Job Description

The Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is an award winning heritage attraction welcoming up to 250,000 visitors every year. This full-size standard-gauge railway line runs regular, mainly steam-hauled, passenger trains between Kidderminster in Worcestershire and Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Along the line the SVR operates two pubs, eight catering outlets, three shops and a visitor centre. In support of the railway operation there is a thriving Engineering Workshop, Diesel Depot, and Carriage & Wagon Works.

With an annual turnover of around 8m, the SVR employs 80 people in full and part-time roles and a further 1,600 in voluntary roles. The SVR is a significant employer in the counties of Worcestershire and Shropshire.

The SVR is proud of its position as a nationally recognised and award-winning heritage attraction. Severn Valley Railway is an umbrella name for three constituent organisations plus supporting owner groups of locomotives, carriages and wagons. Collectively the SVR's mission is to: "To enthuse and inspire an affection and understanding in our visitors and staff for the Severn Valley Railway and the bygone era of steam locomotion and heritage diesels through the operation and interpretation of the Railway infrastructure, locomotives, historic carriages and wagons."

In 2025, the Railway is celebrating 60 years in preservation and supporting Railway 200. This year-long nationwide celebration marks the 200th anniversary of modern railways and aims to attract the next generation of pioneering talent.

Role Outline

Primarily based in Kidderminster, and at other SVR locations as required, this role will work as a member of a small team carrying out the examination, maintenance, servicing and repair of heritage rolling stock to a high standard.

The contract is permanent and full-time, working 39 hours per week, based on a five in seven working week. Flexible working will be required based around the requirements of the role, which may include occasional weekends, bank holidays, unsociable hours and on call commitments.

Salary will be dependent on skills and experience.

Benefits include company pension scheme, life assurance, free on-site parking, travel discounts on the national rail network (subject to a qualifying period), SVR travel vouchers, employee discounts, Employee Assistance Programme, 23 days annual leave plus bank holidays.

Duties and Responsibilities

Undertake bodywork, mechanical maintenance, servicing and repair, including work on 24v electrical systems, on heritage coaching stock, meeting the requirements of the SVR Safety Management System.

Undertake external cleaning of heritage coaching stock, using a variety of methods from hand washing through to external carriage wash plant.

Assist in the production and upkeep of carriage maintenance records.

Supervision of other more junior personnel, including apprentices and volunteers, and where necessary, overseeing their work for quality and safety compliance.

Assist with the identification and closure of gaps in training and competency levels of apprentices, junior staff and occasionally staff from other heritage railways.

Act as a role model to others, maintaining healthy team dynamics and providing support to supervisor/management as required.

Assist with driving cost savings, process improvements and systems to improve productivity.

Accountable for maintaining a safe workplace and personal safety and adherence to SVR health and safety policies.

Develop and maintain a range of skills in multiple aspects of railway bodywork repair and maintenance.

Perform within targets and timescales agreed with supervisor and/or other members of SVR senior leadership team.

Work with other department members, paid and volunteer, as agreed with supervisor and/or other members of SVR senior leadership team, working within a team environment, but on occasion working on your own initiative.

Advising management and/or office administrators of goods ordering and receipt, where necessary, to facilitate a smooth flow of work.

Carry out shunting of carriage stock as necessary to facilitate safe and optimal working conditions for maintenance tasks and external carriage cleaning.

Key Relationships

Bodywork and Mechanical maintenance, repair and overhaul personnel

Engineering administration staff

Operations personnel

Skills and Experience Required

Competent in the safe and appropriate use of:

o Bench fitting and use of hand tools

o Use of handheld power tools (drills, abrasive wheels, etc.)

o Work consistently and accurately to specifications (verbal or written)

o Assist in record keeping

Desirable skills:
o Basic woodworking skills

o Plumbing

o Glazing

o Painting/signwriting

o 24v electrical systems

o Railway Safety Critical examination of locomotives and/or rolling stock

o Railway Safety Critical operational competence

Qualifications or Training Required

Desirable:

IOSH certification

First Aid

Forklift truck/plant operator

Fire safety awareness and requirement to undertake necessary training as a Fire Marshal

Special Working Conditions

Activities in the workplace can be physically demanding

A need to undertake all required training, including passing the in-house Personal Track Safety examination

Requirement to work at height

Requirements to work outside and in hot and cold conditions

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Benefits:

Company pension Employee discount On-site parking Store discount
Work Location: In person