Tributes have been paid to a former station master who has died at the age of 72.

Don O’Brien, who lived in Theobald Street, was a well-known and popular figure and spent most of his railway career as station master at Elstree & Borehamwood station.

He also worked in St Albans, Luton, Cricklewood, and Kings Cross, first joining in 1989. He retired two years ago.

Colleague Larry Heyman was mentored by Mr O’Brien when he first joined Elstree & Borehamwood station back in 2000.

Mr Heyman said: “I spent several weeks working in the ticket office at Elstree & Borehamwood; Don was welcoming and quickly made me feel at ease. What he didn't know about rail tickets probably wasn't worth knowing, so he was the ideal tutor and mentor for a newbie.

“I remember being struck by the fact that he knew so many of his regular customers by name, including many whom I had previously only seen on a TV or cinema screen! He was a truly lovely man with a wonderful sense of humour and will be missed by all his former colleagues whose lives he enriched.”

Borehamwood Times:

Mr O'Brien's retirement in 2016 was reported in the Borehamwood Times

Following his retirement, Mr O’Brien donated his railway cap and other items to the museum at 96 Shenley Road which was featured in the ‘All Change’ exhibition that has been on show in Borehamwood this year.

Looking back on his career at Elstree & Borehamwood following his retirement, Mr O’Brien recalled: “Having previously worked in hotels, I was amazed to discover the railways had so many rules. Back in the 1980s it was like joining the army.

“I have seen a lot of changes in the way stations are run. Nowadays there are contactless payments as well as Oyster cards. Relations with customers are important and I do like a bit of banter.

“I made some nice friends and worked with a great team.”

Mr O’Brien died on October 27 following an illness.