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Longest serving driver?

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Becko

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After I comment I made on another thread about the senior driver at my depot being in his 55th year of service, I was inspired to start a new thread to ask does anyone know of a current driver with longer service?
Can't be many out there with that many years under their belt!
 
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pdeaves

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After I comment I made on another thread about the senior driver at my depot being in his 55th year of service, I was inspired to start a new thread to ask does anyone know of a current driver with longer service?
Can't be many out there with that many years under their belt!
Just for interest's sake, 55th year as a driver or 55th year of railway service (e.g. started as an errand boy or something)?
 

Becko

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Yes, of course the latter! He didn't start driving trains at 15! Lol
But seriously, just to clarify:
He probably started as an engine cleaner or such like, and worked his way up to driver. Back in the old BR days your seniority was measured from when you first started at the depot, regardless of your role.
Nowadays it works differently. For example, if you started today as a cleaner and worked your way up to driver, your seniority would be measured from when you first achieved the driving grade, not from when you started as a cleaner.
These heights of seniority will never be achieved again because of the above and also because if a driver changes TOC they will automatically go to the bottom of the seniority list at their new depot.
 

ComUtoR

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He probably started as an engine cleaner or such like, and worked his way up to driver. Back in the old BR days your seniority was measured from when you first started at the depot, regardless of your role.
Nowadays it works differently. For example, if you started today as a cleaner and worked your way up to driver, your seniority would be measured from when you first achieved the driving grade, not from when you started as a cleaner.

My 'Seniority' is based on the day I passed rules. The older guys at my depot have their seniority based on the day they started on the 'footplate' Not sure if that is universal or just my TOC.

These heights of seniority will never be achieved again because of the above and also because if a driver changes TOC they will automatically go to the bottom of the seniority list at their new depot.

The youngest you can be to drive a train is 21. You can technically do rules earlier but you need to be 21 to drive. Imagine driving at 81 :/
 

Mcr Warrior

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Would it count if someone had retired as a driver from BR (or perhaps a more modern day TOC) and had then carried on as a driver with a heritage railway?
 

Becko

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That would apply more to the question 'What's the longest career of a train driver that we know?'.
My original question was more to do with seniority. Does anyone know of a driver with more than 55 years seniority?
(And my apologies for the driver jargon, but other drivers should hopefully understand what I'm asking)
 

Evolution

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I wonder how old the oldest mainline driver is?

I’ve seen some at my depot that must be early 70s at a guess.
 

irish_rail

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I wonder how old the oldest mainline driver is?

I’ve seen some at my depot that must be early 70s at a guess.
Just had a 70yr old retire at Plymouth. Frankly that is very very old to be driving high speed trains to London!!!
 

SlimJim1694

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Theres a lovely guy at Orpington who has been driving longer than anyone else I've known. I'd say he must be pretty close to the 55yrs mark, quite possibly over it. Had a great chat with him once about the steam days. A real character and a gentleman, I take my hat off to him.
 

43066

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57yrs is our highest.
Theres a lovely guy at Orpington who has been driving longer than anyone else I've known. I'd say he must be pretty close to the 55yrs mark, quite possibly over it. Had a great chat with him once about the steam days. A real character and a gentleman, I take my hat off to him.

Same guy I suspect.

Not sure how long he’s been driving, though. He started off firing steam locos, I seem to remember.

Either way, the guy has been doing metro work since before man landed on the moon and is still going strong, as far as I know. Just imagine that for a second.... Six decades of Orpy - Vics. o_O

That deserves some kind of medal!
 
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Taunton

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I seem to recall it was a BR agreement that you couldn't join the "loco grades", or even apply, at the shed unless you were some age (16? 18?), at a time when school leaving age was commonly at 15, so it was common to spend the first years as a junior porter at the station, or similar. The age limit also seemed to coincide with then having to do your two years in the army, but it seemed that your seniority was maintained while there.

The first grade was typically loco cleaner, but depending on the labour situation at the shed, advancement to fireman (actually passed cleaner) could be very rapid.
 

baz962

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Perhaps there is some hope to get my 40 year's in . Do you think they will let me retire at 88 .
 

father_jack

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Bruce Parkin in Bristol had 52 years in in 2013. Sorry about the Hate Mail link. With equalities legislation being properly implemented a driver could go as long it is safe nowadays.
Britain's longest-serving train driver who has retired after 52 years pulls into station for the last time... five minutes late

  • Bruce Parkin started working on trains at the age of 15
  • The 67-year-old has clocked up four million miles on Britain's rails
  • Around 60 colleagues and staff turned out to greet him at his home station of Bristol Temple Meads
  • His family sat with him up front for his final journey including seven-year-old grandson Joshua
By TARA BRADY

PUBLISHED: 06:03, 6 August 2013 | UPDATED: 09:22, 6 August 2013


Britain's longest-serving train driver has finally retired after 52 years and much to the amusement of his family and colleagues, he pulled into the station for the final time five minutes late.

