A Greater Anglia train driver is going the extra mile by directing – and starring in – a production of the great British classic – The Railway Children.

Oliver Fosker, who lives in Woodbridge, started with the Ipswich depot almost 20 years ago as a conductor, moved to driving trains in 2011 and is the “See it, Say it, Sorted” voice that is well-known to travellers across the region.

But his love of trains is now being combined with his passion for theatre as he swaps his driving seat for a director's chair to oversee a cast from the Company of Four with a performance of the much-loved story from Edith Nesbit, adapted for stage by Mike Kenny.

The cast of the Railway Children visited the Middy.The cast of the Railway Children visited the Middy. (Image: Company of Four)

He said: “It’s the dream play for me really. It’s a beautiful story that has been adapted for the stage but remains faithful in essence to the original novel.

“It was one of my favourite stories as a boy and I am just over the moon to be directing this production. The cast are phenomenal, the costumes are superb and my connections on the railways have allowed me to add real depth to the staging.”

Oliver, 41, who plays Father and Mr Szezcpanskey in the production as well as directing it, has performed with the Company of Four since he was just six years old as part of a concert performance in 1989.

The Railway Children is coming to Woodbridge.The Railway Children is coming to Woodbridge. (Image: Company of Four)

The Railway Children tells the story of siblings Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis as they adapt to a new life in the country after their father mysteriously disappears. 

The story has been adapted for the screen six times to date, including the 1970 classic starring Jenny Agutter.

Samuel, Sheree and Chloe at the Middy.Samuel, Sheree and Chloe at the Middy. (Image: Company of Four)

The cast of the Company of Four production of The Railway children includes Sheree Driver as Bobbie, Chloe Mortonson as Phyllis and Samuel Earthroll as Peter.

The entire cast took a day off to visit the Mid Suffolk Light Railway to get some great pictures while the trains were not running.

The production runs from Thursday October 24 to Saturday 26 at the Seckford Theatre, Woodbridge.