One of the state’s longest serving train drivers marked 55 years of service on the railways of NSW.
John Szabo was joined at Gosford station by colleagues, friends, family and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison to celebrate the milestone.
Szabo began his railway career in July 1969 soon after finishing high school, as a trainee engineman on steam trains.
From his early days shunting steam trains in Sydney yards to completing his diesel train driver training in 1976, he never considered changing careers.
Today he drives trains between Gosford, Newcastle and Sydney on the Central Coast-Newcastle train line, which has about a million passenger trips each month.
Over the past half-century, Szabo has worked on all types of trains, including steam, diesel, rail motors and electric, safely transporting hundreds of thousands of commuters.
His teammates gave him the nickname god, even painting the letters on a car parking space at the station.
“Most of what I remember from the steam era is being dirty,” Szabo said.
“I’d go to work clean and come home with soot in my ears.
“I love my job.
“The simple fact that I’ve been doing it so long is proof enough.
“The job’s been good to me; it’s paid all my bills for more than 50 years.
“I will keep driving for as long as they’ll have me.
“Driving is what makes me happy.”
Aitchison said Szabo’s commitment to keeping passengers safe and on track was appreciated by the entire community.
“It was humbling to hear about John’s passion for customer service,” she said.
“I listened to many stories of how he’s helped passengers over the decades.
“On behalf of the community, thank you John for your decades of hard work and dedication.”
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch said Szabo had shown unwavering dedication delivering train services across NSW for 55 years.
“Committed, experienced and long-term railway employees are the backbone of our public transport system, looked up to by so many in the transport sector as mentors and relied on for the amazing expertise they bring,” she said.