One of the state’s longest serving train drivers, a Central Coast resident known affectionately as G.O.D, is marking 55 years on the railways of NSW.
John Szabo, Gosford’s Oldest Train driver, was joined at Gosford Station by colleagues, friends, family, and Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Jenny Aitchison to celebrate this milestone.
Aitchison met and congratulated Szabo, who began his railway career in July 1969 shortly after finishing high school, as a trainee engineman on steam trains.
“The commitment of John Szabo and other long serving rail workers have shown to keeping us safe and on track is truly appreciated by the entire community.
“I had the pleasure of meeting John, and it was humbling to hear about his passion for customer service. I listened to many stories of how he’s helped passengers over the decades. On behalf of the community, thank you John for your decades of hard work and dedication.”
From his early days shunting steam trains in Sydney yards to completing his diesel train driver training in 1976, he has never considered changing careers. Today, Szabo drives trains between Gosford, Newcastle and Sydney on the Central Coast-Newcastle train line, which has about a million passenger trips each month.
“Most of what I remember from the steam era is being dirty – I’d go to work clean and come home with soot in my ears,” Szabo said.
“I love my job. The simple fact that I’ve been doing it so long is proof enough. The job’s been good to me, it’s paid all my bills for more than 50 years! I will keep driving for as long as they’ll have me. Driving is what makes me happy.”
Over the past half-century, Mr. Szabo has worked on all types of trains, including steam, diesel, rail motors, and electric, safely transporting hundreds of thousands of commuters. Mr. Szabo’s teammates gave him the nickname ‘G.O.D’, even painting the letters on a car parking space at the station.
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