It’s the end of an era for train driver Phil Read who made his final station stop today (Friday 27 October), retiring after more than 37 years of driving trains.
Phil joined CrossCountry as a train driver in July 1998 and worked his way through the ranks, becoming a mentor driver, a driver instructor and finally a train driver trainer.
On the last day of a career spanning five decades, Phil joined his son, Andy, in the driving cab on a return trip from Derby to Bristol – coincidentally passing their own home in Tamworth on the way.
It was this most recent role where he delivered driver training for his son, Andy, who has now stepped behind the controls as a train driver himself.
On his retirement, 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!”
Image credit: CrossCountry
