Fifty Year Career for Cardiff Train Driver
17 May 2005
Cardiff train driver, Graham Poulton, has retired after a career on the railways that covered exactly 50 years to the day.
Graham, a driver for Trenau Arriva Cymru, was the first to drive one of the operator’s newly-arrived Class 175 trains from Cardiff Central Station. On his return, as a retirement gift, he was presented with a certificate to show he had officially passed out as a 175 train driver.
Having joined the railways on 25 April 1955, 65-year-old Graham is believed to be one of the very last UK rail workers who can achieve a 50-year career on the railway, as minimum age limits now restrict the number of years that can be served before retirement age.
Martyn Brennan, driver manager for Arriva Trains Wales, said, “Graham’s 50-year railway career is a fantastic achievement and a credit to his hard work and dedication. Graham will be missed by colleagues and customers alike but we wish him all the best for his retirement.”
Born in the Rhondda, Graham always intended to be a driver. Leaving school he started as a porter at Tonypandy Station and later transferred to Treherbert as a cleaner. He became a fire man at Cardiff Canton depot and graduated to driver in 1978.
Looking back on his 50-year railway career Graham said, “I have always loved driving and I have never had any regrets. There is a wonderful variety of work and I’ve made some good friends along the way.”