There is currently a massive recruitment drive taking place across the UK looking to get train drivers operating the iconic railway route seen in the Harry Potter films.
That’s right, for those of you unaware, not only can you ride the ‘Hogwarts Express’ in real life but if you’re already working towards becoming a train driver or have ever been interested in becoming one, you can operate the legendary service as seen in the beloved fantasy series.
As part of ScotRail’s new personnel drive, drivers would be based out of Fort William and would regularly run the West Highland Line — which features the instantly recognisable Glenfinnan Viaduct used in several Harry Potter scenes — as part of their role.
The line itself connects Glasgow with Oban as well as Fort William and Mallaig, taking passengers past some of the UK’s most beloved and scenic landscapes which have featured in various other bits of British films and TV as well, such as Danny Boyle’s Trainspotting.
Credit: WBCredit: West Coast RailwaysYes, you can actually become the Harry Potter train driver — sort of.
In case the pure magic and nostalgia of this role didn’t quite enchant you enough already, wait until you hear how much you’ll get for doing it…
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To become a trainee driver for ScotRail, you’ll be on a very solid £32,968 per annum, with newly qualified drivers being out on an even more handsome £45,828, with further pay increase after your first six and nine months, before eventually taking home a whopping £58,028 a year.
You’ll also get a whole host of benefits on top of that including a healthy pension contribution scheme, reduced travel rates for your family (free for you, of course), a healthy holiday allowance and more.
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That’s it, point us in the direction of Platform Nine and Three-Quarters right now.
You can apply for ScotRail’s trainee drivers scheme HERE and we fully expect you to get the trolley ready for us so we can gorge ourselves on a load of chocolate frogs and Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans.
Police release footage of Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest by hiding under a bed
Emily Sergeant
Police have released unseen footage of a Manchester burglar who tried to evade arrest and justice by hiding under a bed.
David Dale Thompson, of no fixed abode, appeared at Manchester Crown Court last week (18 March) where he was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to four counts of residential burglary at an earlier hearing.
The 43-year-old was caught early last year (15 January 2025) following proactive patrols by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) neighbourhood officers across Rusholme and Moss Side, who were in the area due to a high number of reports of burglaries in the weeks prior.
While on patrol, police spotted Thompson ‘acting suspiciously’ while riding a bike just before 5pm, and once officer subsequently followed him to a property on Boscombe Street, before calling for more officers to attend.
After gaining entry to the address, officers suspected something was wrong when they entered one of the rooms, and after lifting up the bed, they found Thompson hiding in the storage compartment attempting to evade arrest.
GMP has now released footage of the moment Thompson was caught.
Speaking following Thompson’s sentencing last week, Detective Inspector Natalie McDonald, of GMP’s Manchester Central Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was a fantastic example of proactive policing, which has resulted in a serial offender now behind bars.
“We know how devastating a burglary in your own home can be and this shows our commitment to tackling them head on.
“If you have any information or concerns about neighbourhood crime in your area, make sure you speak to us. In the meantime, we have officers on regular patrols in areas that need us the most.”
Featured Image – GMP
News
Popular Manchester comedy festival A Lovely Weekend announces 2026 lineup
Emily Sergeant
A popular comedy festival is returning to our city next month with an impressive lineup of local talent and ‘cult sensations’.
That’s right… some of the UK’s best comedy names are coming to Manchester.
Following the success of events held over the past couple of years, renowned production company, A Lovely Time, has once again put together an absolutely jam-packed lineup of television names, internet sensations, hotly-tipped newcomers, and even critically-acclaimed comedians for a weekend full of comedy shows in the heart of the city centre.
Taking place, once again, at Fairfield Social Club, the weekend-long festival, aptly called A Lovely Weekend, will kick off on Friday 29 May.
You can expect three full days of laughter at the hands of an expertly-curated lineup.
Audiences will get to watch Last One Laughing favourite Harriet Kemsley, viral internet sensation and stand-up Tom Lawrinson, and the return of Mark Silcox from BBC’s Man Like Mobeen on the Saturday, as well as the first-ever live show of Sean McLoughlin’s popular podcast, The Sean McTalk Show.
He will be joined by stand-up comic Josh Pugh, newly announced SNL UK cast member Larry Dean, and French comedian and writer Celya AB on the Sunday, all making for a ‘truly unmissable’ weekend of comedy.
Speaking ahead of the festival’s return, A Lovely Weekend producer John Stansfield said: “With around 20 shows over the course of three days, we can’t wait to pack out Fairfield Social Club with comedy fans for a heck of a lovely time and speaking personally, my favourite weekend of the year.”
The 2026 festival is supported by Found – Fairfield Social Club’s commercial operator – and alcohol free brewery, BRULO.
A Lovely Weekend will take over Fairfield Social Club from Friday 29 – Sunday 31 May, and tickets are on sale now – with tickets to individual shows, and specific day and weekend-long passes all available to get your hands on.
Danny Jones -
10th November 2023 
