Five-Year-Old Train Fan Becomes Rookie Driver for a Day with Avanti West Coast!
Young Train Buff’s Dream Comes True
Avanti West Coast made the day of five-year-old Daniel Rogerson from Standish, Wigan, when they invited him to their driving school in Crewe. The pint-sized train fanatic, a massive fan of Avanti West Coast’s iconic Pendolino trains, got to become a trainee driver for the day. This special treat came after the company spotted his incredible passion for trains.
From Wooden Tracks to Real Pendolinos
Daniel’s obsession with trains kicked off at just one year old, thanks to a wooden train set his mum, Elaine, gifted him. His living room soon became a sprawling railway, and the love only grew. Daniel and his grandad spend hours trainspotting, happily watching Pendolinos whizz past their local station. Riding the high-speed Pendolinos between Wigan and Lancaster with his mum is one of his favourite pastimes.
A Pendolino Bed Catches Avanti’s Eye
His love runs so deep that Elaine had a Pendolino-shaped bed custom-made by local business Octavia Chic. When Avanti West Coast’s social media team spotted the bed on X (formerly Twitter), they knew they had to step in and offer Daniel an unforgettable experience at their Talent Academy.
Rookie Driver for a Day: Behind the Scenes at Crewe
Daniel’s day was packed with firsts. He took an exclusive tour of Avanti West Coast’s Driver Training Centre, tested his skills on a train simulator, and even sat in the driver’s cab of a Pendolino. The team showed him around Crewe station, including a peek inside the announcer’s office, finishing with plenty of time to soak up the railway atmosphere.
“Daniel seemed right at home and impressed us with his knowledge and eagerness to learn,” said Natalie Whitehouse, Head of Learning and Development at Avanti West Coast.
Daniel’s mum, Elaine, added, “Being given the opportunity to become a rookie train driver was amazing! It’s an experience we’ll never forget. After his time at Avanti West Coast’s driving school, I’m sure he’s destined to be a train driver one day.”
Daniel’s passion for trains has truly captured hearts and inspired many across the UK.
