Emily had an unforgettable experience with East Midlands Railway (EMR) today. She had expressed in her Careers lessons with Miss Hallam how she wanted to become a train driver, so a few phone calls later her dream came true!

Our trip began at Derby Train Station, where we had the amazing opportunity to visit the EMR head office and try out their brand-new train simulator – so new that even the train drivers haven’t used it yet! Emily took the controls with virtually no instructions and quickly got the hang of driving the train.

The experience didn’t stop there! We then traveled in the driver’s cab on a real train all the way to Matlock and back, giving Emily a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be a train driver. At Matlock Station, she even had the chance to sit in the driver’s seat for a special photo!

The EMR team were incredibly welcoming and have even offered to arrange a similar experience for another student in the future. They have also expressed interest in visiting our school to talk about trains and careers in the railway industry – a fantastic opportunity for any train enthusiasts among our students!

A huge thank you to East Midlands Railway and Miss Hallam for such a fantastic day.

Emily’s enthusiasm and confidence throughout the day impressed everyone, including the EMR team, who told us we should be very proud of her.