Retired Wolverhampton train announcer returns for Railway 200 celebrations
Paul Matthews joined the station when he was 57 to fulfil his lifelog passion
A retired station announcer has stepped back onto the platform for one final day as part of this years Railway 200 celebrations.
82-year-old, Paul Matthews from Wolverhampton, returned to the station where he spent years announcing trains, reliving his life long passion and inspiring the next generation of railway staff.
Network Rail and West Midlands Railway invited Paul back to Wolverhampton Station to mark the Railway 200 anniversary. During his visit, he reflected on his career, explored the station’s recent redevelopment, reunited with former colleagues, and joined current employees in making announcements for passengers once again.
Paul's railway journey began after a 30-year civil service career. In 2001, at the age of 51, he followed his dream and joined the Wolverhampton Station before retiring 10 years later.
Of all the positions he held, he said being a station manager was his favourite.
Railway 200 is all about inspiring the next generation of railway employees, and Paul hopes his story proves that it’s never too late to follow your passions:
“The most important thing in my book is wanting the work and showing a real interest in it. The railway really does offer a career for everyone, young or old, and I would recommend it to anyone!"
Jack Pickering, leading the Railway 200 celebrations for Network Rail’s Central route, said:
“It’s brilliant that we’ve been able to bring Paul back to the station to help celebrate Railway 200 with us. To see and hear the passion he has for the railway is inspiring and I hope it will encourage more people to consider a career in rail."