A RAILWAY worker from Gourock, who started his career on the tracks aged just 16, has marked his last working day after clocking up 47 years of service.
Gerry Bowie, fleet interface engineer at Avanti West Coast, checked Pendolino trains at Glasgow for the last time ensuring they were safe and reliable for passenger service before his retirement.
Family and colleagues gathered at Glasgow Central station to celebrate his achievement and wish him well, with a congratulatory message displayed on the departure board.
After leaving school, Gerry, who was too young to follow in his dad’s footsteps into Clyde shipyards, applied for a railway apprenticeship.
He was one of 60 apprentices who joined British Rail Engineering Limited (BREL) Glasgow’s Springburn works, a manufacturing and maintenance facility in August 1978. In 1983, he took a job at Grangemouth depot, where he worked on diesel locomotives.
For the next 30 years, Gerry held many roles maintaining various traction types at locations including Eastfield, Glasgow Central and Polmadie. In 2013, he joined Glasgow Subway as a service delivery manager for rolling stock.
Gerry returned to the West Coast Main Line in 2016 as a route support engineer, a role he held for nearly nine years before his current job. He was responsible for improving, identifying and managing engineering performance on the route between London and Scotland, ensuring the fleet ran as efficiently and reliably as possible.
Gerry said: “I’ve come a long way from the spotty teenager outside the gate of Springburn waiting to embark on my railway career. The railway has been my whole life and working with great people has kept me motivated. It’s been quite the journey with many highs that I’ll remember fondly. I’ve met many incredibly talented people who have helped me and shaped my career. For that, I’m eternally grateful. I would like to wish my colleagues good health, good luck and continued success.”
Dean Duthie, engineering and infrastructure director at Avanti West Coast, said: “On behalf of Avanti West Coast, I’d like to congratulate Gerry on his 47 years of service and thank him for all he has done for colleagues and customers. Gerry is a well-loved member of the team who brings humour, support, and a can-do attitude in abundance. He’ll be sorely missed. We wish Gerry all the best for his retirement.”
Irene Pacheco, Pendolino contract production manager at Avanti West Coast, said: “It has been a pleasure working with Gerry. He is a great laugh and has an impeccable work ethic. Gerry is always willing to help anyone, attend depots to make sure everything is done properly or give advice to the team conducting the work. We’ll miss Gerry and wish him a happy retirement.”
