A 12-year-old railway enthusiast has been given the rare opportunity to ride in the cab of an LNER Azuma as part of the Railway 200 celebrations.
Joseph Strek secured the experience after winning the “Design the Train of the Future” art competition, run by LNER in partnership with the National Railway Museum (NRM). His imaginative design, The Green Rocket, impressed judges with its mix of futuristic turbine power, solar panels, braille wayfinding, and a livery inspired by historic locomotives such as Stephenson’s Rocket.
As his prize, Joseph travelled in the cab of an Azuma between Leeds and Doncaster, enjoying panoramic views of the East Coast Main Line alongside the driver.
The day didn’t end there. Joseph also visited the LNER Simulator Academy in Leeds, where he sampled the same high-tech simulators used to train drivers. He spoke with railway staff about the realities of driving on the ECML and received First Class family tickets to enjoy more memorable journeys in the future.
Reflecting on his special day, Joseph said:
“It was a fantastic experience to learn more about what it is like to be a train driver. From riding in the cab to trying the simulator, it’s a day I’ll never forget. The simulator showed me just how much responsibility comes with driving a train – it was more challenging than I expected! The team’s passion has inspired me to follow my dream of becoming a driver.”
The event formed part of the wider Railway 200 programme, marking two centuries since the dawn of the modern railway, with activities designed to celebrate innovation, heritage, and the next generation of rail professionals.
