FORTY years ago, on August 2, 1971, we were about to start on a historic career in the rail industry. We were amongst the BREL apprentice scheme at BREL Apprentice School, Poppleton Road, York.

The railway industry has seen a lot of changes since 1971. Both Dave and myself have worked on various projects at different sites around this country during which time we have both seen a lot of changes.

A lot of BREL works have closed, sadly York and the latest casualty, Derby.

We are holding a BREL old boys reunion to celebrate having been part of this dying industry and have a chat about all our life and times while working in the railways.

It would be good to see other apprentices who started at the Apprentice School in 1971 and also all the old railway boys, to be held at Severus WMC, Acomb, York at 7.30pm on August 3, 2011.

Dave Atkin and Michael Revell, Barlow Street, Acomb, York.