Rail Planner

About Us

Heavy Haul Rail is a UK‑based rail freight partner committed to a smarter, cleaner, more resilient freight future. We operate 95 locomotives and over 1,000 wagons, moving 17 million tonnes of freight per year across 95 locations, running 250 trains per week. We support customer deliveries, infrastructure renewal and passenger train operators through driver and route‑conducting services.

• Make Every Mile Matter: act with intention and responsibility.
• Build Boldly: challenge legacy thinking and design better ways.
• Move as One: collaborate, trust, respect and share momentum.
• Deliver with Certainty: be reliable, precise and accountable.
• Fuelling The Future: invest in people, learning, curiosity and continuous improvement.

As part of the train planning team, you will deliver a wide range of planning outputs, from Working Timetables to weekly train plans that meet customer demand.

• Develop and process PDNS bids to Network Rail.
• Plan and submit TOVRs for WTT schedules in line with the timetable.
• Process Informed Traveller bids to minimise impact of engineering work.
• Engage with customers to deliver weekly plans that meet their requirements.
• Time and bid STP amendments to align base train schedules with customer needs.
• Diagram drivers, ground staff, locomotives, wagons and staff cars for efficient weekly plans.
• Negotiate and agree on Engineering Access Statements and Train Planning Rules.
• Engage with industry stakeholders, including Event Steering Groups, to develop new timetable structures.
• Create new timetable structures from scratch for existing contracts and new customers.
• Plan resources for new business to support pricing.
• Develop capacity studies for engineering work with Network Rail.
• Continuously improve train plans and diagrams to enhance efficiency.
• Ensure compliance with internal requirements and restrictions through collaboration with HHR stakeholders.
• Support Control and other teams during disruption or emergency situations.
• Comply with Network Code timescales and follow HS&E procedures to ensure safe working practices.

• High level of attention to detail and ability to deliver multiple tasks under pressure.
• Innovative thinker with a proactive approach to improvement.
• Commercially astute, driven to deliver efficient customer service.
• Confident communicator with internal and external stakeholders.
• Sets high standards of work for self and team, consistently achieving them.
• High integrity and openness, committed to good governance.
• Proactive, hands‑on, energetic and motivated with a passion for excellence and innovation.
• Leadership skills: example‑setting, constructive feedback and coaching.

• Competitive pay
• Final‑salary pension scheme after initial qualifying period
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay
• Ongoing training and development opportunities
• Company life assurance scheme
• Reimbursement on health treatments and savings on new cars

This post is subject to standard pre‑employment checks including employment references, medical and D&A screening, and successful DBS background checks.

If you meet the criteria outlined above, please apply now. For queries, contact