Dev Sahil, Rail Engineering Technician

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What I do

My job is to help maintain and repair trains so they can run safely and get passengers to their destination.

I love knowing that the trains I work on are going back into service safely and used by hundreds of people, it gives me a real sense of pride.

I work on heavy maintenance tasks like changing bogies (the part that holds the train wheels), replacing couplers (which connects two carriages together) and helping lift trains using huge cranes and jacks.

Railway Engineering Technician Dev, wearing a hi-vis vest, gloves, safety glasses, and a cap, cleaning a train component with a wire brush, in a rail depot workshop.

How I became a technician

At school, I chose GCSEs in design & technology - product design, computer science, Spanish and PE. After that, I went to college and studied A-levels in physics, chemistry and maths.

At first, I thought about going to university to study science and I even had an offer lined up. But while my friends were preparing for university, I realised I wanted a more hands-on career.

How I became a technician

My dad had worked as both an engineer and a technician, and he helped me understand the difference between the two jobs.

He knew I enjoyed practical work more than sitting behind a desk all day and told me it’s the technicians who use the skills I have in making and fixing things.

So, instead of going to university, I started looking for a technician role.

How I became a technician

I came across an apprenticeship with West Midlands Trains, advertised on the government website. I applied, not expecting much, but I got the job!

Some people were surprised that I chose a Level 3 apprenticeship after completing my A-levels, as they are at the same level, but I saw it as a way to get my foot in the door of the railway industry.

How I became a technician

Now, I’m completing my Level 3 Rolling Stock and Maintenance Apprentice Technician qualification. After this, I’ll be able to progress onto higher technical qualifications like an HNC and HND.

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A typical day in my working life

My day starts at 6am. The first thing I do is sit down with my team with a brew.

We talk through the planned jobs for the day, any safety concerns and what trains need work. I really like that everyone gets listened to during those meetings.

A typical day in my working life

Most days, I work in a team of four people on heavy maintenance tasks. Sometimes we lift whole trains into the air using giant jacks so we can remove the bogies underneath (the part that holds the train wheels).

Seeing a 140-tonne train suspended in the air still feels unbelievable.

A typical day in my working life

One job I recently worked on was changing a coupler, which is the huge component that connects two carriages together.

We used cranes, giant bolts, power tools and torque wrenches to safely remove and replace it. Torque wrenches are special tools that tighten bolts to the exact level needed for safety.

A typical day in my working life

Safety is a massive part of the job. We wear PPE (personal protective equipment) like helmets and safety boots, and we always have to stay aware of what’s happening around us because trains are constantly moving around the depot.

I usually finish work at 5:25pm. The shifts are long, but because I’m busy all day, the time flies by.

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Railway Engineering Technician Dev, wearing orange hi-vis overalls and work boots, crouching on top of a train, in a rail depot workshop.

What I love about my job

I love knowing that my work matters. Every train I help repair goes back out to transport people to work, days out, to see family, and that feels good.

But what I love most, is the responsibility I’ve been trusted with at such a young age.

I recently became crane certified, which means I can use the giant cranes inside the depot myself. It feels amazing knowing the company trusts me to safely lift really heavy equipment.

The skills I use most

Time management is one of the biggest skills I use. Even though my shifts are long, the work can take much longer than you expect, especially when you’re setting up equipment or dealing with difficult repairs. You have to stay organised and keep track of what needs doing.

Problem solving is also really important. Even if two trains have the same repair task, there’s always something different about them. Sometimes bolts get stuck or parts are awkward to reach, so I have to think on my feet and work out the safest way to complete the job.

Spatial awareness is another key skill. A lot of the work involves understanding how parts fit together and figuring out how to safely move around large equipment and tight spaces.

I love the feeling of knowing my work matters. Every train I help repair goes back out to transport people to work, days out, to see family, and that feels good.

Problem solving is really important – even if two trains have the same repair task, there’s always something different about them.

Don’t overthink your future too much. A lot of people put pressure on themselves to have everything planned out, but life doesn’t always work like that.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

I work closely with a team of four people and we’re constantly communicating with each other. When we’re lifting trains or removing bogies (the part that holds the train wheels), everyone has to stay alert and work together safely.

One thing I really enjoy is the mix of people I work with. The railway industry has a lot of experienced workers, so I’ve ended up becoming good friends with people much older than me who I probably would never have met outside work.

Everyone has different backgrounds and experiences, and you learn a lot from them.

My favourite piece of equipment

My favourite piece of equipment is a giant battery-powered impact gun. We use it to remove massive bolts that hold train components in place.

Some bolts are incredibly tight and smaller tools just can’t move them. The big impact gun is huge – you need both hands to hold it – but when you switch it on, it can undo stubborn bolts in seconds. It makes difficult jobs so much easier and it’s really satisfying to use.

What I like to do in my spare time

I enjoy building detailed model kits called Gunpla, which are Japanese plastic models that you cut out and assemble yourself. I’ve been making them for about 10 years, and I love all the tiny details involved.

I also enjoy swimming and trail running, which I do with a friend. It’s tough on the legs, but I really enjoy being outdoors.

My school days

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time gaming and playing Minecraft. I also did competitive swimming for a while and raced freestyle events for my local leisure centre team.

At school, I always enjoyed science and practical subjects. I liked experimenting, creating things, building models and understanding how systems work. Looking back, those interests definitely pointed me towards becoming a technician, even if I didn’t fully realise it at the time.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved so far in my job

The achievement I’m most proud of is being nominated for Apprentice of the Year through the Young Rail Professionals scheme. My company selected me as one of their nominees, and I ended up becoming a finalist.

I didn’t win in the end, but I was really proud to get that far, especially because I was competing against people completing much higher-level qualifications. It made me feel recognised for all the hard work I’d put into my apprenticeship.

A surprising fact about my job

A lot of people don’t realise how huge train components are. Some of the bolts we remove are massive – at least 30cm long – you can wrap your whole hand around them!

The next steps in my career journey

Once I finish my Level 3 apprenticeship, I want to continue progressing through higher technical qualifications and do a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and Higher National Diploma (HND). I’d like to keep building my skills within the railway industry and eventually become specialised in train maintenance and engineering.

The railway industry is always going to need skilled people, so I feel like I’ve chosen a career with lots of opportunities for the future – AI can’t take over what I do!

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Don’t overthink your future too much. A lot of people put pressure on themselves to have everything planned out, but life doesn’t always work like that.

Focus on what you genuinely enjoy doing and trust that things will work out over time. If you enjoy practical work and solving problems, don’t be afraid to choose a different route instead of just following what everyone else is doing.