The emotional moment a popular local train driver finished the last journey of his career before retirement has been caught on video.
After 52 years of driving trains right across Greater Manchester and beyond, 69-year-old Joe Crean pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week, and was was greeted by a PA announcement congratulating him on his outstanding service and thanking him for his many years of hard work.
The “legend” TransPennine Express (TPE) driver from Glossop was also given a hero’s welcome as he was met by the applause and well-wishes of his friends, family, and fellow rail workers.
The moment Joe Crean finished his last train driver after 52 years / Credit: TPE
Joe’s career on the railway began all the way back in 1971 as a steward in the dining car for British Rail, but after lots of encouragement from his colleagues, he then went on to apply to become a train driver and took on the role of trainee driver in April 1975.
After five years of training and working as a driver’s assistant, Joe was able to become a fully-fledged qualified driver in June 1980.
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It was in 2011 that Joe joined TPE as a driver based at Manchester Piccadilly, and during his time with the company, also went on to spend several years as a driver instructor helping to train up the next generation of drivers.
Joe pulled into Manchester Piccadilly station for the final time last week / Credit: TPE
“I have over half a century of cherished memories on the railway, and it means a lot to have shared my final journey with both my family and my railway family,” Joe said as his last shift came to an end.
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Now that he’s closed the door on his rail career, Joe says he’s looking forward to spending some more time with his wife Christine, and sons Gary and Shane, as well as his extended family, and hopes to travel and take some time to relax on holiday.
Aside from that, Joe says he wants to nurture his hobbies more as he loves walking and spending time outdoors.
— TransPennine Express (@TPExpressTrains) May 10, 2023
He also hopes to watch his local team, Glossop North End, and volunteer to help out at the club too.
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Speaking at the end of Joe’s last shift, Matthew Golton – Managing Director at TPE – said: “Joe is amongst the rare few who have achieved the 50-year milestone on the railway, and he has lit up Manchester Piccadilly depot with his humour, hard work, loyalty, and diligence.
“Joe’s retirement marks the end of an era but his legacy and contributions towards the future generation of drivers will carry on.
“He has been a credit to TPE, and will be sorely missed.”
Featured Image – TPE
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Manchester crowned UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026
Emily Sergeant
Prague, Amsterdam, Benidorm, and now… Manchester?
Jetting off to some of Europe’s cheapest capital cities for a boozy night out with your mates before tying the knot is pretty common-place in the world of stag do culture nowadays.
But some new research has now revealed the UK cities that deliver a legendary last hurrah without the price tag, or the need to hop on a plane.
Chillisauce, the UK’s leading hen and stag organiser, has analysed 81,000+ recent group bookings alongside survey feedback from 4,738 stag groups, cross-referenced against live 2026 travel fares, accommodation, and pint prices.
To devise its top 10 list, real price data has been blended with verified group satisfaction to guarantee stags and their pals the best experience.
With the pull of a major city with music, sport, food, and nightlife without London prices, Manchester was crowned the best-value city for a stag do in 2026 overall.
Manchester has been crowned the UK’s best-value stag do destination for 2026 / Credit: Manchester City Council | shawnanggg (via Unsplash)
The average pint runs a little higher in Manchester than the smaller cities on the list, but groups rated the sheer scale and quality of the night out well above the cost, calling it ‘much more affordable than the South of England’ and ‘cheaper than London’.
For a weekend in Manchester, research found that the average cost per person includes £86.36 for accommodation, £36.66 for an activity, £25.08 for a drinks package, £29.35 for a meal, and the average pint coming in at £6.
“We send thousands of groups to Prague, Amsterdam, and Benidorm every year,” said Robyn Davis, Head of Stag and Hen at Chillisauce,”but Manchester keeps delivering nights out that groups tell us beat their expectations.
“There are also those only-in-Manchester touches too, like catching a match at Old Trafford or the Etihad on the same trip.
“Groups describe the locals as up for a laugh and the whole city as ‘built for a stag weekend,’ with a huge number of them already planning to go back, which is the real test of a great destination.”
Other northern destinations on the top 10 list include Newcastle, Leeds, and Liverpool.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off
Emily Sergeant
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off.
Okay, so it’s not technically closing down per se, but the current LOFT premises off Hyde Road near Piccadilly will officially close doors on 30 September, as the business consolidates its operations and relocates to its newly completed headquarters over at Trafford Park.
Unlike a typical closing-down sale, the stock isn’t old or unwanted. Instead, it’s a live snapshot of LOFT’s day-to-day business, and everything must go.
LOFT is known for furnishing properties across the build-to-rent, student accommodation, co-living, private rented, and social housing sectors, and that constant turnover naturally generates surplus – whether it be project overstock, end-of-line pieces or discontinued items making way for new collections.
The move over to Trafford Park is said to be a moment to clear the warehouse ‘completely’ and start the new chapter with a clean slate.
Manchester furniture outlet LOFT is hosting a major closing-down sale with up to 70% off / Credit: Supplied
This means that everything, from sofas and beds, to dining sets, armchairs, and home accessories, must go before the move, with prices already reduced by 50 to 70% below RRP.
Benjamin Hall, who is the Founder and CEO of LOFT, says this is the ‘biggest and best value’ sale the company has ever offered.
He explained: “As we settle into our new home at Trafford Park, we want a completely clean slate. Whether you’re a homeowner after a one-off bargain, or a landlord, agent or developer furnishing multiple units on a budget, there has never been a better time to visit.”
Emily Sergeant -
17th May 2023 
