The Dunedin resident is a third generation rail worker and will be involved in celebrations for the 150th anniversary of rail in New Zealand at the Dunedin Railway Station tomorrow.
Mr Martin (60) has worked for KiwiRail, in its many forms, for 44 years and has been an engine driver for 37 years.
His grandfather worked throughout the country maintaining the railway from 1928, and his father started making steam engines at South Dunedin's Hillside Engineering Workshops in 1944.
Mr Martin began working at Hillside in the stores office in 1969, and after about eight years moved on to locomotives.
He was among the first drivers in the ''all diesel loco school'', which replaced steam.
''It's a terribly good job. Working in rail is more of a career than a job, almost like a calling.''
Tomorrow, Mr Martin and another Dunedin engine driver will show people around a locomotive cab as part of a rail roadshow which has been travelling the country this month for the 150th celebrations.
The travelling rail exhibition showcased the evolution of rail in New Zealand and comprised four individually themed educational containers about the industry.
Entertainment and a locomotion dance challenge would also be staged at the railway station between 10am and 4pm.
Mr Martin said rail had a special significance in New Zealand and continued to provide a cost-effective means of transporting goods and people.
''Rail is something like five times more fuel-efficient than trucks. It's expanding as well, we've got more tonnage than we can handle and the trains are always full.''
From Dunedin he regularly drove trains up to Timaru and down to Invercargill.
Mr Martin said driving trains brought a great sense of achievement and he would recommend a career in rail to anybody.
He was the longest-serving KiwiRail employee still working in Dunedin and had no plans to give up the title.
''I'll be going until I'm 65.''
