Meet Liam Mackenzie, a 27-year-old train driver at Southern Railway, a position he’s held since he turned 18. However, this wasn’t always his dream role, as drivers previously needed to be at least 20 before they could start their training. Thankfully, this is beginning to change, allowing individuals to commence their training at 18.

“I’ve wanted to pursue this career since I was a child. My father worked on the railway, my grandfather did too, and even my brother had a brief stint, so the railway has always been a significant part of my life,” Liam explained.

Liam initiated his career in the railway sector as a platform conductor, patiently waiting until he met the age requirement to embark on the rigorous training needed to become a train driver.

Upon reaching the right age, his training was set to begin, starting with six months at a training school and a series of monthly exams. Following this, he was assigned to a depot where he completed 225 hours of driving under the guidance of an instructor—40 of which were required to be at night.

“The practical training was paired with a demanding theoretical study program,” Liam noted. “You need to familiarize yourself with all your routes—the names of tunnels, signaling zones – it’s all essential knowledge.”

He described the culmination of this journey as a week-long evaluation by a competency assessor. “This final exam covers everything you’ve learned. You really have to demonstrate your skills to prove you’re ready to drive on your own.”

Regarding the decision to lower the age for new drivers, Liam remarked, “I see it as a positive development. If someone can pass the assessments, it indicates they possess the mental fortitude and focus necessary for the job—the age is really just a detail.”

Liam pointed out that in other fields, such as bus driving, individuals can start their careers at 18, and the same goes for driving a car.

The rail industry is currently facing the challenge of replacing an increasing number of retiring drivers. According to the Department for Transport (DfT), the average age of train drivers in the UK is 48, with 30% expected to retire by 2029, creating an urgent need for new drivers. Allowing 18 and 19-year-olds into the workforce “opens up thousands of job opportunities,” the government stated.

Mick Whelan, the general secretary of the train drivers’ union Aslef, highlighted that the industry has previously overlooked young people eager to become train drivers, as they often don’t wait until 20 to pursue a career.

Research from the Rail Safety and Standards Board has indicated that 18-year-olds are indeed capable of operating trains safely.

Reflecting on his own path to becoming a train driver, Liam shared, “I would have jumped at the chance to drive trains at 18. The opportunity to do so would have been a dream come true for me.”

“For me, this is an exceptional career. I don’t mind the early mornings and late nights; it allows me more control over my life. I genuinely love what I do.”

While demonstrating the controls of a Southern Railway train, Liam expressed his pride in safely transporting passengers to their destinations—preferably on time!