TransPennine Express helped Ernie Skelton celebrate his eighth birthday with a VIP tour of a Class 68 locomotive and a ride in the driver’s cab to York.

Ernie, from Scarborough in North Yorkshire, has always been fascinated with trains, so TPE invited him and his parents Aggie and Paul for a train-themed birthday surprise.

Lead Driver Manager Steve Whitehead presented Ernie with a TPE gift bag, which included a small-sized driver’s uniform. He then gave him a tour of a TPE Nova 3, Ernie’s favourite train. The Nova 3 began operating on TPE in 2018, and is formed of a Class 68 locomotive, four Mk5a coaches, and a Mk5a Driving Trailer Standard Open (DTSO). Class 68 is a mixed traffic diesel-electric locomotive manufactured by Stadler Rail.

The Skelton family then travelled in First Class to York, with an extra surprise for Ernie – riding in the driver’s cab with his dad Paul.  Ernie sounded the loco’s horn as they drove past a whistle board.

Aggie Skelton, Ernest’s mother said: “I cannot thank TransPennine Express enough for making Ernie’s birthday dreams come true.

“It was a genuinely amazing day, from the birthday greeting on the information screens when we arrived at the station, to watching Ernie’s response when he found out he’d be travelling in the driver’s cab.”

Ernie said: “This is the best birthday, ever! “Thanks for showing me around the cab and what all the buttons do in my favourite train, Steve!

“It was so cool when I was allowed to sound the horn! It was so loud!”

Steve Whitehead, Lead Driver Manager for TPE, said: “It was lovely to meet Ernie and his family over the weekend.

“Ernie is such an enthusiastic, polite boy and it’s always great to meet people who could be part of the next railway generation.

“I hope he enjoyed the rest of his birthday and I’m glad we could play a part in his day.”