Station manager Kevin Andrews has been helping others on trains for 55 years

He began his journey at Mittagong station as a junior assistant on March 13, 1967, and worked in Exeter, Penrose and across NSW before he went to Moss Vale.

He rose through the ranks and worked in various roles as a relief staff member, trained as an apprentice through the ASN school, and has been a station duty manager for over 20 years.

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"I've enjoyed my time, I've worked with many great people," he said.

"I've had a great time, I've met lots of my friends through the railway."

The duty station manager previously marked 50 years in his railway career with an award at Moss Vale Station's 150th anniversary in 2017.

He said the railway staff were like "family", and was always willing to help others.

"If you can help somebody, why not help them?" he asked.

One of Mr Andrews' former colleagues and trainers, Bill Nolan, said the station duty manager was always happy to help, where particular memories stood out to him.

Mr Nolan said he was working at Central Station, when he received a call from his friend requesting a separate carriage for a class and their teacher, while they went on an excursion.

"It was quite often the case that Kevin made a call on the way," he said.

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"It's good for students and teachers to be together and it helps the other passengers," Mr Andrews said.

"If you can get them into a carriage, it helps everyone."

Mr Nolan said there was a time when Kevin went home and grabbed his barbecue, and some bread and sausages for commuters stuck in Mittagong, when a track was obstructed towards Sydney.

It was not the first time the Moss Vale duty station manager went above and beyond with an obstruction.

"He made sure to arrange road buses, luggage transfers, made sure people were informed," Mr Nolan said.

Mr Andrews even got festive and donned a red suit and beard as Santa suit around the Highlands and at various train stations.

The Mittagong local gave out lollies and said hello to Highlanders of all ages in Mittagong, Moss Vale and Bowral.

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"It was great to see the kids happy and their parents," he said.

"I got a lot of enjoyment from the kids' faces."

He also travelled to Liverpool, Campbelltown and made his way over to the Central Station Concourse to spread some Christmas cheer.

Acts of kindness did not stop there - a lady once called Mr Andrews when a Fijian football team arrived in Mittagong, and said the group was going in the city and if he knew anyone they could see.

Calls were made by the Mittagong resident, where he arranged for the team to go behind the scenes with the Waratahs team, free transport from Bowral.

There was not only a passion for helping people travel, but a dedication to his local community - Mr Andrews has helped raise funds for community groups and helped source Christmas decorations for trees in the region.

He also united with classmates from Mittagong Public School to find former students to hold reunions - he said out of the 108 students, they have tracked down 107.

Mr Andrews has gone on long-service leave for three months, and will decide if he returns to work when after his break.

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