An autistic York man's dream came true when he was given the chance to ride in the cab of a train.

Sunshine Rae: Delight for Rae Johnson after travelling in the front cab on the Northern Spirit service to York. Picture: Frank Dwyer

Rae Johnson, 36, from Acomb, has had a passion for trains since childhood.

The attraction of the railways for him is the timetables and constant rhythmic chug of the trains - which put routine into a life fulfilled only through repetition.

Although Rae is unable to communicate properly, his face was an expression of pure excitement after his train journey on the Northern Spirit train from Harrogate to York. When asked if he enjoyed himself, he quite simply grinned from ear to ear.

Rae's trip was organised by his carer, Christopher Lee, who has been involved on a professional level with Rae for two years, but has known him since childhood. He said: "I spend time with Rae twice a week and we always come down to York station or sit in the car at Poppleton and watch the trains go past.

"We have to sit in exactly the same spot every week. He particularly likes the big trains that are on the way to London. "

A characteristic of autism is routine and repetition, and as part of that Rae always carries a book around with him. Chris said: "Rae has a train book, which he can't go out without.

"Everything for Rae is about habit. He functions around time and routine. So the train system somehow mirrors his lifestyle."

The driver of the Harrogate-to- York train, Trudi Price, said: "Rae seems to have really enjoyed himself."

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