Kent Railway Supervisor Marks 55 Years of Service

A railway station supervisor from Kent has commemorated his 55th anniversary of working within the railway industry. Dougie Calder, aged 71, began his career with British Rail in Margate in 1969, at the age of 16. On December 6, his extensive service, commitment, and encouraging personality were recognized at an event with current and former colleagues, hosted by Southeastern railway. Mr. Calder stated: “I’ve been very lucky to have achieved everything I have on the railway, and I have no plans to retire all the time I’m healthy.” He added, “When you enjoy what you do, you keep doing it.” Mr. Calder’s career commenced as a junior porter at Margate station. He noted that over his five decades of work, he had witnessed “many things change” and previously had to “get under dirty trains to couple the wagons.” He subsequently moved to Ramsgate station to work as a conductor before returning to Margate, where he continues his employment. At the event, he was presented with a coin engraved with the date he joined the railway. David Wornham, Southeastern’s passenger services director, commented that Mr. Calder was “a real-life example of how the railway can be a career for life” and encouraged people to consider a career in the railways.