'I have the best office window going'

A former factory worker who ditched her old job to become a train driver said she wished she had done it sooner.

Sarah Hardstaff, from Alfreton, Derbyshire, has been driving for East Midlands Railway for the past 10 years.

She told the BBC: "I've got the best office window going... I really like going fast."

Ms Hardstaff was part of a service staffed entirely by women to celebrate International Women's Day.

The service, which ran from Derby to Sheffield and then from Sheffield to London St Pancras, was operated by driver Sara Hardstaff, train manager Sally Ashforth, and customer host Maria Alton.

They were accompanied by women representatives from EMR’s Women’s Employee Network, which is a staff group dedicated to female employees in the rail industry.

As part of the service, the staff distributed International Women's Day cupcakes, and gave younger customers a free toy.

Ms Hardstaff said opinions on female train drivers had changed.

"When I first started it was quite a rarity and you did get some strange looks pulling into stations, whereas now I think its a bit more commonplace," she said.

She said she had the idea to join the railways after a former colleague, who became a freight driver, told her how "fabulous" it was.

"I've got the best office window going," she added.

"I can see the nights drawing in and drawing out before anyone else, I see some beautiful sunrises, some wonderful wildlife and some lovely countryside and I meet some wonderful people - I really like going fast."

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.