What is the PTS card and how do I get one?

The Personal Track Safety (PTS) card is a competency card that shows the holder has received training in the rules and hazards of working in the railway environment, specifically relating to working on or near the operational track. It is a mandatory requirement for any person who needs to access the railway infrastructure (the track, structures, and equipment in the operational railway environment). To obtain a PTS card you must complete Network Rail-approved PTS training, which covers: understanding track environments; understanding how trains and other movements might affect you; the rules for walking safely near the railway; understanding Lookout and warning systems; emergency procedures. The training is typically one day and is delivered at Network Rail-approved training centres. Following training, the candidate is assessed and, if successful, their PTS competency is recorded on the Sentinel system. PTS is not a stand-alone card — it is a competency recorded on your Sentinel smartcard. PTS must be renewed every 2 years.

What is the Sentinel scheme?

Sentinel is Network Rail's competency and identity management system for workers on the railway infrastructure. It is operated by Sentinel (a division of RSSB — Rail Safety and Standards Board). Anyone working on Network Rail infrastructure who requires track access or holds railway-specific competencies must be registered on Sentinel and carry a Sentinel smartcard. The Sentinel smartcard contains a chip that records the holder's competencies — including PTS status, OLEC level, specific equipment authorisations, and medical fitness status. When you arrive on a Network Rail worksite, a card reader is used to verify that your Sentinel card is valid and that you hold the required competencies for the work being done. Employers and workers can view Sentinel records through the online Sentinel portal. There is a small annual fee for maintaining a Sentinel registration. Non-Network Rail managed sites (for example, London Underground, Docklands Light Railway, or Metrolink) operate their own competency management systems and do not use Sentinel.

What does OLEC cover and what are the different levels?

OLEC (Overhead Line Electrical Competency) is the qualification framework for working with or near 25kV AC overhead line equipment (OLE) on the GB main line rail network. OLEC is issued at three levels: OLEC 1 covers working in the vicinity of OLE (not directly on it) — this is required by workers such as civil engineers and structural workers who may need to work near but not on OLE. OLEC 2 covers electrical staff who need to work directly on OLE, including maintenance, inspection, and repair. OLEC 3 covers senior staff including engineers and those responsible for electrical safety of OLE. OLEC training is competency-based and delivered at approved training centres. It involves theoretical training in traction supply systems, safety rules, and switching procedures, followed by practical assessment. OLEC is recorded on the Sentinel system. The 25kV AC overhead line carries potentially lethal voltages — the clearance rules (minimum distances from live OLE) are stringent and must be understood by anyone working in the rail environment.

What does BS EN 50110 require for railway electrical switching?

BS EN 50110-1 (Operation of electrical installations) is the European standard that governs the safe operation, including switching, of electrical installations. It is applicable across all electrical systems including railway traction supply, station electrical installations, and depot electrical systems. The standard sets out requirements for: planning and organisation of work on electrical installations; designation of work areas (boundaries of the work site); isolation and proving dead before work begins; earthing and short-circuiting of live systems; work procedures; equipment required for electrical safety; and the competencies required of persons carrying out electrical switching. On Network Rail infrastructure, the specific safety rules for traction supply switching are contained in Network Rail's own Group Standard GS/RT8000 (Rule Book) and supporting standards, which implement the principles of BS EN 50110 in the railway context. The Responsible Engineer and Designated Responsible Engineer (DRE) roles in Network Rail electrical safety correspond broadly to the AP/SAP roles in industrial electrical safety.

What types of electrical work are available in the rail sector?

The rail electrical sector is diverse. Main categories of work include: Station electrical fit-outs — new stations and station refurbishments require extensive electrical installations including LV distribution, lighting (including platform lighting to specific lux levels), HVAC controls, lift and escalator power, emergency lighting, and fire alarm systems. This work is similar to commercial electrical work but requires PTS card holders for any work near the operational railway. Depot electrical — train maintenance depots have complex LV distribution, lighting, overhead crane power, traction testing facilities, and 25kV or 750V DC supplies for train testing. Signalling power — signalling systems require extremely reliable, often dual-supply, battery-backed power. Signalling power electricians work alongside signalling engineers and need to understand the criticality requirements. Traction power infrastructure — the 25kV overhead line supply equipment, traction substations, and associated LV auxiliary supplies. This is the most specialist and highest-paid rail electrical work, requiring OLEC 2 or 3. Communications and security systems — station CCTV, passenger information systems, public address, and access control systems all require electrical installation work.

