Assistant Train Controller (ATC) in Crewe

Together, we move what matters. 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.

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.

The Purpose of Your Role: Overall, every person working for HHR should align with HHR’s vision: “To become the UK’s most progressive and powerful rail freight partner”. This role is pivotal in delivering smarter, cleaner, and more connected freight solutions, embodying our values:

• Make every mile matter
• Build boldly
• Move as one
• Deliver with certainty
• Fuel the future

Working with the Train Controller to control real-time performance delivery and the operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd UK services, including:

• Manage, control, operate and update TOPS, TOPS2000, Trust as required for HHR operations in line with industry standards, Rules and Regulations and industry codes of practice.
• Responsible for day-to-day investigation and resolution of all aspects of the TDA process for HHR services.
• Support the TC in monitoring HHR services and identification of performance improvements leading to increased efficiency and reduced delay minutes.
• Follow up and investigate late starts and on-route delays in real-time to protect HHR’s interests.

What You’ll Do: 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. Follow HS&E procedures to ensure safe working practices, prevent pollution, minimise impacts, maintain competence, and report incidents.

• Ensure a positive safety culture is developed within your area of responsibility, supported by robust safety processes in accordance with company, industry standards and legislation.
• 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.
• Taking reasonable care of own health and safety and that of any person who may be affected by your acts or omissions at work.
• Ensure that any safety equipment provided to you that you have been trained to use, is deployed in a proper and appropriate manner.

Compliance and Standards: Timeously carry out input procedures for the creation and retrieval of information via TOPS, TOPS2000, TRUST; for train documentation, consists, shunt lists and other required functions for HHR.

• Advise and assist other TOPS reporting locations and troubleshoot problems in priority order in HHR.
• Ensure correct TOPS codes for late start and other activities are input into systems in a timely manner ensuring action on information received from terminal and/or ground staff.
• Monitor and remedy any schedule errors including missing, incorrect or deficient schedules.
• Archive any generated paperwork to ensure records are maintained for the agreed time periods.

What We’re Looking For:

• Experience of Railway Operations and industry structure.
• 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 including TOPS/TRUST.

Your Behaviours: Exhibits and lives Heavy Haul Rail’s values. Commitment to work safely and remain calm under pressure. 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.

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.

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.