A fresh-faced Brian Robinson, known to his colleagues and passengers as ‘Kipper’ has finished his 50-year railway career in style.
Having departed Belfast’s Lanyon Place, he brought the Derry train into the North West Hub, in the Waterside, coming to a millimetre perfect halt.
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A surprised Brian was warmly greeted by family, friends and colleagues, and received a presentation from Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Lilian Seenoi-Barr, in recognition of the occasion.
Speaking to The Irish News, Brian said he had started work in the transport hub in 1974, when it was called Waterside Railway Station.
He recalled: “A manager, who was the station master here – he lived in the house – by the name of Alec Esdale, interviewed me here the day after my 16th birthday and gave me a job. I left school the next day, a Friday, and I started work in here on June 24, 1974, as a boy porter.
“50 years has gone past in the blink of an eye. I have made lots of good friends, lots of good memories.
“It was great to get back into this fantastic building we have here in Derry in October 2019. Hopefully the future is going to be bright, for everybody in the city, for public transport and for expansion,” said Brian, who also paid tribute to his wife.
Today we bid an emotional farewell to Brian Robinson (Kipper) who retires after 50 years! 🤩
— Translink (@Translink_NI) June 14, 2024
Colleagues gathered to say goodbye as he took his train out of Lanyon Place for the last time 🚅
We thank Brian for all he has done over the year & wish him a Happy Retirement 🥳 pic.twitter.com/kLtOjgQ1d9
George Flynn, one of Brian’s colleagues said he was well known for always looking on the bright side of things and had represented the workers extremely well as a trade unionist.
Mark Montgomery, route manager for NIR, said Translink was going to “truly miss” Brian’s 50 years of experience.