How do I transition from domestic or commercial electrical work into the rail sector?

The entry requirements for most station and depot electrical work are a current ECS Gold card and a PTS card. This makes rail electrical work one of the more accessible specialist sectors compared to offshore or nuclear, which require more extensive training and vetting. The starting point is to register on the Sentinel system, obtain your PTS card, and approach rail contractors such as Amey, Colas Rail, VolkerRail, Siemens Mobility, ABB, and Atkins. Station and depot electrical fit-out work often uses LV electricians from the commercial sector and provides the ideal entry point. Once you have rail experience on your CV and a Sentinel card with active PTS, subsequent rail contracts become much easier to secure. For progression into traction power and OLEC work, you will typically be sponsored by a traction power contractor for OLEC training, which usually follows 2 to 3 years of general rail electrical experience.

What are the pay rates for rail electrical work?

Pay rates in the rail sector reflect the additional training requirements and antisocial working hours (much rail maintenance work is done at night during engineering possession windows): LV electricians on station fit-outs (PTS only): £35–£45/hr. Experienced rail electricians with active Sentinel records: £40–£55/hr. Traction power electricians (OLEC 2): £55–£75/hr. Senior electrical engineers (OLEC 3, DRE authority): £65–£90+/hr. Night shift, weekend, and bank holiday premiums add significantly to rates — a basic rate of £45/hr with a 40% night shift premium and overtime is equivalent to £63+/hr for night work. Rail contractors often work 4 on / 4 off or 6 on / 3 off night shift patterns during major engineering works.

SPECIALIST GUIDE

Rail Electrical Work in the UK: PTS, Sentinel, OLEC, and Career Guide

Rail electrical work offers steady contracts, pay rates of £35–£90+/hr, and a clear career progression from station fit-outs to traction power. This guide covers PTS, Sentinel, OLEC, BS EN 50110, and how to get started.

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15 min readUpdated 2026-05-18Andrew Moore, Founder of Elec-Mate

Written and reviewed by Andrew Moore, founder of Elec-Mate, against BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, IET Guidance Note 3 and the IET On-Site Guide.

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Key takeaways

01Working on or near the railway infrastructure requires a Personal Track Safety (PTS) card, issued by Network Rail and registered on the Sentinel competency management system. PTS demonstrates the holder understands the hazards of working near moving trains and the rules for safe working.
02OLEC (Overhead Line Electrical Competency) is the qualification required to work on or near 25kV AC electrified overhead line equipment (OLE) on the UK main line rail network. OLEC is issued in three levels corresponding to the type of work and level of supervision required.
03The Sentinel scheme is Network Rail's competency and identity management system. All workers requiring PTS or other railway-specific competencies must be registered on Sentinel. Contractors and workers carry a Sentinel smartcard that can be scanned to verify competencies on site.
04Electrical switching on the railway is governed by BS EN 50110-1 (Operation of electrical installations). This European standard covers the safety of electrical switching operations and applies to railway electrical systems including 25kV traction supply and 650V/750V DC third rail systems.
05Rail electrical work spans station and depot fit-outs, signalling power supplies, traction power infrastructure, platform lighting, and communications systems. Pay rates range from £35 to £65+ per hour depending on the role, competency level, and shift pattern.

01 · Specialist Guide

Rail Electrical Work in the UK: The Specialist Electrician's Guide

The rail sector offers a steady stream of electrical work that, while less glamorous than offshore or nuclear, provides excellent pay rates, long-term contracts, and a genuinely interesting range of technical challenges. Network Rail's CP7 (Control Period 7) runs from 2024 to 2029 and commits to billions of pounds of infrastructure enhancement and maintenance — meaning rail electrical work will be in demand for years to come.

Rail electrical work spans station fit-outs, depot electrical installations, signalling power supplies, traction power infrastructure, platform lighting, and communications systems. The unifying requirement is access to the railway environment, which demands the Personal Track Safety (PTS) card and registration on the Sentinel competency management system. Beyond that, specialist roles require OLEC qualification and deep knowledge of electrical switching under BS EN 50110.

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02 · Specialist Guide

PTS: Personal Track Safety Card

The Personal Track Safety (PTS) card is the baseline access requirement for working on or near the operational railway. It is not a standalone card but a competency recorded on the Sentinel smartcard. Without a valid PTS record on Sentinel, you cannot access Network Rail infrastructure.

