Teen, 18, becomes Britain’s youngest train driver and is bidding to earn £60,000

Published on September 09, 2025 at 10:28 PM
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A TEENAGER is on track for a dream career after becoming Britain’s youngest train driver.

Logan Smallwood, 18, drives old-fashioned Sentinel shunter trains along Weardale Railway in .

The role is voluntary, but he aims to become a mainline driver — where salaries can top £60,000.

Logan, of Lanchester, Co Durham, said: “I’ve wanted to be a driver for as long as I can remember and I’m loving it.

“When I was tiny I’d watch Thomas the Tank Engine and that got me started.

“I started out as a ticket inspector and I worked up.”

The 18-mile Weardale line lets passengers enjoy local history.

The railway manager Claire Gibbons said: “Logan is an exceptional young man and a first-class volunteer.

“He’s passionate, focused, and determined to follow his dream of becoming a train driver.

“His story sends a powerful message to young people.

“Education, hands-on experience, and commitment can really open doors.

“He’s proof that volunteering and vocational learning aren’t just alternatives, they’re accelerators.”

Most glamourous train carriage in the world revealed with disco balls, library and private tearoom
Logan Smallwood, the country's youngest train driver, stands by a train.Logan Smallwood, 18, drives old-fashioned Sentinel shunter trains along Weardale Railway in County Durham

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