Railway fitters work with the traction units that pull trains, passenger carriages and goods wagons. The role may involve:

• building new traction units and carriages
• servicing and repairing traction units
• routine maintenance checks
• using hand and machine tools to fit spare parts
• re-wiring and making adjustments to fix faults. 

Technical drawings and manuals are used for reference. Work is carried out alongside other craftspeople such as carpenters, painters, upholsterers and sheet metal workers.

Hours and Environment

The working week is normally around 37 hours. Shift work is likely and may include weekends and bank holidays.

The workplace is usually a depot or workshop. Most of these are enclosed and heated. However, some fitters may work outside on the sidings. The work can be dirty and oily. Protective clothing and footwear are provided by employers.

Skills and Interests

To be a railway fitter, you should:

• be flexible to work shifts and anti-social hours
• have good eyesight, including normal colour vision, and good hearing
• have literacy and numeracy skills to work with technical drawings and write reports
• have the ability to develop expertise in a mechanical or electrical field
• be computer literate
• be able to learn to use hand and machine tools
• have patience and a logical approach for fault finding
• be safety conscious
• be a team player but also able to work independently
• be physically fit.

Entry

Experience of working as a mechanical fitter, electrician or multi-skilled craftsperson in another industry is usually desirable.

You will usually have to pass a medical examination for physical fitness, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. There may also be an aptitude test or an assessment of your existing skills and knowledge.

Once of the main entry routes for this job is through an apprenticeship scheme with Network Rail or Tube Lines and Metronet Rail on the London Underground. Entry requirements for Network Rail's Advanced Apprenticeship scheme are four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3), including English, maths and science. Tube Lines and Metronet Rail's schemes have similar requirements.

See the Careers in Rail website for more details about jobs and training in the rail industry.

Personal Track Safety
You must hold a track safety card before you can work trackside. Your employer will put you through the Personal Track Safety (PTS) course and on completion, you will be awarded a safety card. This course is only available to workers employed by rail engineering companies; it is not open to the general public. 

For information about the safety card and training providers, see the National Competency Control Agency website in Further Information.

Training

As an apprentice, you would first train in basic engineering craft skills in a workshop. You would then spend time in different workshops working on maintenance tasks under the supervision of experienced people. You would also go to a college on day release to learn the theoretical aspects of the work.

SVQ Rail Transport Engineering Maintenance (Traction and Rolling Stock) or (Plant) at levels 2 and 3 and NVQ Railway Engineering at levels 1 to 3 are currently available.

Opportunities

Employers include the Train Operating Companies (TOCs), London Underground, light rail and metro companies in big cities, freight companies and leasing companies. It may also be possible to work with specialist maintenance companies who are contracted by operating and engineering companies.

Qualified and experienced craftspeople are most likely to gain employment in this field. However, apprenticeship opportunities for school and college leavers are increasing as the industry continues to grow. For example, major track and Underground upgrading programmes are being introduced, as the south-east gears up for the 2012 Olympics.  

Opportunities for promotion are usually to maintenance team leader or manager. Through further training or academic study towards an engineering technician or degree level qualification, it can be possible to broaden promotional opportunities or change career.

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Apprentices earn between £8,000 and £13,000, depending on the stage of training.
Experienced fitters average about £17,000 to £20,000 a year.
Some fitters can earn over £28,000 a year.

An extra benefit may be free or reduced price travel.

Further information

Human Resources Department
Central Station
East Bridge Street
Belfast
BT1 3PB
Tel: 028 9089 9400 40 Melton Street
London
NW1 2EE
Tel: 020 7557 8000 Concorde House
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520