A railway booking office clerk from Buckinghamshire has spoken about her family’s incredible 150-year association with the rail industry on the latest edition of London Northwestern Railway’s (LNR) popular “On The Rails” podcast.
Eileen Rogers has worked in the industry for thirty years. Starting out in catering on the first-class carriages for Intercity trains, she grew up just outside of what is now Wolverton Station, where she runs the ticket office.
In the 1870s, Eileen’s great grandfather, Robert Johnson, began work as a coach builder at Wolverton Works, which was home to Queen Victoria’s royal train. His son Charles – Eileen’s grandfather – followed in his father’s footsteps with a job at Wolverton Works.
Eileen’s father, Douglas David Johnson, joined the rail industry in 1930 and would cycle to Northampton from Wolverton to carry out his training each day. He became foreman at Wolverton Works and rose up the ranks to works manager before he retired at 60.
When Eileen’s father retired, his work building trains wasn’t done. He went on to join the steam railway club in Newport Pagnell, where he built miniature steam trains for children to enjoy.
Speaking on LNR’s “On the Rails” podcast, Eileen describes her family history and its deep roots in the industry, as well as her joy of returning to work at Wolverton station in 2024.
Eileen Rogers, booking office clerk at Wolverton for LNR, said: “Growing up just outside of Wolverton Works, I remember waking up to a sea of flat caps outside my window each day. It was my dad who convinced me to start working on the railway.
“He said I had itchy feet as I couldn’t seem to find a job I enjoyed, so when a position came up listed in the local paper, he told me to go for it. I’ve worked in the industry for going on thirty years now, and I’ve truly loved it. Now, coming back to work at Wolverton, it feels like I’ve come full circle.”
The full podcast episode, which also features other interviews with rail workers with long family histories and a look at future careers in the industry through apprenticeships, is available to stream and download via www.lnr.uk/podcast.
Image credit: LNER
