Train Controller in Swindon

We are at the start of something powerful. Heavy Haul Rail was created with a simple but transformative belief: the UK deserves a smarter, cleaner, more resilient freight future. Every role in this business carries purpose. Whether you work in operational delivery, driving trains, engineering, or business support, the work you do contributes directly to reducing emissions, easing road congestion, strengthening supply chains and powering British industry. This is meaningful work, with real impact.

Previously operating as Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business, we are now an independent company following CMA CGM Group’s acquisition of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics business in January 2026. Heavy Haul Rail is the UK’s next-generation rail freight partner built for a sector ready to evolve. We believe it’s time to move differently. Congested roads, rising emissions, fragile supply chains. These aren’t just logistical challenges; they’re environmental and economic wake-up calls. We’re here to lead the modal shift, helping businesses transition from road to rail with confidence, clarity, and measurable impact.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets. The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons. Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week. Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

What You’ll Do

• To control real time performance delivery and the operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd UK services by means of:
• Continuous communication between those staff involved in running the scheduled service and in cases of widespread disruption to our services, the Management Team, Press Officer and customers.
• Control of resources and locomotives to ensure that they are provided at the correct place and time as demanded by the train plan, including hiring in and out resources and assets.
• Minimise and manage the effects of operational incidents, staff shortages, cancellations, lateness, etc.
• Continued monitoring of services, to ensure that they are correctly controlled and regulated by Network Rail, and those services are not disadvantaged against other train services.
• Complying with Rail Group Standards and Heavy Haul Rail Ltd Standards, Codes of Practice, Rules and Regulations and procedural instructions relevant to the activity.
• First line representative for Heavy Haul Rail Ltd interests.

Safety

• You have specific duties and responsibilities on a day-to-day basis for the occupational health and safety of colleagues, stakeholders and other rail users.
• Ensure a positive safety culture is developed within your area of responsibility, which is supported by robust safety processes in accordance with company, industry standards and legislation.
• Follow HS&E procedures to ensure safe working practices, prevent pollution, minimise impacts, maintain competence, and report incidents.
• Ensure that where appropriate, actions are carried out in accordance with emergency procedures for major incident/ accident management or any other rules, procedures and instructions relevant to your role.
• Ensure that any operating or occupational accidents and incidents involving employees that are identified by you, or identified to you by other people, are advised to your line manager.
• Ensure that any safety equipment provided to you that you have been trained to use, is deployed in a proper and appropriate manner.
• Ensure all safety critical staff comply with the company Drug and Alcohol Policy (RG_GEN023).
• Manage the normal day to day operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd services in a safe and proper manner in accordance with Safety Certificate, railway Group Standards and Heavy Haul Rail Ltd requirements via the company standards and training provided.
• Ensure that all communication in relation to Heavy Haul Rail Ltd train services complies with all current operating rules, regulations and notices.
• Ensure that statutory reporting is carried out as required.
• Notification of instances to first, second line and engineering on call.
• Taking prompt and appropriate action to ensure safety of people and equipment and infrastructure in normal operating conditions and during out of course situations as detailed in company standards.
• Comply with instructions contained within company standards including mandatory safety training.
• Observe requirements of OPSHH006 standard.

