A teenager from County Durham has become the youngest known qualified train driver in the UK after earning his certification to operate a sentinel shunter on the Weardale Railway.

Logan Smallwood, 18, from Lanchester, recently completed his first operational solo shift on the line - a major milestone in a journey that began with childhood fascination and grew into a serious vocational goal.

Logan recently graduated from Newcastle College Rail Academy with a distinction in his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies, gaining credits in mechanical engineering, track infrastructure and signalling systems.

Claire Gibbons, General Manager at Weardale Railway, said: “Logan is an exceptional young man and a first-class volunteer. He’s passionate, focused, and determined to follow his dream of becoming a train driver.

“His story sends a powerful message to young people. That education, hands-on experience and commitment can really open doors. He’s proof that volunteering and vocational learning aren’t just ‘alternatives’, they’re accelerators.”

Logan hopes to go on to gain a mainline licence once the minimum age drops to 18 later this year. His ambition is to work across both heritage and modern networks.

He said: “I’ve wanted to drive trains for as long as I can remember. To now be doing it at 18 is something I’m really proud of. I’ve had brilliant support from my tutors, the team at Weardale Railway, and my family. It’s been hard work but it’s worth it - I’d love to help others find the same path.”

Spanning 18 miles from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate, and operating 16 miles between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope, Weardale Railway is a heritage line that connects communities while celebrating County Durham’s rich railway history.

Rescued from administration by The Auckland Project in 2020, the railway has since benefitted from multi-million-pound investment, including essential repairs and infrastructure improvements. Operational heritage services and events on the Weardale Railway have been revived - including afternoon teas,  gin and cheese trains and the popular Santa Express which returns this Christmas.

As part of its growing visitor offering, Weardale Railway also provides hands-on driver experiences, giving rail enthusiasts the chance to take the controls of its Sentinel Locomotive, a 1993 Daw Mill workhorse, boasting 325 brake horsepower, an 8-cylinder Rolls Royce engine, and a 1,500-tonne hauling capacity. As featured on BBC Two’s Robson Green’s ‘Weekend Escapes’, the experience includes expert instruction, a six-mile round trip through stunning Weardale landscapes, and a commemorative certificate to mark the occasion.

The Weardale Railway is part of The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity transforming Bishop Auckland into a leading visitor destination through its unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, and gardens.

Visitors can explore Auckland Palace, the Spanish Gallery, the Mining Art Gallery and the recently opened Faith Museum, along with its extensive gardens and Deer Park.

For Weardale Railway timetables and tickets, visit: https://weardale-railway.digitickets.co.uk/tickets