to pay for expensive training courses or re-sit any exams, this is an entry level job and full training will be provided
- Development in a range of practical trades and skills to get you to the next career level; many maintenance workers progress to management roles – there’s no stopping you at Network Rail
- Great pension plus the chance to join Network Rail’s leading defined contribution pension scheme after five years’ service
- 75% discount on leisure rail travel for you and your family
- 30 days’ annual leave
- Extra earning potential: 35-hour week with overtime opportunities (there may be a requirement to work on call)
Don’t meet every requirement?
Research suggests that individuals from underrepresented groups may be less likely to apply for a job if they don’t meet all the listed criteria. We are building a diverse and inclusive place to work where people of all backgrounds can thrive. We encourage you to apply for this role.
We’re a Disability Confident organisation and we’ll try our best to adapt to suit individual needs.
Start your career journey with Network Rail and apply now.
How to apply (External)
We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive environment and we welcome applications from everyone!
Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader 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.
You can visit Evenbreak’s Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you’re unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please contact [email protected].
Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. Applicants should demonstrate their personal commitment to safety in their application.
All applicants must complete and pass the pre-screening questions in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Grade: Maintenance Grade Terms and Conditions (Standard Maintenance Contract)
Salary: £32,639
Closing date: Midnight on Wednesday 8th of May 2026 – late applications will not be accepted.
We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date (based on application volumes) so if you are interested in this vacancy, we encourage you to make your application as early as possible.