Compliance and Standards

• Manage on a rotational shift basis, the safe and economical operation of the Heavy Haul Rail Ltd network.
• Deliver the daily Heavy Haul Rail Ltd commercial train and locomotive plan agreeing priorities and adjustments to ensure commercial impacts and delays are minimised and locos allocated/hired in/out and made available at the correct time and place.
• Monitor Heavy Haul Rail Ltd train services throughout and identify reasons for delay, feeding back improvements to planning.
• Where required deputise for the ATC and ensure Tops activity is covered.
• Using appropriate systems manage assets and staff resources to cover short notice sickness, disruption, taxis and public transport through the most cost-effective means.
• Compile a daily log of notable events detailing all personal accidents to safety critical staff, incidents involving Heavy Haul Rail Ltd, working time exceedances by safety critical staff, cancellations, diversions, traction failures, delays and the use of additional manpower/traction.
• Booking staff on/off duty and capturing details of hours worked in real-time – Including, but not limited to overtime, rest day working, harmonisation payments, persuasion payments.
• Use appropriate systems for undertaking your role including, but not limited to: Trust/TDA, Tops input, logs, ORS and others as required.
• During periods of major service disruption lead, consult and agree any alterations necessary to Heavy Haul Rail Ltd services and ensure co-operation with Network Rail and other F/TOCs to restore normal service as quickly as possible.
• Where there is a requirement to operate a special train(s) over and above the existing published train plan agreed by Network Rail or divert services already agreed by Network Rail, identify and make arrangements for the appropriate train crew and ground staff resources to be provided.
• If there is a likelihood that severe weather will affect our operations of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd services, lead a company approach to the plan and advise the appropriate persons as per Heavy Haul Rail Ltd standards.
• Communicate service disruption to internal and external stakeholders.
• Report all accidents and incidents involving staff and Heavy Haul Rail Ltd contractors using the appropriate forms and suitably document within the Operations Control Log.
• Where required, arrange for post incident Drug & Alcohol testing in liaison with the on-call manager or if during the day with the manager of the staff concerned.
• In the event of an enquiry regarding the suitability of safety critical staff to either take duty or continue duty after taking proprietary or prescribed medication to obtain advice from occupational health.
• Ensure that unplanned working time exceedance due to exceptional circumstances are recorded, and authorised, and ascertain that the member of staff considers themselves fit to continue duty, with due regard to the risk management policy.
• Responsible for reporting arrangements, and mishap arrangements including incident response and subsequent reporting, including statutory reporting to the HSE, ORR & RAIB when circumstances require.
• Attend training courses as required.
• To undertake additional/ alternative work where competent to do so, and as maybe directed by your line manager.

What We’re Looking For

• Experience of Railway Operations.
• Good Railway geographical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work under extreme pressure and in emergency situations.
• Good negotiation skills and able to resolve problems.
• Strong IT Skills.
• Keen and conscientious approach to work, able to concentrate for long periods on detailed information.
• Awareness locomotive maintenance cycle policies.
• Knowledge of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd/Network Rail train planning process.
• Knowledge of the Rail industry performance regime.

Your Behaviours

• Exhibits and lives Heavy Haul Rail’s values.
• Attacks goals and objectives with drive, energy and enthusiasm.
• Commitment to work safely, and that it is the first consideration in everything that we do.
• Flexibility in respect of hours worked, location, application and output, dependant on the operational requirements of the business – you may be required to work out of hours, at weekends, or away from home/ overnight stays on occasion in emergency situations.
• Maintenance of trust, tact and confidentiality – any breach of confidentiality, pursuit of personal agendas, or expression of opinions not directly related to the requirements of this role will not be tolerated.
• Awareness of the nature of our customers business requirements and an outward looking focus towards helping them achieve their objectives.
• Ability to work to standardised instructions and processes and ensuring that others do the same.
• A positive mindset of curiosity, innovation, enthusiasm and creative thinking.
• Be resilient to change and embrace the use of new technologies.

This post is subject to standard pre-employment checks including employment references, medical & D&A screening, and successful DBS background checks.

Why Join Us?

Here, you’re not one small part of a big machine. You’re a key contributor with national significance and real-world impact. We want our colleagues to feel proud of the work they do, connected to our mission and empowered to shape the future of this business. As part of Heavy Haul Rail, you can expect:

• Purpose that matters. Your work contributes to a cleaner, more efficient freight industry.
• Opportunity to shape what’s next. We’re new, agile and ready to do things differently, your ideas help build our future.
• A team that moves forward together. Collaboration, respect and shared ambition define how we work.
• A commitment to excellence. We deliver with pride, precision and professionalism.
• Room to grow. Your development fuels our momentum.

Our perks and benefits

Our people are our most important asset. We strive to empower our employees, ensuring they are trained and competent, fit for work, always informed, and completely engaged in our culture that places safety and wellbeing firmly at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for the most committed and reliable individuals who possess the knowledge, skills and experience needed for their roles. In return we can offer considerable career progression, and a rewarding career in an award-winning team alongside:

• Competitive pay
• Fantastic final-salary pension scheme after an initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity & paternity pay
• Opportunities for ongoing training and development.
• Access to the company's life assurance scheme
• A range of benefits to make your own so you can get the most of your work and home life which will also help save you money and hassle. From reimbursement on health treatments, to savings on new cars.

Apply now. We know where we’re heading. We know why it matters. Now, it’s time to move, to make it real, together.