First class fun

A railway enthusiast, he wrote a series of books about the adventures of an engine shed full of steam locomotives. But these weren’t just any trains – they each had names and, surreally, faces.

One of them, which he described as a “cheeky little engine” whose job was to shunt trucks and coaches for the bigger engines, proved to be particularly enduring.

The clergyman was the Rev WV Awdry, and his endearing creation was named Thomas the Tank Engine.

But, after publishing his first Thomas tale in 1946, the Rev could hardly have imagined the global icon his best-known creation was to become, decades later.

Now, of course, that ubiquitous tank engine’s cheery profile graces everything from slippers and duvets to caps and lunch boxes – not to mention a highly lucrative series of toys, books, DVDs, comics and a daily cult TV series.

And now, kids, he has his own theme park! Oh yes!

Opened last year as part of Drayton Manor park, in Staffordshire, Thomas Land is the destination for devotees of Edward, Gordon, Percy et al.

Packed into three acres – between the Manor’s terrifying roller coasters and log flumes, and its lovely zoo – this ‘park within a park’ is a Thomas-lovers’ nirvana.

Among its charming, and beautifully designed, reconstructions of such literary landmarks as Knapford Station and Tidmouth Sheds, are about a dozen rides and attractions, each based on a popular character.

So we have Cranky’s Drop Tower (a gravity-defying mini plummet down the sides of the miserable looking crane), Rockin’ Bulstrode (a swinging, revolving mischievous-looking barge), Diesel’s Locomotion Mayhem (a waltzer style ride in which you sit in replica’s of Mavis, Rusty and the other diesel engines), Troublesome Trucks Roller Coaster (a breakneck whiz in a runaway train; the scariest of the bunch), and the Crazy Bertie Bus (in which you are inexplicably whisked high into the air inside a vintage bus).

Then there are Terence’s Driving School (Terence being a bulldozer), Jeremy’s Flying School (Jeremy, of course, is a jet) and Harold’s Heli-Tours (Harold, naturally, being a chopper).

And here’s the good bit. While the rides are built for your nippers, they are not nearly as lame as you might imagine.

The diesels were relatively mild, maybe, but – and call me feeble - Bulstrode was genuinely exciting, even for an adult – and borderline white-knuckle for my six year-old.

The Troublesome Trucks, meanwhile, looked terrifying, and would not have been out of place in the main part of the theme park.

The highlight, though, was the trip through the grounds on the eponymous tank engine, or one of his comrades, Percy, James or Rosie). Again, the station was immaculately, and lovingly faithful to the spirit of Awdry’s books, and built with painstaking attention to detail.

The scenic 600m ride delivers you to a wooded halt beside the petting zoo, and an old fashioned adventure playground, called Spencer’s Outdoor Play Area – on account of it being based around a wooden version of the Mallard-look-alike of the books.

Low-key and low-tech, this predictably proved to be the favourite part of the whole park! Oh well!

And for fans of the TV show, this corner of the park holds a genuine gem of an attraction – though one which seems to have escaped the notice of the crowds queuing up for the rides.

For, in a shed, tucked behind small enclosures holding rabbits and guinea pigs, is a piece of television history – the actual models and layout used to create the Thomas and Friends shows, famously voiced by ex-Beatle Ringo Starr.

They’re all there – Gordon, Trevor, Emily, Edward, scattered among the hills and vales of the Island of Sodor. It is a true delight.

While Thomas Land is part and parcel of the vast Drayton Manor – and your ticket entitles you to try out any of the rides – including the terrifying looking Maelstrom and Shockwave (the names say it all!) – there is enough to keep you and your young engineers busy in this section alone… though, you simply have to ride the park’s Great Western-style train around the lakes just to get an impression of the scale of this fantastic park – which is up there with fellow Staffordshire theme park Alton Towers, as the best in the country.

If you harbour a chink of nostalgia for those chirpy trains, you’ll love it. And if you can’t stand the sight of those goggle-eyed locos, well, beware: I guarantee you’ll come away loving them!

The Rev Awdry would be proud!

* Thomas Land is at Drayton Manor, near Tamworth, Staffs – an easy day trip, up the M40/ M42.

It is open from March 21 to November 1 (check website for occasional closure dates in September and October) Gates open at 9.30am, and the rides run until 6pm. Adult tickets (12+) are £25, and children (four-11) are £21. Under fours get in for free. Bargain-priced family tickets are available.

Go to draytonmanor.co.uk for details.