Richard Monty, English railway guard, c 1880.

Oil painting on canvas by an unknown artist. Richard Monty (1842-1931) started work as a telegraph mesenger for the Stockton and Darlington Railway aged 14 in 1856. His wages were tenpence a day (about 4 pence). The S&DR, opened on 27 September 1825, included the first ever purpose-built railway pasenger coach on a steam locomotive called the 'Experiment'. Monty was the last pasenger guard on the S&DR, retiring in 1909 at the age of 89 after 54 years of service. He is portayed here in his red frock coat uniform with his dog.