By David Barrett
Published: 11:30AM BST 22 Aug 2009

Six-year-old Sam Pointon has been given his dream job as a director of a Railway museum. Photo: KIPPA MATTHEWS

Sam Pointon sent a handwritten letter headed "Application for director" asking for an interview at the centre, in York.

The letter listed his credentials for the role, including his expertise on his train set and the fact that he had been on "lots of trains including Eurostar and some trains in France".

"I am only six but I think I can do this job," wrote Sam.

"I have an electrick (sic) train track. I am good on my train track. I can control two trains at once."

Staff were so impressed they appointed Sam an honorary "Director of Fun" and invited him and his family to a VIP day at the museum, which is home to 280 locomotives including the Mallard and the Flying Scotsman.

Sam, from Leicester, said: "It is the best job in the world. I love it. My favourite is the steam engine, I like it when the wheels go round."

His mother Lorraine said: "Like any little boy of his age he is train-mad.

"He thinks now he has got this job he won't have to go to school. We had to tell him he still has to go to school."

Mrs Pointon said the family were on holiday when husband Robin noticed an advert in a newspaper announcing the retirement of museum director Andrew Scott.

"We started teasing Sam saying it would be his dream job," she said.

"When we got back from holiday he started to write a letter and we ended up posting it. The next thing we know we are invited to the museum and Sam is director of fun.

"We were invited back yesterday and had a great day at the museum. It was Sam's third trip there, but I think we might be going again soon."

The retiring director Andrew Scott said Sam's letter of application was a real delight to read.

"It's always fantastic to see such young children with a real passion for trains, just like I had when I was a boy," he said.