Training duration: Typically 1 day for initial PTS. Renewal every 2 years via a shorter refresher assessment.
What it covers: Track environment hazards, walking near trains, Lookout systems, warning signals, emergency procedures, and the personal duty to challenge unsafe acts.
Medical requirement: PTS requires a railway medical (D&A test and fitness check). This is a condition of Sentinel registration and must be renewed regularly.
Cost: £200–£400 for initial PTS training and assessment at an approved centre. Employers often fund this for new rail hires.

03 · Specialist Guide

OLEC: Overhead Line Electrical Competency

OLEC (Overhead Line Electrical Competency) is required for anyone working on or near 25kV AC overhead line equipment on the GB main line network. The overhead line system carries 25kV AC at up to 300A — contact or an unsafe approach is invariably fatal. The clearance rules (safe working distances from live OLE) are strictly enforced.

OLEC 1

Working in the vicinity of OLE without direct contact. Awareness of OLE clearances. Required by civil engineers, structural workers, and others who may work near but not on OLE.

OLEC 2

Direct work on overhead line equipment — maintenance, inspection, repair. Full understanding of traction supply switching, earthing procedures, and OLE safety rules. Required for most traction power electrical work.

OLEC 3

Senior electrical engineers and Designated Responsible Engineers (DRE). Responsible for safety of OLE working parties. Involved in switching authority and management of complex traction power outages.

04 · Specialist Guide

The Sentinel Scheme: Competency Management on the Railway

Sentinel is Network Rail's competency and identity management system, operated by RSSB (Rail Safety and Standards Board). All rail infrastructure workers requiring track access or railway-specific competencies must be registered on Sentinel.

Smartcard — the Sentinel smartcard records all your railway competencies including PTS status, OLEC level, equipment authorisations, and medical fitness. It is scanned at site access points.
Online portal — workers and employers can view and manage Sentinel records online. Employers add and remove competency records as training is completed and renewed.
Annual renewal fee — there is a small annual fee for maintaining a Sentinel registration. Your employer typically covers this cost.
Not applicable outside Network Rail — London Underground, DLR, TfL Rail, and other metro systems operate their own separate competency management systems. Experience on one does not automatically transfer.

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05 · Specialist Guide

BS EN 50110: Electrical Switching on the Railway

BS EN 50110-1 (Operation of electrical installations) is the European standard governing safe operation — including switching — of electrical installations. On the railway, electrical switching involves traction supply isolations (switching out 25kV AC overhead line sections), station distribution switching, and signalling power switching.

The standard requires that switching operations are planned, that only authorised persons carry out switching, that isolation is verified by test, and that appropriate earthing is applied before work begins. Network Rail implements these principles through its Group Standard GS/RT8000 (Rule Book) and supporting electrification and plant standards.

For station and depot LV electrical work, BS EN 50110 principles are implemented through normal permit to work and isolation procedures, consistent with BS 7671 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.

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06 · Specialist Guide

Types of Rail Electrical Work

The rail sector offers diverse electrical work opportunities, requiring different competency levels:

Station fit-outs: LV distribution, platform lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm systems, HVAC controls, lifts and escalator power, communications infrastructure. Entry-level rail work — PTS card sufficient.
Depot electrical: Train maintenance depots with complex LV distribution, overhead crane power, traction testing supplies, workshop lighting. Often includes 750V DC or 25kV AC supplies for train testing.
Signalling power: Highly reliable, dual-feed, battery-backed power supplies for safety-critical signalling equipment. Requires understanding of criticality requirements and change control processes.
Traction power infrastructure: 25kV AC overhead line systems, traction substations (often at 132kV or 33kV supply), and associated LV auxiliary supplies. Requires OLEC 2 or 3 and HV knowledge.

07 · Specialist Guide

Pay Rates and Career Path in Rail Electrical Work

Rail electrical pay reflects the specialist training requirements and the antisocial hours involved in night-time maintenance work:

LV electrician, PTS card, station fit-out: £35–£45/hr days, £50–£65/hr nights.
Experienced rail electrician, active Sentinel: £40–£55/hr.
Traction power electrician, OLEC 2: £55–£75/hr.
Senior electrical engineer, OLEC 3, DRE authority: £65–£90+/hr.

The career path typically runs: domestic or commercial LV electrician → obtain PTS and Sentinel registration → station fit-out / depot electrical work → signalling power or traction substation auxiliary → OLEC 2 training (sponsored by contractor) → traction power electrician → OLEC 3 / DRE level.

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