In November 1969, just two months before his 17th birthday, Dougie Calder began his first job at Margate Railway Station – and this week staff threw a celebration to mark his 55th work anniversary.
Dougie, now 71, is a supervisor at the station, still working 12 hour shifts and cycling to and from work each day from his home in Broadstairs.
His long career had an almost accidental start. Dougie said: “I didn’t have any plans to come on the railway. My brother went for a job and he failed the medical so I went up for it.”
Initially, it looked like Dougie was not going to get the job either until an area manager stepped in.
He said: “They were not going to give me a ticket to go to the medical as they thought I might be colour blind too but the area manager said ‘give him a chance,’ so they gave me a ticket and I passed it and here I am.”
Dougie got the junior porter job with British Rail and worked at Margate until 1974 when the shunt yard was removed from Margate. He then transferred to Ramsgate as a conductor for the next 1 years until an accident caused nerve damage in his foot.
After recovering he took a platform role covering Margate, Broadstairs and Sturry.
He said: “Then a supervisor vacancy came up, I got that and I am still a supervisor now.
“I’ve seen many things change over the years. When I started, I had to get under dirty trains to couple the wagons, but they’re now gone. Slam door trains have also been replaced with highspeed trains and it’s amazing how much that transformed the service.”
Dougie, who lives in Broadstairs with his wife Susan, said: “I have enjoyed all my job roles with the railway and I have no plans to retire as long as my health lasts out.”
Last year, on Boxing Day, Dougie was hit by a car while on his bike and suffered extensive bruising, a fractured foot and tendon damage but says despite “being lucky to survive” he still loves to cycle and work.
When he isn’t busy at the station, Dougie is an avid collector of everything from coins and records to posters, including railway posters. He is also a bit of a history buff and has an especial interest in war history.
A celebration with colleagues was held at Margate Railway Station yesterday {December 6} which came as a complete surprise to Dougie who thought it would just be a normal day at work.
He said: “I didn’t know it was happening. I came into work as usual, all the staff were turning up and I thought ‘I’m doing well for staff today’ and then I was called down to the office.”
Colleagues had arranged for a celebration cake and Dougie found he actually had the day off! He was also presented with a coin engraved with the date he joined the railway.
He said: “The whole thing has been amazing.
“I have been really lucky with my life and what I have achieved on the railway, it’s kept me going.”
David Wornham, Southeastern’s Passenger Services Director, said: “Dougie’s passion and his commitment to the railways in Kent over his career has been remarkable. He’s hugely popular among his colleagues and the many customers he’s served over his 55 years.
“He is a real-life example of how the railway can be a career for life – and as we look forward to the 200th anniversary of the railway in 2025, I hope his story inspires a new generation to join us.”
Wow, well done Dougie
Well done Dougie 💕