'Thomas' is visiting MOSI (the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester) for four days from Thursday 30th August 2012 to Sunday 2nd September 2012. Visitors can meet Sir Topham Hatt (the Fat Controller), visit the Imagination Station (storytelling, colouring pages and tabletop toys), watch 'Thomas' DVDs, have a free 'Thomas' sticker, facepainting and temporary tatoos, attend balloon modelling shows and have a go on the 'Thomas' Bouncy Castle. But, of course, the highlight is a ride behind the real 'Thomas'.
Jan was Thomas's driver on the afternoon of the first day and I'm pleased to report that Thomas behaved very well. So well, in fact, that Sir Topham Hatt presented Thomas with a celebratory 'Coal Cake' at a ceremony by the 1830 Station Building. 'Planet' (with a face) was in the yard in light steam and visitors could actually go on the footplate. The other locomotives parked outside also sported faces.
Of course, 'Thomas' is quite a celebrity, so a reporter from the Manchester Evening News arrived to take pictures on Thursday afternoon.
There are more pictures of Thomas's visit here.
For more technical pictures of this locomotive, goto Anatomy of a 'Jinty'.
