Kellingley: From coal to rail, how pit closure resulted in a whole new career path
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Mr Guthrie, 33, from Barlby near Selby, spent 16 years in the mining industry before taking redundancy in January to pursue a new career path as a train driver.
Having joined the Mines Rescue Service straight from school, Guthrie found himself working for British Coal at mines in Barnsley and Selby within a few months and had just qualified as a deputy at Kellingley when he decided it was time to move on.
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Hide Ad“There weren’t many roles I hadn’t tried during my time at the pit, other than train driving!” said Guthrie, who now works for Northern Rail.
“After the pit I wanted something with a future, a job that was rewarding, had a good salary and was interesting to do. I love it at Northern Rail.
“There is life after coal and I am sure all the lads who want to forge new careers will do so. A lot of the skills they have may not be transferable because they’re so specialised but you can take a miner’s work ethic anywhere.
“The opportunities are there, you just have to believe in yourself and go after them.”
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Hide AdThe most important legacy from Guthrie’s time in the mining industry is the friendships he forged with men brought together by the tough conditions underground.
“It’s a unique environment and not something you are ever going to experience anywhere else,” he said. “I know lads who have been in the Army and they say the same thing.
“Unless you’ve worked at the put it’s hard to describe: there’s a special bond between miners which I know will last me a lifetime.”
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