Britain's youngest train driver is just 17

FROM: Metro

DATE: 01/02/2011

AUTHOR: n/a

Alex Clements has celebrated becoming the country’s youngest train driver, at the age of 17.

The miniature steam train in Exbury Gardens in the New Forest that he drives has carried the Queen – and it took him three years of training before he was allowed to take charge on his own.

His passion for trains runs in the family as his father is a rail engineer.

And he hopes to take his skills onto mainline services – but he’ll have to wait until he’s 21 before he can take the test.

‘It’s funny as I can’t even drive a car yet, hopefully I’ll pass that test too,’ said the teenager from Marchwood, Hampshire.

'The Queen visits the gardens every now and again and it’s my ambition to have her aboard my train.

'The oldest driver here is 84, so there is quite a big difference in our ages.'