THOUSANDS of children celebrated Thomas the Tank Engine’s 65th birthday over the weekend - while simultaneously taking part in GWR’s 175th anniversary.
Ian Surtees, STEAM Museum’s events manager, said the event was part of a series of ‘big-draws’ the venue will be putting on until the end of the year to renew the museum’s successes and to draw in a younger audience.
He said although Thomas, one of the world’s biggest children’s brands, had to compete with the weekend sun the two-day event featured hoards of happy children circling Thomas in temperatures reaching 26°C.
He said: “We know that Reverend Awdry, the creator of Thomas, was a fan of GWR so we found it fitting that they could celebrate their anniversary’s together.
“It is great to have our next generation of visitors here and to get them involved in Swindon’s heritage, because after all they’re our next generation of visitors.
“There would be no Swindon without the rails, it is important to celebrate that.”
Reverend Wilbert Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, lived in the north Wiltshire village of Box.
Thomas will be followed up by a series of other big events at Steam including a Gala Diner on August 21, the railway festival on September 11 and 12 and the big Lego show on October 2 and 3.
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