Day Out with Thomas reviewed

The drawl of Ringo Starr set Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends aside from other children’s TV shows for me.

Not only was his voice incredibly distinctive, it was also a huge novelty to hear the drummer from The Beatles, narrating endearing tales on the adventures of a group of trains and road vehicles who live on a fictional Island called Sodor. I was a bit too old to really understand the appeal of the stories but my little brother was transfixed every time those trains puffed their way around the tracks.

Even though Ringo has long puffed out of his station as storyteller, the now abbreviated Thomas and Friends, has certainly not lost its allure. With such a loyal and steadfast fan base, the mischievous steam train and pals now make regular appearances across the UK.

We headed to the East Lancashire Railway at Bury station, to meet him.

The Day Out with Thomas and Friends is a family-friendly event which brings the show to life, with a number of loved characters making their appearance. Heritage railways have certainly benefited from these events, which attract those who might not otherwise visit the railway.

Arriving at around 11am the station was already busy and there were long queues for tickets. We were fortunate enough to have already got ours so bypassed the wait.

On the platform James was handed a sticker and we were given the timetable of events.

We joined a large queue to get a ride on Thomas himself. Spotting a train that had chugged into the platform adjacent to us, my husband suggested we give the queue a miss and go for a trip on it instead.  So we jumped over the bench that separated us from the other platform. 

The train, pulled by one of Thomas’s friends, was heading for Rawtenstall.  We got on half an hour before the train was due to leave.  Sensible parents had brought their own packed lunches, I on the other hand, had not and realised my mistake as soon as we sat in the carriage, as James yelled, “I want food” - school girl error. 

I went on a hunt.  The station had a buffet shop which sold snacks but nothing substantial so I crossed platforms to the bar/restaurant.  It was busy. A large sign said ‘we do takeaway food’ and on asking what kind of takeaway food, was given the answer I wanted to hear, anything from the menu. I ordered a kiddies meal of chicken, chips and beans £3.95, waited for 5 minutes and was handed a carton of food, complete with plastic knife and fork.  A result. The hunter gatherer returned with a sense of victory, and genuine relief.

The train rolled out of the station and chugged through the beautiful countryside (and past a Morrisons at Ramsbottom station).  Many people left the train at Ramsbottom to see the troublesome trucks show but we decided to stay as James was enjoying himself so much.

We passed Irwell Vale and reached Rawthenstall.  After a brief stop of about 20 minutes we started our return.  The whole journey took about an hour and was fantastic with the smell of the steam train, the wooden carriage and the sound of the whistle blowing through the tunnels.  What steam trains lack in speed, they more than make up for in style and atmosphere.

There was plenty of entertainment for the kids at the Bury station including Punch and Judy shows, circus workshops, magic shows, face painting and Thomas film screenings.

Ramsbottom also put on some activities.  There was also a shop cashing in on the event with their Thomas themed merchandise along with a line of disgruntled parents waiting to pay for gifts they’d been bullied into buying.

Once we had returned to Bury, the queue for a trip on Thomas had gone. We jumped on one of his brightly coloured carriages and were taken for a brief ten minute journey up and down the track, waving at the signal man and other characters from the show. We passed a sad looking train which the conductor announced as James, “He’s not feeling very well at the moment,” he said. Too right, his face was missing.  Further down the track, a sinister site; a building housing the missing faces of other ‘sick’ locomotives.

The conductor also handed out a certificate to the kids, notifying their trip on the famous train.

Back at the station, the little one was allowed to pull the whistle on Thomas, much to his delight - deafening everyone on the platform. Despite the queues and the slight chaos at the station, it was good fun.  All the staff were helpful and friendly.  A classic British day out. 

The Day Out with Thomas event is due to make another appearance at Bury on Saturday 6 – Sunday 7 August and Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 October 2011.  For more information visit their website www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk

Tickets:

Adults: £14

Children: £7

Under 3’s are free