Published on: Monday, 15 August 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
A grandfather from Ely is celebrating halfa century working on the railway.
Dennis Squirrell joined the railway onAugust 8, 1966, when he was just 15-years-old, working for British Rail as atrainee crossing keeper at Ely North Level Crossing.
His time in this role was spread acrossseveral local crossings including West River, Kiln Lane and Queen Adelaide,before a change in Regional Railways management saw him move from CambridgeCarriage Sidings to join the presentation team, which is responsible forcleaning the carriages.
After 14 years, he joined the team at Elyas a station cleaner and customer service assistant, before moving to traindispatch in 2013.
“My favourite part of the job is definitelythe people,” he said. “I see so many friendly faces every day and it’s good tohave a laugh and share a joke. I have really enjoyed my time working on therailway and have made so many friends. I don’t plan to retire just yet!”
Dennis, who lives in Ely, enjoys spendinghis holidays in the Isle of Wight with his wife, Karen, and their little dog,always travelling by train. The father of three has two grandchildren andanother on the way.
Andrew Goodrum, Customer Service Director,Abellio Greater Anglia, said: “We are very grateful to Dennis for his longservice on the railway. He consistently has high scores from Mystery Shopaudits and has been recognised for his first-rate customer service on manyoccasions.
“Dennis is very highly thought of by hiscolleagues and by customers, and has his own unique style of friendly banterwith many of our regular customers. Well done, Dennis, and congratulations on50 years’ service to the railway.”
Dennis has seen many changes within theindustry in his 50 years from privatisation between 1994 and 1997 to workingfor various train operating companies including One, National Express andAbellio Greater Anglia, as franchises change. As he goes in to his 50th year ofservice, he will once again find himself working on a changing railway network.