THIS seven-year-old boy is determined to ensure the National Railway Museum in York keeps the fun factor.

Sam Pointon made headlines last year after he applied for the position of museum director when Andrew Scott retired, and was subsequently given the honorary title of Director Of Fun.

Sam returned to the museum yesterday to inspect the range of Easter activities on offer this year.

On his return, he met new director Steve Davies and tried out some of the activities, including riding on board the footplate of the class N7 locomotive and watching the NRM’s new Energy show and a theatre performance by Platform 4 actors in the Great Hall.

He said: “The best thing about Easter is the steam train.

“I loved being next to the driver when it was moving.”

But wasn’t all play for the fun chief. Sam helped staff give out free Thomas The Tank Engine badges and was advising the museum on making his next visit even better, as well as taking suggestions from the public through his page on the NRM’s website www.nrm.org.uk/getinvolved/directoroffun.

Sam said: “Next time I come, I hope that it’s sunny and there are lots of fun things to do outside. It would be fun to have a sand pit and I would like to go on another steam train.”

When applying for the museum director’s job, Sam said he would be perfect for the position as he had been on lots of trains and owned an electric train track, on which he could control two trains at once.

New director Mr Davies thinks he has potential.

He said: “My passion began at his age too, so who knows where his career might go.”