End of the Iron Road: LNER Driver Completes Final Journey After 46 Years 'Up Front'

Mick Ingledew, 65, from Newcastle-upon-Tyne, joined British Rail in January 1979 as a traction trainee. While working for the local council, a train driver parent of one of Mick’s friends asked whether he had thought about joining the railway. Presented with the application forms, Mick filled them in, sent them to Newcastle Central Station, was invited for an interview, and then offered a job.

From then on, Mick’s career has seen him drive millions of miles up and down the near-1,000-mile LNER route and beyond, and he has been at the forefront of railway change.

Mick Ingledew at the controls of an iconic Deltic locomotive

Starting his East Coast driving career at the controls of the iconic and hugely powerful ‘Deltic’ locomotives, his self-confessed favourites, Mick finishes his railway journey driving modern, high-speed Azuma trains, which carry the majority of the near 24 million LNER customers that travel each year.

On Thursday, he will complete his final drive as he prepares to call time on a stellar railway journey in September. Joined on a return trip between Newcastle and London King’s Cross by his daughter Lisa and son David, Mick was ‘up front’ on the 08:58 departure to the capital. He will return to his home station on the 14:30 departure from London to Tyneside.

“The start of my career was very exciting, working on the powerful Deltics and working with fantastic, experienced drivers. I then spent some time in the freight industry, driving in Tyne Yard, which was pure passion for me, before taking the step into Driver Management in 1989. I returned back to being a driver around 10 years ago and I was welcomed back with open arms.

“The book ends of my career have been real highlights for me. In the ‘90s, GNER was a fantastic company to work for in the new era of privitisation, and I have loved working for LNER most recently. The people are wonderful – we are one big family – and I have the best view, out of anyone, from my office window. It’s been a brilliant career, and I would do it all again.”

During his career, Mick was part an elite club – a driver who ‘signed’ (was authorised to drive) the entire LNER route, including necessary diversion routes. This rare route knowledge enabled Mick to drive trains from London King’s Cross to Leeds and West Yorkshire, York, Newcastle and the north east, Edinburgh, up the Fife coast to Aberdeen, and on the Highland Main Line to Inverness.

Ahead of his final drive, Mick’s daughter, Lisa Brigham, said: “It’s a really emotional day. My dad’s incredible, he’s been on the railway more than 45 years now. Not only has it been a huge part of his life, but our life too, and I’m incredibly proud of him and what he’s achieved.

“He has loved working for LNER. This has been the perfect job for him and I know it’ll be hard for him to leave behind, but I’m excited to see what retirement has in store for him.”

Mick’s son, David Ingledew, who joined his sister on his dad’s final journey, said: “I’m immensely proud of my dad and what he has achieved in his working career. He has worked extremely hard throughout his working life, sacrificing a lot to give us a good life. Through that, he has instilled in us many core values which we live by today.”

Rachel Hardy, Mick’s Driver Manager at LNER, said: “I want to wish Mick the very best as he prepares for his well-earned retirement. I’ve known Mick for 25 years from when I started on the railway as a Guard and he has been so supportive of me throughout our time together on the iron road, especially as I was training to become a driver.

“He will be missed greatly by us all. He always has a story to tell about ‘the old days’ and is a true living legend of the railway.”

As he approaches the end of the line, Mick reflects on his time at the controls, adding: “Passion has been in my blood for more than 45 years. You polish your shoes, you want to look the best and wear your uniform with pride, every day you go home wanting to think that you’ve done the best you could have done in every situation.

“Train driving is a brilliant career path and I’ve had so many opportunities. I’d recommend it to anyone.”

Happy retirement, Mick!