SUFFOLK schoolboy Jamie Boor got the surprise of his life when he went for a trip to London – in the cab of a locomotive.The train-mad six-year-old, who is autistic, spends hours watching trains, travelling on them and visiting rail museums.

By Paul Geater

SUFFOLK schoolboy Jamie Boor got the surprise of his life when he went for a trip to London – in the cab of a locomotive.

The train-mad six-year-old, who is autistic, spends hours watching trains, travelling on them and visiting rail museums.

Recently the family visited the railway museum in York where Jamie was thrilled to see Harry Potter's Hogwarts Express.

Jamie, who lives at Thurston, was offered a ride in the cab of a Class 86 locomotive by Trevor Southgate, Anglia Railways' school liaison officer, who visits the regions' schools to deliver important messages to children about the dangers of trespassing and playing on the track, vandalism and how to be safe around trains.

Mr Southgate was impressed by Jamie's enthusiasm for trains during a recent visit to Thurston Primary School and arranged the very special treat of a cab ride and return travel to London for Jamie and his family.

They travelled from Stowmarket and Jamie rode in the cab from Ipswich. Once they reached their destination, Jamie's father, David, took them for a meal in London and a trip to Hamley's toy store for Jamie and his brother Stuart, 13.

Mr Boor said, "We were delighted when Anglia Railways offered the cab ride to Jamie."

Peter Meades, Anglia Railways' public relations manager, said, "Although we rarely offer cab rides to children, we were happy to offer Jamie the chance to ride in the cab as, with his love of trains, we knew this would be a really special treat for him."

Weblink: www.angliarailways.co.uk