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Friday 15 Dec 2006

EWELL RAILWAYMAN REACHES THE END OF THE LINE - AFTER 44 YEARS SERVICE

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

It’s all change for Ewell-based train controller Martin Upward, aged 60, who has reached the end of the line after working on the railway for 44 years and helping millions of people enjoy a smooth journey. To celebrate his final shift, Network Rail colleagues arranged for his own personal EDL Thunderbird engine and driver to take him home as big thank-you for all of his years of service to the industry. The 90 minute trip was a complete surprise and took Martin from his workplace at Waterloo station through Twickenham, Ascot, Aldershot and Guildford before dropping him at Ewell West station close to this home. Originally from the Isle of Wight, Martin first joined the railway in 1962 when he started work at the New Malden goods depot. In 1964 Martin moved to work in a railway control centre and has worked in various controls over the years including Woking, Wimbledon, Friars Bridge Court and finally at Network Rail’s Integrated Control at Waterloo station. In his final role, Martin was a Train Running Controller responsible for scheduling of services and liaising with train and freight operating companies to ensure trains were kept on the move. The railway veteran, who is married with a grown up daughter, is planning to go full steam ahead into retirement with a trip to Alaska in the New Year. Martin has a passion for travel which has seen him visit China and South America amongst many other places, is a lifelong Southampton FC fan and enjoys walking and listening to jazz in his spare time. Martin said: "I am proud to have been part of the railways in this area for so long and have some very special memories to cherish. I’ve lived through the days of steam, electrification and modernisation of all railway equipment and have enjoyed each day as much as my first, almost half a century ago. The best things are the people and the fact that no two days are ever the same." Network Rail’s Route Director David Pape said: "Martin’s incredibly long service with Network Rail, and formerly British Rail, shows his enthusiasm and commitment to the railway. Over the past 44 years, he has helped thousands of train services run smoothly, safely and on time. His role was to keep trains and their passengers or freight on the move, which he did with great success, and we’d all like to wish him a very happy retirement." "Martin has been my right hand man for the last 18 months at the new Waterloo Integrated Control and he will greatly missed by everyone here. Not only does he know the railway inside out but he is a thoroughly nice guy – we all wish him the very best and hope that between trips abroad, he will call into Waterloo every now and again to keep in touch," added Kevin Martin, Route Control Manager for Network Rail’s Wessex route.