Track Maintenance Operator

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At the heart of our sites is Auckland Palace, the home of the Prince Bishops of Durham and the historic seat of faith and power in the North of England. The experience across our sites is deeply linked to those two themes and are repeated throughout the Palace and its gardens, the Faith Museum and the Mining Art and Spanish Galleries. The collection of our venues, spaces and places invites conversations about belonging, faith, loss, sacrifice, community, love and creativity. We would like our visitors to explore and to discover things about our town, our country and their own lives. We want to create encounters – and need your help to do so.

The role purpose

As Track Maintenance Operator you will assist in the inspection, maintenance and repair of all aspects of the railway line. This job requires someone who is able to carry out physical work outside all year round. They should have a can-do attitude, who takes responsibility for getting tasks done and who is a team player. The role will come with a Mentor for the first 6 months to guide the incumbent through the early stages. No previous experience is required.

Key Responsibilities

The post-holder will be responsible for the following key deliverables and accountabilities:

  • Assist in the inspection, maintenance and repair of the permanent way, which includes:
  • The track and its component parts
  • Fences
  • Crossings
  • Bridges
  • Culverts
  • Cuttings
  • Vegetation clearance
  • Perform lookout and hand signalling duties.
  • Carry out physical work outside throughout the year.
  • Assist with any construction/dismantling work for any special events held by the railway
  • Drive any plant and operate any machinery that they are qualified to do so.
  • Use a variety of hand tools
  • Assist in rectifying any problems that occur to the line, in its day to day running e.g. removal of fallen trees, repairing fences or other line blockages
  • Work as valued member of a small team.
  • Drive road vehicles and plant machinery as required and only if qualified
  • Able to carry out personal development and attend capability enhancing courses

Health & Safety

Be committed to excellent health and safety practice, ensuring familiarity and compliance with Weardale Railway policies, procedures and guidelines and the health and safety of visitors, staff, volunteers and contractors at all times.

Person Specification

Essential:

  • A willingness to learn and good work ethic
  • Able to work unsupervised at times and follow instructions, both verbal and written
  • Able to carry out physical work in all weathers
  • A solid understanding of the principles of health & safety at work
  • Ability to uphold and promote the vision, values and behaviours of the organisation.
  • Able to work as part of a team.
  • Will be required to undertake training to gain further competencies.
  • Flexible approach to hours, including work at weekends, school holidays, evenings and public holidays and in the event of emergencies.
  • Able to pass WR Ltd company medical examination (including for colour blindness).

Desirable

  • Previous railway experience. This can be via an employment scheme
  • Ability to demonstrate good organisational skills.
  • CSCS Card or similar qualification at a Basic Level
  • Able to travel independently around the local area.
  • Competency in the use of power tools such as drills, chainsaws and strimmer’s

The Auckland Project focus

The Auckland Project works hard to create a positive change for those living, working and visiting Bishop Auckland. We have created a visitor destination in Bishop Auckland, incorporating Auckland Castle (once home to the Prince Bishops of Durham), a Spanish Art Gallery, Faith Museum, Walled Garden, Deer Park, Mining Art Gallery, Auckland Tower visitor centre and Weardale Railway.

Our visitor destination and community development programme broadly fits into three areas:

  • The social environment: we help individuals and communities by creating a sense of curiosity, hope and faith in themselves and the world around them. We provide opportunities for skills development and partnerships, building a year-round tourist market and supporting small creative industries to thrive
  • The natural environment: we protect, sustain and enhance the world around us
  • The built environment: we restore and enhance the beauty and historic significance of the buildings, structures and assets in our care.

By working with us, you are helping to ensure the town’s future is as magnificent and vibrant as its past.    

How to Apply 

Apply for this role by downloading and completing an application form from and emailing this to recruitment@aucklandproject.org  

Closing date: 4 September 2025 at 12 noon 

We are unable to accept CVs as application. We only accept a completed application form which can be found at

If we receive a high volume of applications, we reserve the right to close the application process early.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £23,809.50 per year

Benefits:

  • Company pension
  • Employee discount
  • Free parking
  • Life insurance
  • On-site parking

Work Location: In person

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