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Railway trip marks 80 years of steam engine Thomas

Katy Prickett
BBC News, Peterborough
Nene Valley Railway A steam engine with a blue engine cap and a black front with a black chimney billowing smoke. It has a painted face and above the face it says Thomas's big adventure. In front of the engine are men women and children, standing on a platform. Nene Valley Railway
The event will mark the 80th anniversary of the publication of the first Thomas book in 1945

A heritage railway charity is celebrating the 80th anniversary of Thomas with a 14-mile "big birthday adventure" train trip.

The famous talking steam engine character was created by the Reverend W Awdry, who wrote the first book in The Railway Series in 1945.

In 1971, he named a steam engine Thomas after his lead character and it has been in service at the Nene Valley Railway, near Peterborough, since 1973.

Chris O'Regan, commercial manager, said: "This is one of the very small numbers of times each year that Thomas runs on the main Nene Valley Railway line."

"It's a one of a kind experience seeing the excitement on the faces of the kids - and actually the parents too, as every adult was a kid at some point and many remember Thomas fondly."

Nene Valley Railway A black and white image showing the Reverend W Awdry standing on a step ladder and leaning towards the body of a steam engine. The engine has a round face which has been painted with smiling features beneath a black steam chimney. Crowds of men and women are gathered around author. Nene Valley Railway
The 1947 engine, belonging to the Nene Valley Railway, was officially named Thomas by the Reverend W Awdry in 1971

In 1946, Mr Awdry became rector at Holy Trinity Church in Elsworth, between Cambridge and Huntingdon, which is where he wrote another 25 books about the engine.

He initially created the character to entertain his three-year-old son Christopher when he was sick with a bout of measles.

Nene Valley Railway A grainy colour photo showing a Hudswell Clarke locomotive running on lines. It has a light blue body and red undercarriage. Two men wearing caps can be seen looking out of its side door. Behind it are three white railway trucks. To its right is a large grey pile of something - possibly cole. Nene Valley Railway
Before its transformation, the little steam locomotive was in use at Peterborough's sugar beet factory

Nene Valley Railway's Thomas was built in 1947 by Hudswell Clarke, and for years it was in service at Peterborough's British Sugar factory, where "the factory workers also called him Thomas", said Mr O'Regan.

The engine usually runs short trips between Wansford and Yarwell stations, which takes about five minutes each way, with a pause for 15 minutes to allow the engine to turn around.

Nene Valley Railway A steam engine with a blue engine cap and a black front with a black chimney billowing smoke. It has a painted face and is resting at a platform. A woman can be seen holding a toddler on the platform. Above is blue sky and trees can be glimpsed beyond. Nene Valley Railway
The Rev Awdry said: "Of all the mechanical contrivances made by man, the steam engine is the most human.. the most extrovert"

The 80th anniversary event is one of four full 14-mile trips this year, running between Peterborough Nene Valley and Wansford.

"We'll be having a bit of party on the platform to mark the big birthday adventure, with a barbecue, entertainment - and a chance to help fill Thomas up with water," said Mr O'Regan.

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