Familiar face at Newark Northgate station prepares for his next chapter

After more than two decades on the railway, Mike is preparing to retire, bringing to a close a career that has seen him welcome hundreds of thousands of customers and help them safely on their journey.

Mike began his railway career in 2005 with GNER. While the job was initially meant to be a stopgap while he established a furniture-making business, Mike caught the railway bug and it soon became a permanent fixture in his life.

Over the years, he has worked at several stations across the route, including London King's Cross, Doncaster, York and Darlington. However, Newark Northgate has always remained his favourite place to work.

Speaking about his love for the railway, Mike said: "There's never a dull moment. Working on the railway has been a tremendous opportunity to meet all kinds of people, colleagues and customers alike. Over the years, I've listened to people's views, made close friends and seen first-hand the many different ways people handle the challenges that can come with railway life."

Reflecting on the next generation of railway colleagues following in his footsteps, he added: "For younger people joining the industry, the opportunities for career progression are tremendous and almost unlimited."

When asked what's next, Mike has no shortage of plans. He hopes to learn to play the piano, develop his songwriting skills, spend more time in his garden, write his biography to share with his family and, of course, enjoy a few train journeys of his own.

Tom Sach, Station Delivery Manager at Newark Northgate said, “After 21 years of outstanding service, it’s going to be difficult to imagine Newark Northgate station without Mike. His experience, support and friendship have made a difference to so many colleagues and customers. On behalf of the whole team, I’d like to thank him for everything he’s contributed and we wish him all the very best for a happy and fulfilling retirement.”