Southend c2c commuter given last journey to remember

2:31pm Monday 10th September 2012 in News By Emma Thomas

Southend c2c commuter given last journey to remember Southend c2c commuter given last journey to remember

A COMMUTER who retired after 32 years travel was given a last journey to remember.

c2c made Graham Meakin’s usual journey from Southend East to London Fenchurch Street a special one by surprising him with the best seat on the train - next to the driver.

As well as the VIP ride in the driver’s cab, a special tannoy announcement was made to greet Graham when the train arrived at Fenchurch Street and he was met by colleagues from the Royal Bank of Canada, where he worked as an IT manager, and his wife Jacque.

After his trip, Graham said: “It was a magical experience, absolutely fantastic – you get a totally different view from the driver’s cab. I knew something was up, but I never imagined I’d be given a surprise like this. I might not be a commuter anymore 32 years, but this made my last trip to work really memorable.”

c2c driver manager Ryan Dearlove, who drove the train on Graham’s final commute, added: “When Mrs Meakin contacted us and explained Graham had commuted on our line for 32 years, we were more than happy to help make his last journey to work special. He was really shocked when I invited him into my cab at Southend East – but he clearly enjoyed the journey.”

Comments(8)

mys842 says...
4:28pm Mon 10 Sep 12

Fantastic. I bet he has seen some changes to that line over the years, well done c2c, little things like this are great

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WhateverS says...
7:32pm Mon 10 Sep 12

First time in 32 years he got a seat

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Southend65 says...
8:03pm Mon 10 Sep 12

mys842 wrote:
Fantastic. I bet he has seen some changes to that line over the years, well done c2c, little things like this are great
Yeah, the trains in to London used to take 10 minutes less in the good old days...

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ShipShape says...
11:33pm Mon 10 Sep 12

What a great gesture.
Have a good retirement Mr Meakin.

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honestessex says...
8:23am Tue 11 Sep 12

how nice to read a heart warming story for a change, first of all well done to C2C but most of all well done to Mr Meakin and I hope he has a well earned retirement !!!

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samuel19930 says...
10:42am Tue 11 Sep 12

This is my Father-in-Law and yes he had a great day and is looking forward to a well earned rest after 32 years of early mornings.

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andy:) says...
11:58am Tue 11 Sep 12

Good story, its a pity that good work can easily be undone though, for example, this morning at westcliff, both ticket machines were not working and when trying to go through the gate you were greeted by ticket inspectors enuiring as to why you had no ticket !..eerr..coz machines are bust, ok it was possible to then buy ticket from satff at counter but there were long queues and I bet many missed their trains.

C2C if you are gonna have a purge on ticket inspections, wouldnt it be wise to ensure that both machines were working first ?

Andy

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Trainman says...
12:21am Wed 12 Sep 12

Have the moaning passengers EVER thought to remember there could be more passengers needing tickets when machines aren't working, so need to queue?

As for Mr. Meakin, you have got one over me, as I was born in Laindon, wanted to join the railway when REAL trains were there and steam hauled, but sadly they changed to what I call Sardine tins on wheels, so did another job.

I would SERIOUSLY Love to get a cab-ride either way, between Fenchurch Street and Shoeburyness, via Laindon.

I did end up working on the railway until my retirement, and so kept my free boxes, but these do NOT include cab-rides.

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