A rare opportunity to become a train driver has opened up in Somerset, with freight operator Heavy Haul Rail recruiting ten trainee train drivers for its Mendip depot.
The roles are open to people living within a 60-minute commute of the depot in the Mendip area and form part of a full-time training programme beginning in October 2026.
The recruitment drive comes shortly after a significant change to the industry, with the minimum age for train drivers in Great Britain reduced from 20 to 18 in June this year. The move is designed to help attract more people into railway careers, address future skills shortages and improve diversity across the rail sector.
Trainee train driver vacancies are relatively uncommon, making the latest recruitment campaign a rare opportunity for local people to enter a highly skilled profession with long-term career prospects.
Heavy Haul Rail, which transports around 17 million tonnes of freight each year across the UK, is seeking motivated individuals to join its structured Trainee Train Driver Programme. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive training, mentoring and support as they work towards becoming qualified mainline train drivers.
Stefan Aldridge, Regional Operations Manager for Heavy Haul Rail South, said:
“Opportunities to train as a train driver do not come around very often, which is why we are encouraging anyone who is interested and meets the criteria to apply. The recent change lowering the minimum age to 18 opens the door to a wider range of people considering a career in rail, including those who may be leaving education and looking for a rewarding long-term profession.
“Train driving is a highly respected and safety-critical role that offers excellent career development opportunities. Our trainee programme provides first-class training and support, giving successful applicants the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to build a successful career with Heavy Haul Rail.”
The programme will provide:
- A structured and comprehensive training programme
- Industry-leading instruction, support and mentoring
- A clear pathway to becoming a qualified mainline train driver
- Experience working in a safety-focused, high-performance environment
- The opportunity to contribute to the UK supply chain and a more sustainable freight network
Applicants must be aged 18 or over, hold a full UK manual driving licence and live within a 60-minute commute of the Mendip depot (BA4 4RA). They must also be able to commit fully to the training programme and demonstrate the behaviours and standards required for a safety-critical role.
Successful candidates will be required to complete medical, competency and safety assessments and must successfully complete all elements of the training programme. No annual leave will be permitted during the classroom training phase.
Heavy Haul Rail operates 95 locomotives and more than 1,000 wagons, running around 200 freight trains each week. The company’s 950-strong workforce supports deliveries to more than 100 locations across the UK, serving customers in the industrial, energy and construction sectors.
In addition to freight services, the company supports the maintenance and renewal of Britain’s railway infrastructure and provides operational support services to passenger train operators and rolling stock companies.
Applications for the trainee train driver roles are now open via this Trainee Train Driver Mendip link which is also available at the top of the company’s website www.heavyhaulrail.co.uk
Image credit: Heavy Haul Rail
