I confess to some trepidation when we set off on this trip - a three year old, a four year old and two thirty-somethings
Having experienced an overcrowded Day Out With Thomas a few years ago, with one slightly worried two year old, this could have been a trying day for us all.
Nothing could have been further from the truth. We spent a happy day travelling between four stations, hopping on and off the trains, and finding ourselves royally amused at each stage.
There were no crowds, just a pleasant number of happy people out in the sunshine.
The only increase in our blood pressure came from the excitement of talking to the Fat Controller, in person, or from the noise of the hissing, whistling engines.
If the excitement of meeting most of Thomas the Tank Engine's friends is not enough to wear out your children, then the clowns on the stations, the chance to see trains being couple and de-coupled, and weighing yourselves on the baggage scales will help.
And as you draw into Quorn, the ultimate help in expending childish energy comes into view: a funfair of small but exciting rides and entertainments.
The Punch and Judy show (as noisy as a pantomime) is free, as is story telling, conjuring, and children's games. The fairground rides are normal price - so be prepared to pay a little more or strengthen yourself just to say no.
Our £25 ticket (two adults and up to three children) seemed a little pricey at first. But after three hours of complete absorbtion we knew we had got our money's worth. And older children could probably last all day for the same money. A range of other tickets is available.
One small gripe: because we missed one of the two trains with a griddle or a buffet car, come lunchtime we could only find crisps and chocolate in the station refreshment rooms to appease our hungry boys. Perhaps we ought to have been better prepared with a picnic. But I had been hoping for a sandwich on the station platforms.
A Day Out with Thomas is a 10-day event, from 18th to 27th August at the Great Central Railway.
Written by Annie O'Brian
Picture gallery - do you recognise any of your friends? |
Running down the platform at Loughborough to see Percy shunting in the yards.
Ronald the guard clips our tickets.
...of course...Punch and Judy. It must have been the crocodile behind you.
Fun on the slide at Quorn - two bigger friends help Fred down the steep slope.
All the family can come along...