Colleagues wish well to Ilford rail worker after half a century of service

Colleagues at Greater Anglia’s Ilford Depot have said a final goodbye to a long serving member of their team, after half a century of dedicated service.

Alan Faulkner, of Romford, was inspired to join the railway when as a young lad he watched the steam trains go by at Ragmarsh Farm, in Wrabness.

When he was 15, he began an engineering apprenticeship based at the St Pancras training centre, before working at Ilford Depot and then London Liverpool Street station as a fitter.

Later in his career Alan returned to Ilford Depot, Aldborough Road South, Seven Kings, where he worked as a yard assistant.

Colleagues came together to wish Alan well last week.

Production manager Dave Lupton said: “Alan has given 50 years of dedicated service to the railway. He is unique, very generous and always ready to help. We would like to thank him for his efforts and wish him a very happy retirement.”

Mr Faulkner’s love of steam locomotives has continued throughout his life and he intends to go to New Zealand on a special steam tour in the new year.