Avanti West Coast employee Shashi Vyas has reached an impressive milestone in his career, with 50 years of service under his belt on the rail operator’s route.

Colleagues celebrated with 74-year-old Shashi at London Euston Station where he is based as a Cash Office Clerk.

Shashi was just 23 years old when he joined the railway in the Admin Office at British Rail’s Management Training Centre in Watford.

His choice of work was inspired by his passion for travel and the position offered him an interesting opportunity after his move from Uganda in 1972.

In 1974, Shashi changed positions within the railway, working at Croxley Green Depot in the telephone enquiry department which also saw him prepare wages for maintenance employees and also working at Croxley Green Station in the stores which saw him in charge of organising staff timesheets and stationery orders.

Making a move to London Euston in 1993, Shashi began his current job in the booking office which is now called the Cash Office with his day-to-day work seeing him receive and process money taken onboard trains and this feat of service has seen him become Avanti West Coast‘s longest current serving member of the cash office and retail team at the station.

The rail operator marked Shashi’s impressive achievement by presenting him with a photo album, which covers his time working on the railway to date.

The celebration also saw Shashi’s family and colleagues gather on the station concourse, where he received a resounding round of applause alongside a celebratory message on the information screen.

Shashi said: “I love working on the railway – it’s an industry I’m proud to have carved out a career in. Every day is different, and my favourite thing is meeting new people. It’s the people that make the railway special and have given me the fondest memories of my career – we’re one big family and all look out for each other. My colleagues have kept me going over these 50 years and everyone I’ve worked with is happy, welcoming and takes pride in their job. This is something that will always stay with me and are values I’ll keep up, as I continue my service on the railway.”

Alyona Bennett, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at London Euston, said: “Shashi is the most humble, modest, and happy colleague I have ever worked with. The most kind and infectious smile are what comes to mind when I think of Shashi. He always meets you with a smile and gratitude no matter what obstacles he may be faced with and gets on with what needs to be done.”

“Shashi is a true ambassador of the railway and achieving 50 years of service is an amazing milestone! On behalf of Avanti West Coast and the team at Euston, I’d like to congratulate Shashi on his achievement and thank him for all he’s done. It is an absolute honour to work alongside him and we wish him many more happy years on the railway.”