Bruce Parkin, 67, has driven the equivalent of 200 times around the earth during his half-century on the tracks.

Mr Parkin started out at the tender age of 15 cleaning steam trains and became an assistant driver three years later in 1964 and a fully-qualified driver in 1980.


Britain's longest serving train driver Bruce Parkin pictured in 1995

Britain's longest serving train driver Bruce Parkin pictured today


Dedicated: Bruce Parkin pictured in 1995 (left) and on his last day as a train driver after retiring
Over the years he has clocked up an estimated four million miles on Britain's rails - most of it between London and the West Country.

Around 60 colleagues and rail staff turned out to greet him at his home station of Bristol Temple Meads for the last time

Mr Parkin took daughter Katie Allen, 33, and grandson Joshua, seven, along for his final journey on the 10.30am from Paddington.

Rapturous applause broke out as the veteran driver stepped onto platform 15.


Proud: Bruce Parkin arrives at Bristol Temple Meads and is joined by his partner Daisy-Mai Morrison (second from right), son-in-law Elkan Allen (second left), daughter Katie Allen (far right) and grandson Joshua

Proud: Bruce Parkin arrives at Bristol Temple Meads and is joined by his partner Daisy-Mai Morrison (second from right), son-in-law Elkan Allen (second left), daughter Katie Allen (far right) and grandson Joshua



Joshua Allen, aged seven, enjoys riding in the cab with his grandad Bruce Parkin and mum Katie

Joshua Allen, aged seven, enjoys riding in the cab with his grandad Bruce Parkin and mum Katie



Last goodbye: Mr Parkin gives wellwishers a wave as the train pulls in to Bristol Temple Meads

Last goodbye: Mr Parkin gives wellwishers a wave as the train pulls in to Bristol Temple Meads
He said: 'It was a real shock as everyone came into view. I didn't expect so many people to turn out on my last day.

'I only thought there would be one or two but I am delighted, absolutely delighted to see everyone.'

Mr Parkin, from Bristol, added: 'I have got on so well with the job because I've always loved trains.

'I was always interested in train driving from a very young age so it was a natural career.


Round of applause: A crowd cheers as Bruce arrives at his final destination after 52 years as a train driver

Round of applause: A crowd cheers as Bruce arrives at his final destination after 52 years as a train driver



Bruce Parkin started working on trains at the age of 15 and has clocked iup an estimated four million miles on Britain's rails

Bruce Parkin started working on trains at the age of 15 and has clocked iup an estimated four million miles on Britain's rails
'I just love driving trains and I have loved the job. I'm going to miss the role and the chaps I work with.'

Bosses at First Great Western set aside part of the first class compartment for members of Mr Parkin's family on his final journey.

His grandson Joshua said: 'I've never been in the cab of the train before. It was amazing.

'I watched him press all the buttons but he didn't let me drive it.'
 

43066

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Bruce Parkin in Bristol had 52 years in in 2013. Sorry about the Hate Mail link. With equalities legislation being properly implemented a driver could go as long it is safe nowadays.

16 years to go from second-man to driver. Seems unbelievable these days, but quite possibly common under BR.
 

irish_rail

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There is of course an argument (rightly or wrongly) that these guys going on above the pension age are denying younger drivers opportunities and potentially keeping people out of work. Some TOCs have compulsory retirement at state pensionable age but GWR isnt yet one of them.
 

greatkingrat

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I'm fairly sure there are lot more drivers retiring earlier than the default age, than there are carrying on into their 70s, so it all evens out on average.
 

philthetube

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There is of course an argument (rightly or wrongly) that these guys going on above the pension age are denying younger drivers opportunities and potentially keeping people out of work. Some TOCs have compulsory retirement at state pensionable age but GWR isnt yet one of them.
I don't think they can force people to retire now, unless there are medical reasons.
 
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Correct. Compulsory retirement ages are now illegal.
Do you want to explain that to DB Cargo. No Driving passed 65, in fact when this was brought in 2 Peterborough lads were "forced" to finish (1 was 65 and and the other 66)
 

43066

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Is there a cut off age beyond which you are not allowed to drive trains or can you keep driving as long as you're medically fit?

You can carry on until you’re medically incapable. As discussed above compulsory retirement at a certain age has been unlawful for the last few years.
 

baz962

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You can carry on until you’re medically incapable. As discussed above compulsory retirement at a certain age has been unlawful for the last few years.
I'm definitely going to 88 then
 
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