Train driver Phil Read made his final station stop today (Friday 27 October), and is now retiring after more than 37 years.
Phil joined CrossCountry as a train driver in July 1998. He then progressed through the company's driving grades, becoming a Mentor Driver, a Driver Instructor, and a Train Driver Trainer.
On the last day of his career, Phil joined his son, Andy, who is also a CrossCountry train driver, having been trained by his dad! Together, they took the train on a return trip from Derby to Bristol, passing their home in Tamworth en route.
On his retirement, CrossCountry's Train Driver Trainer Phil Read said: “The rail industry has given me a fulfilling and stable career for almost 40 years, and it's been so rewarding to pass on the skills I've learned to a new generation of drivers – including my own son!
“For anybody looking for a worthwhile and wide-ranging job where no two days are the same, I couldn't recommend the railway enough – even 37 years on.”
In an impressive feat, Phil has driven trains over every single part of the CrossCountry network, from Aberdeen to Penzance, Cambridge to Cardiff – around 1,300 miles of the British rail network.
Chris Light, CrossCountry's Head of Safety, Security and Environment, said: “On behalf of the rail industry, I want to thank Phil for the time and dedication he's given to his career, and all the very best for the future. It's a privilege to wish him well at the end of such a long and successful career.
“People like Phil prove that even in 2023, the rail industry can still provide a ‘job for life' for people who are willing to work hard – and the great news is, applications are almost always open!”Find out more about careers in the rail industry at www.nationalrail.co.uk/careers/
Surprised he turned up for his last shift as they seem to be on strike most days (greed).
I’ve known Phil and had the pleasure of working with him since I came to CrossCountry as a fellow driver in 1999. Wishing him all the very best in his retirement and a proud moment too, handing the reins over to his son Andy! End of an era and the beginning of a new, congratulations to both of you!
All the best in your retirement Phil you deserve it
Congratulations Phill well done 👍 enjoy your well deserved retirement keep busy and well 😁
Well done mate, I wish you a long and happy retirement.
Keep yourself busy
They paint a very Rosey picture of railway life a driver on Britain’s privatised railways where the comfort of passengers is less important and put in money in the shareholders pockets as a ex British railways driver . I started as a cleaner and progressed through the line of promotion unlike the drivers of today who just start as a driver with no experience whatsoever when privatise nation took over in the 90s it was a lot of experienced drivers who just took the redundancy but they don’t tell you that I was one please don’t believe all you read in these articles there are a lot of porkies being told.