John Cue was just 17 when he took up his first job, at the Gisborne Railway Station.
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Now 63, Mr Cue has his last shift at V/Line today.
In that 46 years he's travelled across the state, seen 5000 donkeys travel by train, and even met his wife.
When Mr Cue began, there were just three trains a day. It took about two hours and 40 minutes to get to Melbourne from Bendigo.
Now, there's normally 21 trains each day. The fastest service to Melbourne takes about an hour and 40 minutes.
Mr Cue has worked everywhere from Macedon, Castlemaine and Kyneton to Bridgewater, Wedderburn and Elmore. Since 1984 he has been stationed at Bendigo.
He's has only seen the railways grow in his time.
"It's getting busier and busier," Mr Cue said.
"Down the main line there there's new carparks being built."
Mr Cue jokes that Mrs Cue won't miss his timetable. She'll no longer be woken up at all hours of the day and night.
He even suggested she could take down the whiteboard on which he writes his hours.
But Mrs Cue has other ideas.
There's a shed to tidy, a pool to finish, and Mr Cue needs to set up his garden beds properly.
He'll need to use the board for a to-do-list on, she's suggested.
Meeting his wife was a highlight of Mr Cue's time at work.
A widower, Mrs Cue had decided to take her kids to Melbourne for a school trip.
It was a busy day, and Mr Cue could see she needed a bit of a hand. So he sat her down and had a chat.
And it all went from there. It was 1993 when they met, and the pair married in 1997.
With this Mr Cue "inherited" a family, which has only grown. Kids Justin and Michelle both have kids of their own, and Mr and Mrs Cue have five grandchildren.
He's looking forward to spending more time with them during retirement. But first, a holiday beckons.
Mr and Mrs Cue are going to hitch up the caravan and head north to Coomealla.
V/Line staff are celebrating somewhat differently. It's "Cuey week" at the Bendigo Railway Station.
Mr Cue always preferred to be called "John" or "Mr Cue", rather than "Cuey".
But he decided to hold a "Call me Cuey Day", to celebrate the end of his time at the station.
After 46 years, a day wasn't enough. His colleagues have been calling him Cuey all week.
Boss Greg Christie has known Mr Cue for more than 40 years, and he'll be sorry to say goodbye.
"John's well respected among all the staff because of his caring manner," Mr Christie said.
"[He's] very well-natured and I'll be sad to see him go."
And how's Mr Cue feeling about leaving his lifetime's work?
"Pretty good" is the answer. In 46 years there's a lot to think about, he's made many friends, and he's in no doubt he'll miss it.
But with good health and plenty of projects, it's time to go.
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