TEENAGER Daniel Gallagher’s curiosity to find out how things work began when he was just two years old.

His parents treated him to a ride on a train roundabout – but instead of waving back, the toddler was only interested in the cogs and wheels of the machine.

Daniel’s passion for all things technical continued unabated – and this week, at the tender age of just 15, he has finished constructing a working model train.

The electric train, which he has christened Lickle Gem, runs on a five-inch gauge and will pull a carriage of tourists around the model-makers’ pond at Highfields.

Daniel, of Longcroft, Almondbury, is a pupil at Hipperholme Grammar School where his is currently studying for his GCSEs, which include physics, chemistry, biology and resistant materials as part of design and technology.

His ambition is to study engineering at the University of Huddersfield and become an engineer.

He said: “I’ve always been interested in planes and trains and how things work, and engineering is my pride and joy. The train is a real gem.

“I have put in a lot of hours, but I would like to thank my mentor, Michael Day, who is president of Huddersfield Society of Model Engineers, for all his support.”

Daniel, a member of Huddersfield 59 Squadron Air Cadets, is following in the footsteps of his grandfather Anthony Atkinson, 75, of Skelmanthorpe. Anthony built an auto gyro (a helicopter-type aircraft powered by a rotor), which he actually flew, and a wing ding (a type of biplane).

After gaining practical experience helping his grandad, Daniel contacted the organisers of the miniature railway in Greenhead Park last year and volunteered to help as part of his Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award scheme.

He successfully completed that test and this year went on to take his silver award.

Daniel has dedicated six hours a day every Saturday and Sunday, weather permitting, and a further two days in the summer holidays to help at Greenhead Park and Highfields.

During that time he also helped to build a petrol hydraulic locomotive and a steam engine.

His mother Tracey said: “Daniel is very dedicated, he has given up a lot of his time. We are very proud of him and especially his train which will be used at Highfields.”