11-year-old railway enthusiast and local trainspotter Joshua Emmett from Stoke-On-Trent has spent a day at Avanti West Coast’s training facility in the capital.
Arranged in part by Joshua’s tutor, Lauran, who approached Avanti West Coast, she explained that due to Joshua’s anxiety, trainspotting in his local area is one of the few activities that brings him social interaction, builds his confidence, and pleases him when he is outside.
Avanti West Coast invited Joshua on a special trip to London, which saw him experience what it would be like to be a train driver for a day.
Beginning at his home station, he and his immediate family boarded a Pendolino train bound for London Euston, where on arrival, he was welcomed into the cab of the train. Following this, there was a visit to the driving simulator, where Joshua had a go, before gaining an insight into the role of a train driver.
At present, Joshua is a regular spotter around Stoke-on-Trent and occasionally makes trips to Crewe to witness the goings on and to cop trains at one of the major railway stations on the West Coast Mainline. His ambition is to become a train driver.
The 11-year-old also has a YouTube channel, ‘The Secret Train Spotter’, where he shares videos and clips of trains around his local patch of the railway network.
“I love the railway – especially the sounds and different trains. My favourite livery is Avanti West Coast’s Progress train because of the rainbow colours. I feel honoured to have been given the chance to drive a Pendolino,
I want to become a train driver because I want to help people get to their destinations. I love looking out of the window and seeing the sights. Being able to have a view from the driver’s cab would be amazing!”
Joshua
“It was a pleasure welcoming Joshua to Euston station to become a train driver for the day. His passion and enthusiasm for the railway was brilliant and he showed great potential in the driver’s seat.
Trains mean a lot to Joshua, which is why we were keen to make his experience special and spur him on to pursue a career in rail – it’s especially fitting as the railway marks its 200th anniversary and wants to inspire the next generation. We wish Joshua all the best with his studying and hope his dream of becoming a train driver comes true one day.”
Joanna Buckley, Avanti West Coast Community Manager
“I’m amazed and so grateful to Avanti West Coast for providing this opportunity. This is a dream come true for Joshua and an invaluable experience for him – socially, personally, and educationally.
I hope this experience will give him the confidence and reassurance the next stage of his education will be vital to help get where he wants to be. Hopefully, one day I will be able to travel on a train with him – maybe even one driven by him!”
Lauran, Joshua’s Tutor
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