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Friday 8 Oct 2021

Network Rail and South Western Railway grant five year old Finchley boy’s wish to be a train driver

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

A five-year-old boy had his wish granted by Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) as he got to be a train driver – or as close as a five-year-old can get!

During the summer, Antek Gorczyca left a message on a Wish Tree at London Waterloo station. The trees were created by the station for passengers to share their hopes, dreams and wishes for life after the pandemic at all stations across Network Rail’s Southern region. The message said: “I want to be a train driver”, and station staff swooped into action with their colleagues at SWR.

At the visit last weekend Amtek, from Finchley, north London, was made an honorary member of the team and was given a tour of the platforms, sat in a driver’s cab and was shown how trains work and got to blow a train horn.

During the visit, he was given his own hi-vis vest, as well as a whistle and name badge as a memento of his time spent at the station.

Cem Davis, station manager at London Waterloo who organised the visit, said: “It was brilliant to be able to make Amtek’s wish come true from the many hundreds of wishes that were written on the tree. His visit was particularly timely as this week we’re working with our train partners to focus on how to make the experience even better for our passengers.

“He had so much fun during the visit, and who knows, this might inspire him to pursue a career on the railway.”

Chico Coulibaly, Waterloo regional manager for South Western Railway, said: “It was great to work together with our colleagues at Network Rail to bring a piece of magic to Waterloo and make Amtek’s dream come true. I look forward to one day seeing Amtek driving trains in and out of this busy station.”

Amtek said: “I had so much fun and I learned a lot about the railway. My favourite bit was when I sat in the cab and got to press the train horn. I want to thank Network Rail and South Western Railway for making my wish come true.”