A train-loving lad from Walsall had a birthday treat going behind the scenes at the signalling hub which keeps the West Midlands railway moving.
Zachary Smith, who celebrates his birthday today (Saturday 8 March), had the time of his life when he visited the Birmingham Rail Operating Centre learning all about how Network Rail signals trains through one of the country's busiest sections of railway. With a fascination for trains and other transport from a very young age, Zach - who has cystic fibrosis and autism - can tell what type of train is passing just by the sound of the engine.
Martin Colmey, operations director for Network Rail Central route, heard about Zach's upcoming birthday and his love for trains, and put on an exciting morning for him which involved jumping in the cab of a Network Rail vehicle at Birmingham New Street and heading over to the rail operating centre in Duddeston to see the heart of Britain's railway operations in full swing. He met some of the team and had a go in a train signalling simulator. This was then followed by a behind the scenes tour of Birmingham New Street station where a birthday Tannoy announcement welcomed him in.
Martin Colmey said: "We heard about Zach's love for trains and had to organise something special for his birthday.
“We hope he's had a great day increasing his already impressive knowledge of trains and look forward to seeing him again in the future. His enthusiasm is wonderful to see, and we really hope today has inspired him to consider a career in rail when he's older."
In a bid to pass on his passion for transport, he documents his travel expeditions and posts videos of his train and bus journeys on his own YouTube channel - Zac, the children's learning guy! Zach's mum, Vickie, said: "We are so grateful to Network Rail for giving Zachy the opportunity to go behind the scenes and expand his knowledge further.
“He has his cystic fibrosis and autism, but we never let this stop him from doing anything he wants to do. He has care plans to manage his health and we teach him, no matter what or how hard things may seem, he can do anything he wants to do in his life and can achieve anything."
2025 is the year of Railway 200 - the 200th anniversary of the birth of the modern railway. Railway 200 helps celebrate the past, present and future of the railway and aims to inspire a new generation of young pioneering talent to choose a career in rail.
There are many Railway 200 events happening across the midlands and beyond.
