Track maintenance ('the permanent way')

The Permanent Way department is responsible for our track -  all 16 miles of the line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, and the many sidings along the way. They are the unsung heroes of the SVR because without a safe set of rails to run on, everyone else's efforts to operate a passenger service would be in vain.  The work includes track maintenance, line inspection, hedging and fencing. There is a track laying gang consisting of full time and volunteer staff working out of Bridgnorth and another maintenance section based at Bewdley. Volunteers can either work with a gang or in pairs. For those who enjoy the outdoor life there are few railway occupations to challenge this department.

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Working on the Permanent Way includes:

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• Line Walking, to inspect the track and look for concerns such as broken sleepers or fishplates, dropped joints, damaged rails and fences, open gates, fire damage and flooded track.

• Dealing with a range of maintenance jobs such as fishplate oiling, lifting and packing of joints, sleeper changing, track ballasting and vegetation management.​​

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Skills/attributes required

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​A reasonable level of fitness is essential as track maintenance can involve walking for a distance on ballast and a certain amount of physical effort. People who enjoy being outside and working in a team would enjoy this type of role.​

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Training

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​Permanent Way workers must take the Personal Track Safety and Working at Height courses. On the job training will also be provided as required.

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