A Trowbridge man, who retired after being a train driver for 50 years, now plans to go full steam ahead in enjoying his passion for film.

Philip Marshman, 65, of Dursley Road, started work at Westbury Train Station, in 1962, as a coal boy at the age of 15, and went on to become a train driver.

Friends and colleagues held a retirement party for him at the station’s staff association building last Saturday, when he received a medallion commemorating his 50 years of service and a model of a Foster Yeoman 59 Classic.

Away from the railways, film buff Mr Marshman is secretary of the Frome Film Club and he intends to indulge his love of motion pictures during his retirement.

He said: “I have a huge interest in cinema and love going to the National Film Theatre in London on the train. Now I’m retired, I can go whenever I want.”

Mr Marshman, who served on the Westbury staff committee, said of his retirement send-off: “It all went off quite well. I’m not really a party person, but I thought it was very good.

“They all said some quite nice things about me and gave me a few pressies, too.”

During his career, Mr Marshman worked away in Bromsgrove and Stratford on Avon in the West Midlands, before returning to Westbury and later specialising in working on passenger trains.

Mr Marshman’s favourite film is The Titfield Thunderbolt and the Ealing comedy has close links to his career.

The 1953 feature, about a group of villagers trying to keep open their rail line, was filmed on a disused line at Limpley Stoke and had rail staff from the Westbury depot taking roles in the film.

Mr Marshman said: “I think, because of the local links, that is my favourite. But whenever I feel down in the dumps I also enjoy watching Blazing Saddles. It never fails to make me laugh.”

Mr Marshman, who has made more than 100 films, joined the Frome Film Club in 1979. One of his features, Learning The Newspaper Business, won a BBC competition in the 1980s, which resulted in it being screened on television.

He said: “We are not a very big club, but we have a good quality of expertise and we are always happy to welcome new members.”

For information about the film club, call 01225 764752.