The Mayor of Croydon, Councillor Avril Slipper and her husband realised lifelong ambitions when First Capital Connect gave them a ride in a train driver’s cab.

The pair were shown how Thameslink works are going to transform services in the borough.

They travelled to Brighton on a new air-conditioned Electrostar trains, introduced as part of the Thameslink Programme and learned about the rebuilding of London Bridge, Blackfriars and Farringdon as well as the introduction of longer 12-carriage trains to reduce overcrowding.

In Brighton they saw First Capital Connect’s train cleaning and water retanking operation.

Coun Slipper said: “We have always wanted to ride in a driver’s cab and I thought it was absolutely fantastic, it was really exciting. The new trains are really lovely and the extra carriages the Thameslink Programme will introduce will be useful.”

For more information about the Thameslink Programme, see www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk