A Chiltern Railways employee has retired after 50 years of service.

Neville Royce, who worked as a customer service inspector at the railway line, officially left the club on Monday, August 10 - 50 years to the day that he started working at Chiltern Railways.

READ MORE: Near-miss between Chiltern Railways train and Tube train at Chalfont and Latimer

Colleagues at Chiltern Railways surprised Neville with a special socially-distanced presentation ceremony at Marylebone Station on August 6, where speeches were made over the announcement system and a guard of honour was performed by staff.

Chiltern Railways' interim managing director, Mary Hewitt, presented him with a certificate, plaque, and class 68 train model in Chiltern livery.

Mr Royce plans to use his retirement to spend more time with his family, in particular his wife, and visiting his young grandson in Yorkshire.

But admitted he’ll miss working on the railway.

Neville said: “Five generations of Royce’s have now worked on the railway – it’s in my genes.

“The sight of a train rushing through a station still gives me a buzz and the sound of a steam engine fighting its way up Hatton Bank or accelerating out of Princes Risborough will always send a shiver down my spine!

READ MORE: Chiltern Railways accused of covertly overcharging passengers

“I have learnt that you learn something new every day and if you think you know everything about the railway, you don’t.

“While I won’t miss the early mornings, I will miss the comradery and being able to tell people with pride that I work on the railway.”

Neville joined the railway as a booking clerk in Luton on 10 August ,1970 before moving to the booking office in Oxford six years later, where he met his future wife Glynis - they have been married for 39 years.

In 1980, he began work as a ticket inspector in Aylesbury and remained there until his retirement.

He credits his love of the railway to the previous generations of his family who all worked in the industry.

At the start of August, Chiltern Railways were recently accredited with a ‘We’re Good to Go’ seal of approval from Visit Britain.

READ MORE: Chiltern Railways given the seal of approval by Visit Britain

‘We’re Good to Go’ is a UK-wide industry standard mark which is aimed at reassuring customers that a business adheres to Government and public health guidance.

The accreditation also means that Chiltern Railways customers can be assured that the train operator is adhering to Government and public health guidance, has carried out a Covid-19 risk assessment and has the required processes in place.