I started working for the then new State Rail Authority of New South Wales in 1980 working in signal boxes. During my 29 years of employment with the railways I worked my way up through the grades until I became an Area Controller at Strathfield Area Signalling Complex. I was brought up in a railway family, my Grandmother was a gatekeeper and my Grandfather was a per way ganger, I also had uncles who were drivers and one conductor, and my father was a fireman for six months before he found out he was colour blind so was put off.