Steam was king when guard Pat Beman (75) got his first job in the railways in Westport as a porter, aged 16.
Mr Beman remembered the exact day he started - February 7, 1956 - and apart from a nine year gap, has worked in the railways ever since, with his job taking him all over New Zealand and through massive changes in the industry.
He has worked for Dunedin Railways - formerly known as Taieri Gorge - for the past 18 years.
At the end of his final journey yesterday he said it was the company of his colleagues he would miss most, admitting there was a tinge of sadness when the train arrived at the station.
He got a job in the railways after growing up in Christchurch close to the railway tracks and having a fondness for trains.
''I used to whip down there and watch the trains go by.''
Almost 60 years on from getting the job as a porter, he was proud of what he had achieved.
''It's been an interesting career. I've enjoyed every part of it.''
He still had a fondness for the days of steam engines.
''There was a terrible lot of fun to be had in those days.''
He recalled the joking and pranks of the steam era, including having a train stop mid-trip so a colleague could take photos of the autumn leaves.
''There is a certain thing about the steam. You get a steam train down here and you see [people] come from everywhere.''
Things were not quite the same when diesel took over.
''It took the fun out of it.''
He was retiring out of a desire to ''slow down a wee bit'', but would continue to do little jobs for the company.
With two sons working for KiwiRail in Dunedin and a grandson working for Dunedin Railways, the Beman family would continue to be represented in the rail sector.
''Railway is in the blood, I suppose.''
He was not sure what he would do in his retirement.
''I haven't thought about it really. I'll just see how it goes.''
• Dunedin Railways' train manager Dave Henry also retired yesterday after 15 years with the company.
