Ferdie started work for British Rail as a Railman at Didcot Station on 1st April 1985. Later that year he moved to Causeway Crossing as a Crossing Keeper, also acting as Relief at Appleford Crossing. In 1986 Ferdie moved to Oxford as a Relief Signalman (Tamping Pool), where he was able to learn Colthrop and Kintbury Crossing Boxes. In 1987 Ferdie was appointed a position as Signalman in Reading PSB. He remained at Reading until 1998 when he was promoted to Panel Supervisor, during which time he also covered the Reading MOM post. When the Supervisors posts disappeared from Reading, Ferdie chose to go back to being a signalman - the job he enjoys to this day.