Day out with Thomas the Tank Engine

[stamford]

Just wanted to let everyone know what a fantastic day out we had with Thomas at the Watercress Line in Hampshire. This was the first time we had been to see Thomas and both my kids (girl 3 and boy 2) were completely overexcited when they saw the real life size steam engines on the track - in fact, so much so that ds wet himself straight away . Thomas, Douglas, Percy, Daisy, Diesel, Toad (the brake van I think) and James (though not working, in the yard) were there and we went on rides with Thomas pulling Toad, in Diesel's cab and up and down the Watercress Line with Douglas pulling the old slam door South West Train stock! There was plenty to do at all the stations - Thomas videos , a magician, a bouncy slide and all in all, I thought good value for money. The whole day was around £35 with free parking and you could do what you wanted all day. We arrived at 10 and left at 3 because by then the kids were so tired they could hardly stand.

Even though I thought we had good days out this holiday (West Wittering on Friday was idllyic with no queues at all and not a cloud in the sky), when I ask the kids what their favourite was they are in no doubt that it was Thomas!

this is spooky! I just came on here tonight to add a message asking if anyone knew about a Thomas railway in Hampshire (as I'd chatted to a lady at Legoland today who recommended it) and the first message I see is yours Stamford.

Do you by any chance have a telephone number for them or a website address?

watercressline

hope that works....

Watercress Line , mckenzie!

snap, stamford!

Also Preserved Railways, S England .

We went on a Day out with Thomas over Easter weekend and it was Fantastic - we went to the east anglian railway museum
Had rides on the real Thomas, Daisy, Percy and Toby.
Ds is still in seventh heaven.

Didn't know there were that many preserved railways in England let alone the SEast!

What really made our day were the volunteers who ran the whole thing (no-one had a paid job). They were all old retired railway types who were so enthusiastic and full of patience for the kids (much more so than I am)! It can make doing things a little slow - it took me around 20 mins to buy a little Thomas flag as the little old dear behind the till couldn't understand the till roll - but if you can wear your patience hat, be prepared for it to be outrageously busy (get there early) then it is fantastic fun.

There are other railways where Thomas goes - I'm not sure if they are as comprehensive as the Watercress line one though.

thanks everyone. I'm excited myself, just imagine how excited DS is going to be!

We went the one at gwili railway over easter with our 16 month old and thought it was fantastic, couldn't fault a thing. so much fun.

!!

The Watercress Line (see link below) has another run of Thomas Days from Sat 7th Aug to Sun 15th Aug. We went last year and it was fab, our favourite of all the Thomas days at the various preserved lines we have been to.

We've seen Thomas at Llangollon in Wales & Bodmin. Rides & prices seem to vary between locations - but a sure fire hit with the kids !!

We've seen Thomas at Langollen and the Severn Valley, and the DSs were beside themselves with excitement. Then again, it would have been strange if they didn't like steam engines, as I'm quite embarrassingly passionate about them, having spent most of my childhood being dragged round preserved railways and draughty engine sheds by my dad. My dad tells my DSs all about the real engines, not just the Thomas specials, and they're rapt.
Ds1 even asked me to send money to the Save The Flying Scotsman Appeal a few months back, so I had to post a fiver - it appears he's been as brainwashed as me!

pretty sure they have done Thomas days at the East Lancs Railway in Bury (for us northerners)