Dartford and Medway women working as Southeastern train drivers inspire girls to look for careers in rail in new book

A new children’s book celebrating women train drivers is encouraging young girls to consider the traditionally male profession as a career option in a bid to break down stereotypes in the job.

Two mums from Dartford and Rochester are sharing their stories to inspire the next generation of women and girls to add to the 10% of Southeastern's drivers being women.

‘My Mummy is a Train Driver’ is the latest in a series of books which are aiming to challenge gender stereotypes.

It aims to inspire young children to consider a future career in the rail industry and to showcase its welcoming environment.

Sponsored by Southeastern and other train operating companies, the book is a culmination of the personal insights and perspectives of a diverse group of people working in the rail industry.

Told through the eyes of a child, the reader learns what it takes to do the job safely, as well as the fun experiences encountered along the way.

Train driver Jane Fentaman lives in Rochester and is based at the Slade Green depot.

In 2006, she became the first female shunter driver Southeastern had ever recruited. Born in Zambia, the 41-year-old is mum to Tramaine, 14, Alan, 12 and Natalie, aged nine.

Jane said: "Shunting was a very difficult role especially with the rolling stock at that time. So roles like this were perceived as a man’s job. And it required physical work, for example pulling points. I loved the job, even if it just entailed me driving from the sidings to the station or moving the stock around in the yard.

"Soon afterwards, I knew I wanted to become a fully-fledged train driver. I love the responsibility and control. I am a people watcher – I feel a sincere sense of satisfaction when I arrive at the station and I see people coming out of the train after a very long day, knowing I got them home safely to their families.

"My children are quite proud of saying that their mother is a train driver. They like watching their friends’ reactions. But it does show how naturally surprising it is for children, open-minded as they are, to understand that women can be train drivers too.

“There is a lot that must be done to normalise this as a job that can be done competently, no matter what gender you might be. Children’s books can be a powerful way in which to communicate that.

"Having worked in the rail industry for more than 10 years, I’m very aware that there are lots of misconceptions about women train drivers.

"It’s progress to see that women are now in roles like this. However, change should have happened years ago. Women are very capable and it astounds me that it has taken as long as it has to get to where we are today."

Lauren Stowers is also a train driver for Southeastern on routes throughout Kent and London. She lives in Dartford and is mum to Zach, aged seven, four-year-old Stanley, and Hazel, aged two.

The 38-year-old has been a driver for 16 years after working as a dental nurse.

Her children have only ever known her to be a train driver so she said it had never occurred to them that her job might be unusual.

Lauren said: "This is really important to me because it means they’re growing up without a thought of perpetuating the stereotypes I regularly face.

"My children aren’t surprised that their small mum drives a train, or that a woman might be teaching a man to drive a train, and it would never occur to them to think I should instead be cleaning the train.

"The railway is much more diverse than when I first started but gender misconceptions mean that more often than not, if I’m stood with a male colleague, the person approaching us will assume the man is the train driver.

"I don’t let it get me down, I’m confident and experienced and I think that shows in my work. I’m mostly respected as much as a male driver because I give out respect to all staff, no matter their grade."

In the last five years, the number of female train drivers at Southeastern has more than doubled to 10% and with women making up 20% of the company’s 4,600-strong workforce overall.

The book is aimed at primary school aged children and is now available to buy from bookshops and independent publishers.

For more information, visit the Southeastern website.

Steve Foster, director of people at Southeastern, added: “The rail industry in general is considered to be male-dominated so it’s very important that we not only attract women to the company, but also support them to stay and flourish in their roles.

"This allows us to attract and retain the best possible talent. Being involved with ‘My Mummy is a Train Driver’ is a fantastic way to reach young children and influence them before gender stereotypes have set in."