Maintenance Manager – Buildings & Rolling Stock
Location: Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, Cumbria
Salary: £31,827 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 40 hours per week
Position to commence September 2026
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a skilled and proactive Maintenance Manager – Buildings & Rolling Stock to join the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway.
Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will lead the maintenance, repair and preservation of the Railway's buildings, visitor facilities and heritage passenger rolling stock. Working closely with the Engineering and Health & Safety teams, you will combine hands-on maintenance expertise with contractor management, maintenance planning and compliance responsibilities.
This varied role is key to ensuring our historic assets remain safe, operational and well-presented, helping to deliver an exceptional visitor experience while supporting the long-term preservation of our unique heritage railway.
Who Are We?
The Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway is one of Cumbria's most iconic heritage attractions, operating a narrow-gauge railway through the spectacular Western Lake District landscape.
Part of the Lake District Estates group, the Railway welcomes thousands of visitors each year and is committed to preserving its historic assets whilst delivering exceptional customer experiences. Our team takes pride in maintaining the highest standards across our rolling stock, stations, workshops, buildings and visitor facilities.
Key Responsibilities
Rolling Stock & Buildings Maintenance
- Carry out joinery, carpentry and restoration work on heritage rolling stock, including the repair and maintenance of timber components.
- Plan and undertake preventative and reactive maintenance across railway buildings, visitor facilities and the wider estate.
- Monitor the condition of buildings, infrastructure and rolling stock, identifying and implementing improvements where required.
Contractor & Project Management
- Coordinate and supervise external contractors, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently, on time and to the required standard.
- Maintain contractor records and support the delivery of maintenance and improvement projects.
Health & Safety & Compliance
- Work closely with the Health & Safety Lead to ensure compliance with legislation, company procedures and industry standards.
- Support risk assessments, inspections and audits whilst promoting a positive health and safety culture.
- Identify and address hazards, defects and maintenance concerns promptly.
Planning & Administration
- Maintain accurate maintenance records, asset information and job logs.
- Assist with maintenance planning, budgeting and procurement of materials and services.
- Support the development and delivery of planned preventative maintenance programmes.
Operational Support
- Respond to maintenance issues and emergencies, diagnosing faults and implementing practical solutions.
- Support the wider Railway team with maintenance and improvement projects.
- Contribute to the safe, efficient operation of the Railway and its visitor facilities.
General Responsibilities
- Deliver high standards of workmanship and attention to detail.
- Work collaboratively across departments to support customer experience, heritage preservation and continuous improvement.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the role.
Our Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a practical and experienced maintenance professional with a strong background in joinery, carpentry and building maintenance. You will be highly organised, capable of managing multiple priorities and committed to delivering work to a consistently high standard.
The successful candidate will be a confident problem-solver who can identify practical solutions, coordinate contractors effectively and build positive working relationships with colleagues and suppliers. You will have a proactive approach to health and safety, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work independently as well as part of a wider team.
Essential Requirements
You will hold a recognised qualification in Joinery, Carpentry, Building Maintenance or a related trade, or be able to demonstrate equivalent practical experience. You will have proven experience of building maintenance and property repairs, together with experience of managing or coordinating contractors.
You will possess a good understanding of health and safety legislation and safe working practices, strong fault-finding and problem-solving abilities, and be confident maintaining maintenance records and documentation using IT systems. A full UK driving licence is essential.
Desirable Requirements
Experience working within a heritage railway, engineering, transport, tourism or visitor attraction environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of planned preventative maintenance programmes, heritage conservation principles and historic building maintenance would also be beneficial.
An IOSH Working Safely qualification, or similar health and safety certification, together with experience of managing maintenance projects and budgets, would be desirable but is not essential.
Staff Benefits
- Life Assurance at 2 x annual salary*
- Enhanced pension contribution of 6% employer contribution, matched by employee*
- Company Sick Pay* (entitlement increases with length of service)
- Employee wellbeing programme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Ongoing training and development opportunities
- Family-friendly policies
- Staff discounts across Lake District Estates businesses
*Available upon successful completion of the probationary period.
Pay: £31,827.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Life insurance
Work Location: In person
