Locomotive Engineers Riley & Son (E) Ltd. wish to recruit a boilersmith to work on heritage steam locomotives at its workshops at Bury in Greater Manchester.

It is a full-time, permanent role with a salary from £32,800 per annum, depending on experience. The successful candidate will join a team working on the maintenance, repair, and construction of boilers for heritage steam locomotives.

To help to preserve UK heritage railways’ historic steam locomotives, the work will involve using traditional techniques and materials, and the ideal candidate would be someone who is an experienced craftsperson with a passion for the standards required to maintain heritage locomotives, including experience in precision workmanship and working to high standards of safety and quality.

Pre-requisite requirements are that the candidate should be time-served and have the appropriate qualifications and skills needed to maintain, repair, and build steam locomotive boilers.

Applicants must have experience in:

• Using hand, power, air, and machine tools.
• Experience in thermal cutting using oxy-propane and a plasma cutter.
• Marking out and working from engineering drawings.

Applicants should have a strong attention to detail and pride in their work, and be able to work both independently and as part of a small specialist team.

Desirable skills include experience in MMA, MIG, MAG, and TIG welding, welding to pressure vessel standards, and experience in plate forming and working with copper fireboxes and platework.

The work will include:

• Maintaining, repairing, and rebuilding boilers from heritage steam locomotives.
• Manufacturing and fitting boiler components using traditional methods.
• Performing riveting, flanging, forming, and plate work.
• Carrying out inspections, fault diagnosis, and remedial work.

Applicants should be able to work from historical drawings, specifications, and verbal instructions, and ensure all work complies with the relevant safety regulations and heritage standards. They will also work with other engineers, inspectors, and other skilled trades, and be able to maintain a clean, safe, and organised workshop environment.

Other tasks will include boiler washouts and periodic inspections, repair/replacement of components, renewal of plate work, tubing, and hot riveting.

Applications should be sent to [email protected] 

Among the locomotives that have been overhauled by the company are LMS Black 5 No. 45163 and Great Western Railway 2-8-0 steam locomotive No. 2857.