Southampton rail worker Mick Wall retires after 50 years

Friends, family, and colleagues gathered at Southampton Central station to watch 66-year-old Mick Wall dispatch his final train - the 10.30am to Waterloo.

Posting on social media, South Western Railway (SWR) said: "Mick has been a constant at Southampton for longer than most of us can remember.

"We will all miss him greatly. Central will not be the same without him."

Mick Wall, 66, of Netley, has retired after 50 years on the railways (Image: South Western Railway)

During his half-century on the railways, Mick met several celebrities including the Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, when the royal train pulled into Southampton.

On another occasion he found himself standing beside the famous Flying Scotsman, which was making one of its UK tours.

READ MORE: Southampton Central £5.5m upgrade includes colourful mural

After growing up in the Weston area, Mick followed his father and one of his brothers into the rail industry. His choice of career was governed by a desire to do something that "didn't involve sitting down".He entered the profession in 1974 and worked as a messenger boy at Eastleigh railway station before transferring to the signal box.

Mick was only 24 when he bought his first home - something way beyond the reach of most people that age now.

He took time out after his wife died aged 43 but eventually returned to work and in 2007 met his current partner.

Special messages were displayed on departure boards to mark the retirement of Mick Wall (Image: South Western Railway)READ MORE: Southampton Central taxi rank change could lead to strike

Looking back over the decades he said: "Things have changed a lot since privatisation. I enjoyed the British Rail days. I know you don't go to work to have a laugh, but it's a bit too serious now.

"Having said that, it's been a good career. I've never been in debt and I've been able to bring up four children.

Rail work Mick Wall dispatches his final train after a 50-year career (Image: South Western Railway)

"One of the best things about it has been meeting people - that plus the fact that every day something happens. It's not just one of those sitting-behind-a-desk sort of jobs.

"Something I won't miss is the attitude of some young people. You do get a lot of abuse and violence."

Mick, of Netley, has also seen plenty of industrial action during his final few months on the railways. 

"The pay isn't great. When they reorganised things in the 1990s the ticket and platform staff got left behind.

"I didn't want to strike but went with the flow. When some people go on strike and others don't it tends to create a bad atmosphere.

"I'd rather lose a few quid than lose a friend."