February 4, 2011 4.40 pm This story is over 157 months old

Station bench dedicated to veteran employee

Memorial: A bench was dedicated at the Lincoln train station to one of the longest-serving employees at the station.

A memorial bench was dedicated at the Lincoln train station to honour the late Duty Station Manager John Palin.

Palin’s career spans through almost five decades dedicated to railway passengers.

Back in 1960 when he started his career as clerical officer at the Boston area manager’s office, the Beatles were just starting out.

Palin’s enthusiasm ensured he quickly worked his way up to become yard supervisor at Lincoln operations office where he dealt with engineering movements.

He became station supervisor and later, Duty Station Manager for Lincoln, responsible for the station’s day-to-day running, staff management and security.

After 48 years on the railway and a well deserved retirement, Palin passed away in 2009, just 8 weeks after retirement.

Inspired by his achievements, his colleagues took the initiative to redecorate a station bench and name it after Palin.

Rose Palin, John Palin’s widow (pictured left, alongside daughters Caroline and Joanna) said: ”John loved his work at East Midlands Trains. He did not think of it as a job but rather as a hobby.

“After retiring he often came to Lincoln to watch “special trains” through the station, sitting on his favourite bench on platform 4.

“The memorial bench is a very special way of celebrating the life of someone so extraordinary.

Michelle Portas, Lincoln’s Station Manager for East Midlands Trains said: “John was loved and appreciated by staff and passengers alike and over the years became good friends with many of the team at Lincoln.

“It is thoroughly appropriate to have his name permanently represented at Lincoln station as it is where he spent most of his career.”

After a tribute by East Midlands Trains, Michelle Portas, Station Manager for Lincolnshire, Rose Palin, his widow, Caroline and Joanna Palin, his daughters, and other guests unveil a plaque on John’s favourite station bench, in his memory.