Local News
Northern Rail's Pacer Treat for Australian Boy
Eamonn Johns, a four year old boy from Melbourne, was given a special Christmas treat today, when Northern Rail arranged for him to ride in the cab of his favourite train – the famous Pacer!
Eamonn is visiting his Gran, Maureen Rigg, in Eaglescliffe and has become extremely fond of the ‘bus trains’ as he calls them, which regularly operate on the line between Darlington and Saltburn. Mrs Rigg reached out to Northern to see if he could get a ride in the front while he is here on holiday. Along with his Gran, the Pacer fan was joined by mum Kirsty and three month old brother Dara.
Mrs Rigg comments: “He is absolutely intrigued by the Pacers and couldn’t wait to take a ride on one. This was so much fun for him and when Northern agreed to allow him up front with the driver he was speechless with excitement!”
The Johns family are staying with Mrs Rigg and her husband Denis on a six-week holiday from Australia with Dad, Peter arriving tomorrow exactly nine years to the day he and wife, Kirsty, emigrated for a life ‘Down Under’.
Paul Graham, Driver Team Manager for Northern, commented: “We wanted to make Eamonn’s Christmas trip as special as possible, so as well as the ride in the driver’s cab, we also gave him a Hornby model of the Pacer he loves so much to take back to Australia with him. It really was a pleasure to see him so delighted and great to be able to give something back.”
