Swanage Railway News Gallery Page 188

A day out with Thomas on 27th February 2003

Photo Report from Robin Gould dated 27th Feb 2003
Photographs are copyright Robin Gould. To view a larger version of any photograph on this page, just click on the thumbnail photograph and subsequently use the Back button on your browser to return to this page.

For the latest Swanage Railway Thomas the Tank Engine information, click here

Swanage Railway supporter Robin Gould has sent us these photographs taken on Thursday 27th February, 2003, together with a description of his day out at Thomas The Tank Engine event.

Robin Gould and Tom at the Swanage Railway Thomas event on 27th February 2003 - photo copyright Robin Gould

Robin writes:
Tom (5) and I paid a long overdue visit to Swanage recently, only to discover that a 'Thomas' event was in full swing. Dragging ourselves over the road from our B&B early Thursday morning, we headed for the platform to be greeted by Larry and the Fat Controller who we had all to ourselves for several minutes.

Although there were quite a few people about during the day, it seemed Sir Topham Hatt did indeed manage to be out and about looking after his engines, because everywhere we went, there he was!

The visit to Mrs Kyndley's Tea Room brought a big grin to Tom's face as he was given an enormous surprise present, and the numbers watching the video, from 2 to 82, showed just how popular the Rev Awdry's stories still are. A quick walk to the bus stop (passing several people humming Thomas's song!) gave us the chance to join Bulgy for a short ride back to Norden - giving us views from the top deck over the Isle of Purbeck and Corfe Castle village never before seen.

Rejoining the train for the trip back to Swanage we quickly spotted Diesel and jumped on and off the Brake Vans for several rides before having a short visit onto Thomas's footplate, and then retiring to the shop for essential souvenirs and the start of the long drive home again.

Tom's comment - "brilliant, can we come back next week?" What more can I say, 'Well done Swanage', and many thanks to Larry and several others who took the time to speak to us as people rather than customers. We'll be back in the summer.

Robin Gould & Tom Etherington

All photographs are copyright Robin Gould.