Assistant Train Controller (ATC)

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. And we have the opportunity to build it.

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.

Who we are

Previously operating as Freightliner’s Heavy Haul business, we are now an independent company following CMA CGM Group’s acquisition of Freightliner UK’s Intermodal Logistics business in January 2026.

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.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets. The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons. Heavy Haul Rail’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week.

Heavy Haul Rail also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

But none of this happens without us, its people.

Who we are

Heavy Haul Rail (HHR) 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.

We move 17 million tonnes of freight a year for customers in the industrial, energy and construction markets. The company operates 95 locomotives and over 1000 wagons. HHR’s team of 950 supports customer deliveries to over 100 locations across the UK, running 250 trains per week.

HHR also supports the renewal and maintenance of the rail infrastructure and supports passenger train operators and rolling stock companies, including the provision of drivers and route conducting services.

The Purpose of Your Role

Overall, ever 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 control real time performance delivery and the operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd UK services, including:

To 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.

In conjunction with the TC ensure industry processes and contractual obligation for train reporting and delay attribution are followed through to completion.

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, which is 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.

· Ensure all safety critical staff comply with the company Drug and Alcohol Policy (RGGEN/023).

· Manage the normal day to day operation of Heavy Haul Rail Ltd services in a safe and proper manner in accordance with Safety Certificate, railway Group Standards and Heavy Haul Rail Ltd requirements via the company standards and training provided.

· Ensure that all communication in relation to Heavy Haul Rail Ltd train services complies with all current operating rules, regulations and notices

· Ensure that statutory reporting is carried out as required

· Notification of instances to first, second line and engineering on call and subsequent management.

· Taking prompt and appropriate action to ensure safety of people and equipment and infrastructure in normal operating conditions and during out of course situations as detailed in company standards

· Comply with instructions contained within company standards and H&S legislation

· Carrying out any work in accordance with any training, instruction or company procedure that is relevant to the position and using any equipment provided in line with the training provided and 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 trouble shoot problems in priority order in HHR

· Assist third parties by agreement with TOPS activity

· 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.

· Support the TC (Train Controller) with booking staff on and off and appropriate alterations to rosters and hire in/out of resources and assets.

· 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 –

· Continually look to improve the quality and cost effectiveness of HHR TOPS facility, and seek solutions to problem areas

· Provide information as required to the and undertake other duties as directed by the Control Manager, commensurate with the post

Performance

· Day-to-