EAST LANCASHIRE LIGHT RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED
Locomotive Works @ Baron Street
Full-time
Job title

Pay /Grading:

Company
Benefits:

Reporting to:
Supporting
Business:
Department:

Job Purpose:

Fitter/Machinist Large Machine Operative

Dependent upon experience
  38 hours per week, full time

Free travel on East Lancashire Light Railway services
Rail Staff Travel Scheme, which allows travel on UK National Network
for 25% off the normal fare (available after 6 months in role)
Company pension scheme
Group Life Insurance inc death in service benefit
Employee Assistance Programme
BUPA Healthy Minds
Help@Hand inc access to 24/7 remote GP appointments
MPD Manager
Head of T&RS
Engineering
Traction and Rolling Stock

Support the General Manager on behalf of the board of directors to facilitate maintenance and
repair/overhaul of the ELR’s vehicle fleet in accordance with the needs of the railway, this will also
include revenue generating activities incorporating third party work.
Main accountabilities:

The post holder will perform a variety of functions, main accountabilities are detailed below but
this list is not exhaustive.

•  To operate the large machine tools in the workshop, including the wheel lathe and
vertical borer as required.
•  To operate smaller machine tools as required.
•  To assist in the maintenance and rebuilding of locomotives.
•  To carry out precision machining work to specified tolerances, ensuring all finished
components meet standards.
•  To provide training and assistance to other members of staff to increase the skills of
the entire staff.
•  Assist in all matters regarding safety in the Locomotive Works i.e. Risk Assessments,
Method Statements etc.
•  Provide expertise and experience where needed on all aspects of locomotive
restoration and maintenance.
•  Support the planning and scheduling of machining work to optimize workshop
productivity.

Author: Harry Billmore  – Date: August 2025

Authorised by:
Lee Kenny

General Manager:

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•  Ensure accurate completion of job cards, maintenance records, and other
documentation to maintain traceability and compliance.

Responsibilities

•  Machining wheelsets, tyres, journals and boss faces on contract work and internal

work.

•  Machining axleboxes, eccentrics and anything else required by the company.
•

Inspect and measure completed work using appropriate tools and gauges, ensuring
compliance with engineering drawings.

•  To identify and arrange servicing of equipment as and when needed.
•  To ensure that any engineering decision that may affect safety must be risk assessed,

and control measures applied, where necessary seek advice from engineering
department managers.

•  Help train other members of the team.
•  To aid and support the departmental head in achieving departmental targets,

ensuring the department is working to relevant policies laid down.

•  Work collaboratively with other engineering teams, contractors, and external

suppliers to deliver projects on time and within budget.

•  Participate in continuous improvement initiatives to enhance workshop safety,

efficiency, and output.

Author: Harry Billmore  – Date: August 2025

Authorised by:
Lee Kenny

General Manager:

Page 2 of 5

Organisational Position:

Role of the Department:

To facilitate Safe operation of railway vehicles that operate on ELR Infrastructure, this includes
general maintenance, repair and overhaul.

Location:
Locomotive Works @ Baron Street

Direct reports:

1.  None

General:

•  Perform other duties as may be reasonably required by the General Manager.
•  Adopt a safe working attitude and acquire a full knowledge of, and compliance with,
relevant parts of the Rule Book, Safety Management System, Emergency Procedures
and other company and departmental procedures.

•  Take reasonable care for the Health, Safety and Welfare of yourself and of other

persons who may be affected by your acts or omissions.

Author: Harry Billmore  – Date: August 2025

Authorised by:
Lee Kenny

General Manager:

Page 3 of 5

•  Do not intentionally or recklessly interfere with or misuse anything provided in the

interests of Health, Safety or Welfare.

•  Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including the Health & Safety at Work

etc. Act 1974, the Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety)
Regulations 2006 and the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 so far as they apply to
you and/or those you are responsible for.

•  Wear and maintain all required PPE and ensure that workshop areas are kept clean

and free from hazards.

•  Report any incidents, near-misses, or equipment defects immediately in accordance

with company reporting procedures.

Key experience and qualifications required:
This section outlines the criteria that are required of the post holder

Person Specification

Personal and Physical
Aged at least 18 years. Meets ELR medical requirements for the engineering section.
Education and experience
Educated to at least GCSE standard and must be literate and numerate
Must  be  time served with  at  least 10 years’  experience of engineering  and  machining  large  components.
Preferably in the Heritage Rail Sector.
Must have experience operating wheel lathes and vertical borers.
Must have good Communication Skills.
Experience in interpreting engineering drawings and technical specifications.
Ability to work independently and as part of a team in a safety-critical environment.

Physical Requirements
Ability to stand and walk for extended periods (e.g., site inspections, workshop duties).
Ability to climb steps, ladders, and access equipment at height.
Ability to bend, kneel, and crouch when working in confined spaces or under equipment.
Ability to ascend/descend gradients, trackside areas, and uneven ground safely.

 Strength & Handling
Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull items up to a defined safe weight limit (commonly 20–25 kg
unaided, with lifting aids provided for heavier loads).
Capability to use hand tools, power tools, and operate equipment requiring grip strength and
dexterity.
Ability to handle components, materials, or equipment safely in accordance with manual handling
procedures.

Author: Harry Billmore  – Date: August 2025

Authorised by:
Lee Kenny

General Manager:

Page 4 of 5

Vision & Hearing
Good visual acuity (with corrective lenses if required) sufficient to read instruments, drawings, and
safety notices.
Colour vision adequate for interpreting wiring, signals, or safety-critical equipment (where relevant).
Sufficient hearing (with aids if required) to detect alarms, warning signals, and verbal instructions
in noisy environments.

  Environmental Tolerance

Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions (heat, cold, rain, etc.).
Willingness to work in noisy, dusty, or oily environments with appropriate PPE.
Tolerance of shift patterns, weekends, and extended working hours when required.

  Coordination & Dexterity

Good hand–eye coordination for precision engineering tasks.
Manual dexterity to assemble, adjust, and repair small or intricate components.

  Safety & Fitness

Ability to maintain balance and stability when working at height or near moving equipment.
Fitness level appropriate for safety-critical working environments .

Experience in

•  Welding and Fabrication experience would be advantageous

Author: Harry Billmore  – Date: August 2025

Authorised by:
Lee Kenny

General Manager:

Page 5 of 5

Fitter/Machinist Large Machine Operative - EAST LANCASHIRE LIGHT RAILWAY COMPANY LIMITED | Work In Charities