Ten train-mad youngsters become mini conductors for the day

Ten railway-mad youngsters lived out their dreams of being train guards for the day thanks to London Northwestern Railway (LNR).

The children, all aged between six and 11, were invited to climb on board LNR’s brand-new electric fleet to act as ‘Junior Conductors’.

During a journey between Milton Keynes and Crewe, the young guards got to make announcements, check tickets and greet passengers on the busy West Coast Main Line.

The children were selected to represent their hometown stations along LNR's popular Trent Valley route which connects London with destinations in Cheshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire.

The junior conductors were kitted out with everything they needed to fulfil their role, including uniform essentials like high-visibility jackets, ties and cravats, as well as an all-important whistle.

Dhanwin, aged 7, from Nuneaton said: “I was so excited to become a conductor for the day and learn all about the different things you have to do. I checked lots of tickets and even announced my local station stop at Nuneaton – it was amazing. I learnt so much from the conductors and had the best day ever.”

The event follows the rollout of LNR’s new electric train fleet – known as the Class 730/2s – to the Trent Valley route in December 2025. Bringing more capacity and modern amenities, these new trains are significantly longer than the previous fleet and include features like open gangways, smart air conditioning and USB chargers at every seat.