Liam Mackenzie, a 27-year-old train driver at Southern Railway, began his career at 18, waiting for a new regulation that lowered the minimum age for driver training. His journey included starting as a platform conductor and subsequently completing rigorous training, which involved a six-month training school, practical driving experience, and theoretical knowledge. Liam advocates the change in age requirements as he believes that maturity and competence can be demonstrated regardless of age, noting other industries allow young adults to drive and operate vehicles from 18.
"Since I was young I always wanted to do this. My dad worked on the railway, his dad worked on the railway, and my brother did for a small time too, so this has always been in the forefront of my mind."
"You have to go and learn your routes - tunnel names, signalling areas - you name it, you have to know it."
"If you pass all the assessments you are showing you've got the mental strength and the concentration and all the traits you need to do it - so the age just becomes a number."
"In other industries you can start at 18 - like bus driving. You can drive a car at 18."
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