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Carnoustie rail lover Ethan, 5, ready for ‘laser train’ to hit Tayside tonight

Laser train and Ethan.
5-year-old Ethan hopes to spot the 'laser train' in Tayside tonight. Image: Claire Forsyth/Ashleigh Louise

The ‘laser train’ is due to travel through Dundee this evening at speeds of up to 125mph.

This bizarre-looking train is the New Measurement Train (NMT),

The train uses a series of lasers and cameras to find any problems with the tracks.

And it looks very cool while doing it.

Claire Forsyth hopes to see the train tonight when it passes through Carnoustie.

Her 5-year-old son, Ethan, is a passionate train enthusiast.

“He is a huge fan of Francis Bourgeois,” said mum, Claire, “so I’m sure he will love another night chasing the ‘laser train’.”

Ethan reminded mum Claire that is is also known as “the flying banana”, because “it’s a yellow train and very fast.”

The Forsyth family are hoping they will see the ‘laser train’ tonight. Picture shows; Claire Forsyth and sons Ethan and Quinn. Image: Claire Forsyth.

“He has loved [trains] from a very young age. His second birthday was a visit to the Caledonian Railway at Brechin and we have been visiting there ever since.

“His dream job is to be a steam train driver.

“Quinn (Ethan’s younger brother) is 18 months now and is also now showing an interest in trains thanks to his brother and where we live, close to the railway.”

But the train has proved pretty elusive for the Forsyth family so far.

“It comes up and down passed Carnoustie every four weeks or so.

“But every time we have tried to see it he’s either been in bed, or we have just missed it. It’s quite unpredictable.

“So we’re still trying to see it in real life.

“We’ve seen pictures and I think it’d be quite cool to see it like outside at night-time.

“But I don’t know if it’s going to pass us this time. I hope so.”

5-year-old train enthusiast Ethan Forsyth at a train bridge in Carnoustie. Image: Claire Forsyth

In December, the family waited outside for an hour hoping to see the “flying banana” train pass by, but were unlucky.

“Because we’d made our way along there, I didn’t want to leave incase it did come past.

“But eventually we just had to call it,” she said.

In a single year, the NMT travels a huge 115,000 miles.

“The train is super fast, up to 125mph – so we will have to be ready to catch it,” continued Claire, 38.

“Ethan knows it’s going to be coming past today, so we’ll see how we get on.

“Fingers crossed!”

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