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Thursday 11 Nov 2004

SIGNALLER RETIRES AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS

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A signaller, who once worked at Garsdale signal box, has retired after nearly 50 years on the railway. Melvin Lord, who lives and works in Hellifield, started his career as a 15-year-old junior porter at Gargrave station at the beginning of 1955. He then became a recorder and booker at Hellifield station before becoming a signaller 33 years ago. Melvin, who’s 65 later this month, has also worked at Bingley and Blea Moor signal boxes as a relief signaller. He said: “I cannot believe I’m retiring. It doesn’t feel like I’ve been working on the railways for almost 50 years, the time has gone so quickly.” Melvin is married with two children, a son who is a builder and daughter who is a nurse at Huddersfield Accident and Emergency department. He added: “I don’t have any immediate plans for my retirement but I hope to devote more time to my favourite past-times; gardening; completing jigsaws and crosswords and driving.” Ken Harper, signalling manager for Carlisle, said: “It has been a pleasure and privilege to have Melvin as part of the team.  “We wish him all the best for his retirement and will be sad to see him go.”