Donald Wilson, one of the most familiar figures at London’s Marylebone station for the past 13 years, has retired – to spent more time travelling and driving trains.

The 63-year-old station master, who is also a volunteer driver for a railway preservation society, cut a distinctive figure at Marylebone, which is the London terminal for the London to Birmingham Chiltern Line.

Commuters facing disruption would know just who to go to for help. Donald would be there, resplendent in gold braided peak cap and his favoured long, maroon-coloured overcoat.

From the busy concourse during countless rush hours he and his staff would dispense advice on services.

He recalled: “The job was advertised in 1994 as 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with an office on the second floor.

“I suggested to my boss Adrian Shooter that I should work a later shift, so that I would always be on hand to deal with any problems that might arise with passengers during the evening peak. I also moved my office to the concourse so

I would be easily accessible if needed.

“I always thought it was wrong when things went wrong and there were no bosses about.”

Donald joined British Rail in 1989 as a part-time announcer at the station. Later he worked at Venture House, Reading, dealing with passenger correspondence before returning to Marylebone as stationmaster.

Donald has seen many improvements at the station over the years and helped to organise the centenary celebrations in March 1999.

Earlier this year he was on hand to see Chiltern Railways awarded Best Public Transport Operator of the Year at the London Transport Awards.

To mark his retirement Donald treated more than 70 station staff and friends to a trip on a River Thames party boat.

Cath Proctor, former managing director of Chiltern Railways, said: “It is difficult to image Marylebone station without Donald. He will be missed.”

But he won’t by any means be cutting his railway connections. For 23 years Donald has been a volunteer diesel multiple unit driver on the West Somerset Railway and he also works on the Wensleydale Railway in North Yorkshire and the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Tenterden.

Now the seasoned traveller who has already visited more than 40 countries is planning more adventurous trips to places such as Madagascar and Tibet, as well as to China. He also lectures and writes travel articles on top of his

hectic schedule.

“I shall miss the interaction between passengers and the staff, and the comradeship most of all,” Donald said.

“Marylebone station has a fantastic team.”