The Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways are looking to recruit a Machinist / Fitter to join the engineering workshop team at their Boston Lodge works.

The workshops at Boston Lodge are responsible for building and maintaining the Ffestiniog Railway‘s fleet of steam and diesel locomotives.

Candidates should be familiar with using traditional workshop machinery, especially lathes and milling machines. They must be familiar with working from engineering drawings, using their own initiative to build items that are based on just sketches and verbal instructions, and must be able to manufacture components to stringent tolerances.

As well as basic workshop skills, the successful candidate will also display an interest in and aptitude for learning the new and different skills associated with the manufacture of railway locomotives and other associated tasks.

Depending on experience, salaries will be in the range of £21,840 – £23,920 per annum. Working hours are normally 40 hours a week Monday to Friday, although occasional weekend working may be required.

Anyone who feels they have the aptitude for the job and the necessary skills can find out more on the railway’s website at https://www.festrail.co.uk/jobs/

Boston Lodge is also the subject of a project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund that falls into three areas, namely Interpretation (telling the stories), Activities (engaging with people and developing skills) and Buildings (making Boston Lodge work better). THe principles behind these are:

• to support visitors in learning about the history and heritage of the railway and Boston Lodge Works;
• engaging and inspiring volunteers to make sure that the railway’s story continues to grows into the future;
• working with the local community for engagement with and involving the people with the railway and its heritage;
• inspiring people to think about looking for a career with the railway in general or at Boston Lodge Works;
• supporting the resilience and sustainability of the railway.