The year was 1954, and a 14-year-old William 'Bill' Stevens had just begun his career with Victorian Railways, now V/Line.

His career would span more than 61 years, and on Friday the 75-year-old Ballarat man will hang up the boots and enter a well-deserved retirement.

A regular face around the Ballarat train station since 1976, an emotional Mr Stevens on Tuesday said he would miss the great friends he'd made on the job, including a long list of commuters.

"I've loved my time and I've loved my job," he said, with his signature smile beaming from ear to ear.

"I think the greatest joy has been due to my love of trains. The things have always fascinated me, especially the freight services back in the day."

Mr Stevens started his career as a junior storeman on January 25, 1954, just three months short of his 15th birthday.

By the next year, he'd taken up the role of "lad porter" at South Yarra Station.

His railway career then took him to Bruthen, Melbourne, Korong Vale, Castlemaine, Ballarat and Linton, with various roles including station assistant, shunter, goods guard and rail motor guard.

He returned to Ballarat in 1976 and has been in his current role of station assistant since 1991.

Mr Stevens was joined by his daughter and one of his 13 grandchildren at Ballarat train station on Tuesday when Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan arrived to congratulate him.

"Sixty-one years is a remarkable period of service and almost unheard of these days," Ms Allan said.

"What a wonderful achievement."

V/Line chief executive Theo Taifalos thanked Mr Stevens for his dedicated service.

"We wish Bill a long and happy retirement," Mr Taifalos said.

"His workmates will miss him and so will the regular customers of Ballarat Station."

Mr Stevens plans to spend time in Tasmania with his daughter and said he was looking forward to a week of fishing in the Snowy Mountains and caravanning around Australia with his partner.

"There might be a few train rides too," he said.