George King, of Oamaru, has been waiting to step into the steam locomotive and get behind the controls since he first found his passion for trains at the age of 13.
Mr King joined the Oamaru Steam and Rail Society to find a way to fill in his weekends and he has since fallen madly in love with "all things trains".
He began at the club by sorting out brass screws, but was determined it would lead to something bigger.
When he turned 14 he met the then Kingston Flyer driver, Russell Glendinning, who later certified his licence and in 2009 gave Mr King a shot at driving the locomotive, just before the venture went into receivership.
Now three years on, the train enthusiast has been talent-scouted by Mr Glendinning to help get the wheels turning again.
"It is an honour. I'm just so glad to be a part of it," Mr King said.
As of early this week, the Oamaru man gets a start as the train's driver/fireman - and he couldn't be happier.
"There is something about steam trains that everyone seems to just love. It brings back memories of the past for the older generation and for the new it is something different."
Mr King said train enthusiasts were a rare breed.
"I used to get hassled a bit at school. I got called train boy ... but my mates have been really supportive since."
He was not nervous about recommissioning the train in Kingston tomorrow, having become the youngest Kiwi with a train driver's licence, at just 18.
Mr Glendinning has no doubt that Mr King will pick up where he left off: "He's qualified, experienced, stands out and he's enthusiastic. I always thought he would go further and here is a good start for him."
The ex Waitaki Boys' High School pupil is just delighted his hobby has become a full-time, dream job.
