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

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 County Durham.

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.”