All Aboard for a day out with Thomas

With a Thomas mad toddler in tow we headed to the East Lancashire Railway on bank holiday weekend for a Day out with Thomas and his friends on the East Lancashire Railway.

Sir Topham Hat opened the day on the station platform, with flags fluttering, steam engines hissing and excited children a plenty.  I’m not sure who was more excited about the arrival of Thomas into the station, parents or children. But when he pulled onto platform 4, pulling four carriages and tooting hello, we all cheered very enthusiastically, and I half expected him to give a trademark wink!

Thomas rides ran throughout the day (every 15 minutes) – which took giddy fans a mile up the line and back, with lots of opportunities to wave at signal men and other trains, and to learn a little about the East Lancashire Railway itself. Every child also got a certificate, sticker and lollypop during the trip – which kept everyone happy.

Trains, Daisy and James, ran the usual East Lancashire Railway routes from Rawtenstall to Heywood – and there was unlimited travel for ticket holders, meaning you could quite happily spend all day chugging up and down the line. And how often do you see the name of your train marked on the timetable?

As well as activities (magic & circus shows) at Bury Station and a small shop selling Thomas merchandise, Ramsbottom Station had a Troublesome Trucks show and other family activities.  Percy (or a Percy lookalike) zipped up and down the station and there was lots of photo opportunities to pose beside the various train personalities.

I’d also like to add that all the staff were excellent, well-rehearsed and ran the show like a well-oiled steam engine.

‘Day out with Thomas on the East Lancashire Railway’ will also run on 1-2 August and 3-4 October 2015. See website for more events.