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Wales Online
Wales Online
National
Rikki Loftus & Elaine Blackburne

'Just talk' says pioneering train driver after tragedy inspired her to take on new mission

Train driver Heather Waugh has made her mark in a male oriented profession as the only female freight train driver in Scotland. She regularly drives a 2,000 tonne load through the UK after taking on the job which many believed to be "dirty and heavy and physically draining".

But while that is still a key part of her life and she is keen to attract more women into the industry, witnessing a tragedy on the railway line sparked a new passion in her. She is now a fervent advocate for better mental health on the railways.

The 45-year-old was already working in the rail industry driving passenger trains in 2014 when she saw someone take their own life. It led her to begin working with the Samaritans.

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