Signalman retires after 38 years at Britain's most unusual rail bridge

Mick Brooks was a teenager the first time his father took him to see the sliding bridge at Keadby. From that moment, a love for life on the railway was born.

"I fell for it and I always had intentions of getting here one day. It's my dad that set me off on the path of railways," he says.

He didn't know then he'd retire from the industry having spent 38 years working at the place that first inspired him - and watching over one of Britain's most unusual rail crossings.

Mick, now 65, is stepping down from Keadby Canal signal box, which controls rail, canal and foot traffic navigating the rare, moving structure.

A rail crossing carrying the Doncaster to Scunthorpe line over the Stainforth & Keadby Canal has existed since 1866, but the sliding bridge dates back to 1925.

It is believed to be the only operational example of its type on the national rail network.

Its unique character was one of the main draws for Mick, he explains.

"I loved it because you're in the middle of nowhere, but it's the variety of what can happen.

"We have people walking across, we have the boats coming through, we have the cars - we're constantly busy, normally."

Mick's grandfather, father and uncle worked on the railways before him, and two of his three children are carrying on the family tradition.

The career appealed so much because of "the variety, the change of lifestyle, the change of locations", he says.

In June 1977, he started his first job for the nationalised British Rail as a train register assistant, working with signallers at Stainforth.

He then took a job as a relief crossing keeper before landing his first signalling role at Ranskill, at the same time that the East Coast Main Line was first electrified.

In the 1990s, he moved to Keadby and started work at his beloved signal box.

The crossing's unique design means the bridge carrying the railway can detach and pivot, to allow barges and other boats to pass.

Then, under the signaller's guidance, it slides back into place and the railway line can carry on as normal.

"It's my pride and joy," Mick, who lives in Thorne, says proudly.

"I love it to bits, it's unique. I hate it when people criticise it - if they care about the bridge, then I'm happy."

From his vantage point overlooking the crossing, Mick has witnessed not only changes to the railway, but also to the surrounding area, over the last four decades.

While others were evacuated for safety, he had a front row seat to the demolition of the nearby coal power station, which has since been replaced by a gas-powered site.

Signalling technology has also changed. Mick has seen the traditional system of mechanical levers replaced by colour lights and now LED.

The bridge itself was updated in 2004, when the pedestrian walkway was added.

"We're progressing all the time, all the time it's moving forward," Mick says.

Mick's role passed from British Rail to the privatised Railtrack over the years, and he retires as a Network Rail employee.

Network Rail operations director Karen Duffy says: "Mick's 49 years of service are an incredible achievement and demonstrate his outstanding dedication to the railway.

"His knowledge of Keadby Bridge and the surrounding railway is exceptional, and countless colleagues have benefited from his experience, enthusiasm and commitment."

Although he's stepping down from his duties, Mick will still be keeping a keen eye on whether things continue to operate smoothly at Keadby, according to him.

"I miss the staff, they've been brilliant.

"You get a working relationship and a lot of them do care about the job and care about the bridge so I'm happy.

"As long as the bridge is happy, I'm happy."

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