The clock was well and truly turned back for Virgin CrossCountry man Brian Johnson when he retired after a successful railway career spanning 40 years.

Staff at CrossCountry’s Birmingham Meridian office, where Brian was franchise director, paid for him to travel on a rather special locomotive on the Severn Valley Railway by way of a retirement treat.

It brought the memories flooding back. As a child of six he had ridden on the same loco, 46443, a British Railways Ivatt ‘Mogul’ locomotive.

Brian never forgot his exciting childhood experience. It was that ride which was the inspiration for him to become a railwayman many years later.

The 58-year-old director, who decided to retire after notching up four decades of railway life, treated staff to food and other refreshments on the train’s run between Kidderminster and Bewdley. It was packed with many of Brian’s colleagues and friends from his days in British Rail and with Virgin Trains.

Brian was very much one of the founding fathers of the CrossCountry services when the network was created in 1986. During his time with CrossCountry he was a duty manager for South West and sometimes worked at Bristol Temple Meads.

In another event to mark his retirement, Virgin CrossCountry held a special Feel Good Awards ceremony to thank people for their contribution to the success of the company, which has now been taken over by Arriva.

Brian was presented with his award in recognition of his 40 years of service and for his loyalty and dedication in making the services a success.

BBC Television’s News 24 anchorman Nicholas Owen and Passengers’ Panel member Eileen Guttmann handed over the award.