Mid-Hants Railway: Thomas The Tank Engine

April 2003

At MHR you can meet Thomas and his friends, the Fat Controller, and the other people you've read about in Rev. Awdry's Thomas books
You can take a ride on Toad, or in the cab of Diesel, visit the footplate of real steam engines and talk with their drivers and firemen
Explore the railway on our big trains as much as you like - but don't miss the exciting Thomas v. Diesel races (several each day)
The Watercress Line steam railway in Hampshire: friendliest steam railway people in UK make every visit a pleasure

Translate/traduzca/Übersetzen Sie/tradurre/traduire

26th April 2003: Mr Wizard took a photo of his audience today. Are you here? Mummies and daddies might be here
25th April 2003: Douglas Photo (Easter 2003): Mr Wizard *Movie:* Douglas with his goods train (914KB, 26Apr 03): Tony Wood
Here's one of the many Japanese families we welcomed to our event Photo (26th April 2003): Tony Wood
25th April 2003: Thomas and the Troublesome Trucks Photo (Easter 2003): Mr Wizard *Movie:* Thomas with his goods train and Toad the brake van (717KB, 26 Apr 03): Tony Wood
25th April 2003: We all enjoy Thomas events in different ways: Gemma and her ice cream Photo (Easter 2003): Mr Wizard
25th April 2003: Diesel and Thomas Photo (Easter 2003): Mr Wizard (children's entertainer) Photo (26th April 2003): Tony Wood
Kohta Satoh's father wrote about his family's visit from Japan
25th April 2003: In a sudden swoop by the forces of Law and Order, Robin Higgs was arrested in front of the assembled crowds at today's Thomas events. Robin is President of the Mid-Hants Railway Preservation Society so we are confident trumped-up charges were involved ... or are we? Photo (25th April 2003): David Charlesworth
24th April 2003: Tyrese from Bisley came today in full Fat Controller attire ...
... to supervise Douglas, who was pretending to be a BIG engine, pulling a BIG train end to end of the line. We couldn't help but notice the Class 33 diesel at the back, Douglas! (Douglas was standing in for the Big Black Engine (#92212) who had had attention to his blowdown valve and was indisposed today, but was lit up at midday ready for tomorrow) Two photos (24th April 2003): Tony Wood *Movie:* Douglas pulls a BIG train (366KB, 24th April 2003)
Movies: Douglas hauls a goods train through Ropley (914KB, 26th April 2003, Tony Wood) Thomas with his goods train and Toad the brake van (717KB, 26th April 2003, Tony Wood) Thomas's eyes really do move! (150KB, 26th April 2003, Tony Wood) Thomas and Diesel (110KB, 24th April 2003, Tony Wood) Douglas pulls a BIG train (with a little help from his friend, a Class 33) (366KB, 24th April 2003, Tony Wood) Toad, Douglas and Thomas (209KB, 24th April 2003, Tony Wood) More movies

From: Simon Ramskill
Subject: Thomas Day Out Easter 2003
Date: Mon, 11 Aug 2003 22:25:27 +0100
A bit late I know - but we had a fantastic day. A special thank-you to the Fat Controller - he made our son (Toby) beam with happiness. His quote was "that was brilliant wasn't it" - which at 2½ seemed a pretty good summary!
Please pass on our belated thanks to the Fat Controller
Many thanks
Simon, Emma, Toby and Imogen
one two

(We're not allowed to show the face of the Fat Controller ... tw)

22nd April 2003: Early in the morning, before the people arrive and train services begin, the P/Way men check and grease the points at Ropley ...
... whilst Henry the Green Engine waits for the token for Alton so he can go to haul the first train of the day from there Moments later he's gone, leaving just a mist of steam and smoke under Bighton Bridge
	Oily Diesel stands at the Ropley Up platform waiting to give rides to early customers (both in his cab and in Toad at the end of his goods train)
	Then the Big Black Engine can come out of the yard to go for the first train from Alresford Lesley sent a pic she took of the loco later the same day Below, mid-morning : Douglas with his goods train, and Daisy the DMU, take a breather at Alresford Photos (all 22nd April 2003): Tony Wood

James Uzzell (4) on his second Easter visit to Thomas The Tank Engine at the Watercress Line Photo: David Nicholls
From: Ian Hollinrake To: Tony Wood Subject: Thomas Events Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2003 00:08:18 +0100 Just a short note to say that your Thomas Events are brilliant Hope these 5 photos are of use (taken 20 April 2003) Ian