Dream comes true for train fan

IT was full steam ahead for train fans after the enthusiasm of an autistic boy from Oldham inspired a memorable day.

Luke Bowman (11), from Lees, has ambitions to be a train driver and attended an open day at Siemens train maintenance facility in Ardwick, Manchester, last year.

Bosses were so touched by his enthusiasm that they organised a whistle-stop, behind-the-scenes tour around the state-of-the-art facility for more than 100 members of the National Autistic Society (NAS) as well as other children and families living with autism.

As part of the Manchester Science Festival, they saw trains on jacks ready for cleaning, tried out an exciting on-site train simulator and sat in a real train cab.

The facility is home to the 51-strong fleet of Class 185 diesel Desiro trains.

Mark Lever, chief executive of the NAS, said: “Luke is interested all types of public transport and wants to be a train driver when he grows up.

“Luke attended the last open day at Ardwick depot 2009.

“He enjoyed it so much that Siemens decided to invite other young people living with autism to Ardwick depot in 2010.

“Thanks to Luke’s enthusiasm on his last visit to the depot, children from across the country enjoyed an unforgettable day.

“There are over half a million people in the UK with autism — that’s around one in 100.

“If you include their families and carers, autism touches the lives of over two million people every day.

“The railways are of great interest to many people living with autism, so we are delighted that people were given this rare opportunity for a ‘behind the scenes’ tour of a real train care depot.”

Pete Redding, fleet manager for the Siemens trains based at Ardwick, said: “Siemens and First TransPennine Express were delighted to team up with the NAS to host an open day for children and families living with autism.

“We were very impressed by the level of knowledge shown by many of our visitors.

“The day was a great success — children, parents, carers all went home very happy.”