Northern
Train Cleaner- Nights

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BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering
GRADE: TPO Shifts
SALARY: £24,781 per annum
ROLE TYPE: Onsite
HOURS: 35 per week - Night Shifts
While most of the North is asleep, our trains are getting ready for a new day. The night cleaning team plays a vital role in making sure every service starts the morning clean, safe, and ready to go.
As a Night Train Cleaner at Northern, you’re part of the team that sets the standard before the first passengers step on board. Working behind the scenes, you’ll help keep our fleet in top condition, tackling everything from everyday cleaning to deeper, specialist work. If you take pride in a job done properly and like seeing the impact of your work first-hand, nights could suit you down to the ground.
What You’ll Be Doing
Working as part of our night operation, you’ll help prepare trains for the next day’s service. Your work will include:
- Cleaning train interiors thoroughly, including tables, windows, seats, floors, and high-touch areas.
- Removing litter and emptying bins.
- Restocking toilet supplies such as soap and toilet paper.
- Carrying out full cleans or deep cleans, depending on your team, to ensure trains meet high hygiene standards.
- Using specialist cleaning equipment, once trained, to remove ingrained dirt across all areas of the train.
- Responding safely and promptly to more significant cleaning tasks, including biological spills such as blood or vomit.
- Working closely with colleagues to make sure trains are ready for service on time.
About You
Attention to detail, reliability, and pride in your work – that’s what matters most here. You’ll also be:
- Happy working nights as part of either a Full Clean or Deep Clean team, focusing on getting trains ready for the morning rush.
- Comfortable learning how to use specialist cleaning equipment and techniques.
- Confident working both outdoors and onboard trains, in all weather conditions.
- Physically able to climb onto a train from floor level and stay active throughout your shift – 10,000 steps in a night isn’t unusual.
- Flexible enough to work weekends and bank holidays as part of a rolling shift pattern.
- Keen to learn. No previous cleaning experience is needed – full training is provided.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This is a role in a safety critical environment, which means you’ll need to meet Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) requirements. To apply, you must:
- Live within a 45-minute car journey of the station you’ll work from.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Pass a safety-critical medical, including drugs and alcohol screening.
- Have normal colour vision.
What’s in it for you?
At Northern, we don’t just value our people – we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:
- Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
- Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
- Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
- Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
- Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
- Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
- Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and clear pathways across the business.
- Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate the brilliant work our people do every day.


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Why Northern?
We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,650 trains running daily, we’re on a mission to improve rail travel and enhance the customer experience while protecting the environment.
Back in 1825, the first passenger train set off in the North of England, beginning a journey that would transform travel across the world. We’ve recently celebrated 200 years of the modern railway and, as we reflect on that legacy, our focus is now on the future as Great British Rail takes shape. Join us at this pivotal moment in rail history and play your part in our journey.
A place for everyone
The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.
At Northern, we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the process if that’s something you need. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria, you’ll be offered an interview.
We automate parts of our screening process to remove unconscious bias and make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers are subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.
No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here in the railway.
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