Even as a baby, Hunter Bristow loved trains. "We call him the train master," said his grandma Donna Frias.

In early March, Hunter got to experience the ride of a lifetime when Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley arranged for the 10-year-old from Lititz to spend the day as a train engineer with Amtrak.

Hunter was born with osteochondrodysplasia, a rare hereditary bone and cartilage condition. After a surgical mistake three years ago, he was paralyzed and now uses a wheelchair to get around. Although he was eligible for his wish in 2019, he had to wait a few years due to the pandemic. When the big day finally arrived, Hunter was all smiles as he got ready to board the train at the Lancaster Amtrak station.

"Ever since he's been a little kid, we've been buying him toy trains and taking him on train rides," noted Hunter's father, Daniel Bristow. "He probably has thousands and thousands of trains at home. He's always looking for new ones and different ones."

Hunter's love of trains might come from his grandfather Herland Frias, who is a retired Amtrak worker. "From day one, Hunter got into trains," Herland noted. "He's taken train rides all over the place - to Chicago, to Boston."

Cara Feldman, vice president of development for Make-A-Wish, explained that Hunter's wish included the opportunity to punch tickets on the train and blow the train whistle as the train traveled from Lancaster to Philadelphia, where Hunter and his family, including his father; his mother, Shannon; and his 5-year-old brother, Brooks, took a train to Newark, Del. In Delaware, the family enjoyed a private tour of the Amtrak training center, including the opportunity to experience a ride simulator.

Make-A-Wish grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Since 1986, Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley has granted more than 7,500 wishes for local children.

At his send-off, Hunter was greeted by many of his classmates from his fourth-grade class at Lititz Elementary School, who surprised their friend with posters and well wishes.

"Hunter is a big part of our classroom," said classmate Hadley Reed. "We're really happy to be here for him."

Herland noted that seeing his grandson's wish granted was very touching. "This is such a special day for us," he said. "It's very emotional. We hope this will lift up his spirits, because he's been through a lot."