The first time meeting the Queen

Nick Dudley’s railway journey began aged 16, as a London King’s Cross Divisional Apprentice based at Finsbury Park diesel depot (one of the new style dual apprenticeships). He spent the first year in college, learning basic mechanical and electrical principles, followed by three more years of intensive training, mastering the inner-workings of diesel and electrical traction units.

Nick flourished over 45 years, working across five diverse roles and finally reaching his career high, as an LNER Fleet Engineer. Across four decades of unwavering commitment, he gathered a wealth of knowledge on the InterCity 225 fleet, which had served the East Coast route between London and Scotland before the arrival of the Azuma trains. The fleet still serves communities between London King's Cross and Leeds and York.

The proudest moment in his career was being introduced to the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at London King’s Cross Station, during a visit to celebrate the unveiling of the Intercity 225 “Mallard Service” in late 2003.