Thomas the Tank Engine

Easter 2004 Events

At MHR you can meet Thomas, Diesel, James, Douglas, Diesel 199, Toad, the Troublesome Trucks, the Dragon, The Fat Controller, Mrs Kyndley, the Vicar, the Policeman, and lots more

Pictures and movies from the Easter 2005 Event

17th April 2004:

Mum helps kids down from the buffer-beam after photos

Photo (Ropley, 17th April 2004): Tony Wood

Bodmin takes water at Ropley (Movie, 1.6MB, 17th April 2004): Tony Wood

Douglas wins a race with Thomas (Movie, 1.2MB, 17th April 2004): Tony Wood

From: Carolyne Drummie
Sent: 19 April 2004 15:53
To: tonywood@watercressline.co.uk
Subject: Thomas the Tank Engine
Dear all
We came to your Thomas Day on the 17th April, and what a fantastic time we had. Both our Children, (Oakley 3yrs and Willow 1 3/4) are avid fans and were delighted, the looks on their faces were absolutely magic. We often come for a Train ride at the weekends and the stations are always well maintained and clean and a real credit to you all.
We would like to say a big thank you for all the time and effort that was made by all the volunteers in helping make the day a truly wonderful experience and we can honestly say it was one of the best days out we have had as a family and very reasonable too.
Well done and look forward to the next day out with Thomas.
Kind regards
Carolyne, David, Oakley & Willow Drummie
p.s. Oakley would like to know when his favourite James will be running, as he was quite upset that he was being repaired in the engine shed, thanks

Hello Oakley
We have sent away a boiler to be repaired for James, but this is a big job, so you may have another birthday before it's finished. James says he's fed up with being red, and wants to be black like some of his other engine friends. He says: 'Black is beautiful', so we may give him his wish. ... tw

MHR Thomas the Tank Engine Page

Douglas hauls his train of Troublesome Trucks into Ropley

Photo (Ropley, 17th April 2004): Ken Grinstead

Zak and his friends had a birthday party today at our event, with a Thomas birthday cake. He's four now

Photo (Ropley, 17th April 2004): Mr Wizard

16th April 2004: Bertha the Bunny and Mr Wizard met everyone

Photo (Ropley, 16th April 2004): Tony Wood

The bouncy slide was a popular attraction between races (Movie, 399KB, 16th April 2004): Tony Wood

Diesel is unpopular with Toad's passengers today! (Movie, 408KB, 16th April 2004): Tony Wood

15th April 2004: Before our visitors arrive, the station at Ropley is carefully swept by our volunteers MHR Thomas the Tank Engine Page
T-Junction opens for tea, coffee, and snacks
Douglas and Thomas greet their friends
	By afternoon the Fat Controller is very busy He's already organised lots of races between Thomas and Diesel, and between Thomas and Douglas, and sorted out a 'breakdown' when Thomas had to rescue Douglas and his train of Troublesome Trucks. Here he presents the trophy to the driver after Thomas won a series of races with Diesel ...
... but still finds time to welcome in person to his railway a family who came specially from San Francisco in California, USA, for this event, after finding our website Five photos (15th April 2004): Tony Wood
15th April 2004: Lots of visitors take a ride on Toad during the day. Some even squeeze into Diesel's cab and take a trip to Bighton Bridge and back. Photos (15th April 2004): Brian Simmons

15th April 2004:

Douglas starts his day (Movie, 1.7MB, 15th April 2004): Tony Wood

Thomas sees Bodmin arrive with a big train (Movie, 754KB, 15th April 2004): Tony Wood

12th April 2004:

Jim was the Guard on Toad when he got these views of Douglas

Photo (9th April 2004): Jim Doel

12th April 2004:

Rare glimpse of the Easter Bunny from the footplate of the Ivatt near Wanders Curve (Movie, 336KB, 11th April 2004: Tony Wood)

Daisy and friends arrive at Medstead & Four Marks from Alton (Movie, 1.5MB, 11th April 2004: Tony Wood)

The Fat Controller's main man, Paul Hawley, supervising train movements at Ropley #2 signal box (Movie, 808KB, 11th April 2004: Tony Wood)

Douglas approaches M4M from Ropley (seen from d/hd-Ivatt, Movie, 2.1MB, 11th April 2004, Tony Wood)

More movies of Thomas at the Watercress Line

11th April 2004:

Sir Lancelot is a friend of George (but he's a happier steam roller who really likes railways)

Two photos at Alresford (11th April 2004): Ken Grinstead

From: Stephen Brind
Sent: 15 April 2004 13:00
Subject: EASTER SUNDAY AT ROPLEY
Hi there Tony
Just wanted to say what a fab time the family had at the recent event in Ropley.
It was very well put together with plenty to see and do. The weather was great so made the most of the sunshine.
Once again many thanks to all involved and see you again next year.
Best Regards
Steve, Jenny, Chloe and Michael Brind;
Mick and Chris Watson
From Sandhurst

10th April 2004:

Start of a race between Thomas and Diesel

Photo (10th April 2004): Mike Pearson

A race starts between Diesel and Thomas, and Diesel won!

(Movie, 610KB, 16th April 2004): Tony Wood

9th April 2004: Here we are at Alresford!
	Bulgy at Alresford
Daisy looks very coy today as she passes Bodmin
	Even Mummies and Daddies visit James's footplate
Thomas tries to race Henry to the bridge
	Thomas and Diesel have a race Six photos (all 9th April 2004): David Snow

A SPECIAL DAY
by Patricia Rocke (May 2004)

We went to see Thomas on a sunny day,
We drove through the countryside and
Saw rabbits, lambs and sheep on the way.

Daisy was at the station waiting for us.
Such a pretty train, a real lady - no fuss,
She had huge long eyelashes and beautiful eyes.
The train left the platform
Once the Station Master said his goodbyes.

We arrived at Ropley, there was lots to see.
With so many steam engines, it was THE place to be.
Thomas was there, shining and new,
His big eyes smiled out from his metal work of blue.
The driver let Barny climb up and see,
The coal, the hot fires ( it was just him and me).

Dirty Diesel was there. He and Thomas had races.
He certainly put young Thomas through his paces.
The crowds cheered for them as they raced up the line,
And Thomas beat Diesel most of the time

More journeys by steam we wanted to make,
But so many trains, which one should we take?
Big black Douglas took us up the line,
We travelled first class and felt just fine.

Then back to Ropley, and guess who was there?
The happy Fat Controller in his very smart wear.
His yellow waistcoat and watch gleamed in the sun,
Wearing a big top hat, he was a lot of fun.
We saw red James and the lovely Toad,
Who always seemed to be pulling a load.

"It's nearly the end of the day," the porter said,
"It's time for the engines to go to bed"
So we waited for Henry to take us back to town,
But when he arrived, he was the wrong way round.
He still went fast along the track,
We were happy and tired when we got safely back
We thanked the kind lady and went on our way.

From the path we turned and looked back through the steam -
We'd had such a good day - or was it just a wonderful dream?

Links to other pages

MHR Thomas the Tank Engine Page

Latest news of the engines maintenance, restoration, loco shed pictures, etc

Loco Shed: Latest Reports and Photos

More News from the Watercress Line

More of our web-movies

How to get to the Watercress Line

How we cook breakfast on the shovel at Mid-Hants Railway

The Origins of Thomas the Tank Engine

How many people are looking at this website? Latest record figures

The Watercress Line, The Railway Station, Alresford, Hampshire, England, SO24 9JG
Tel No: 01962 733810 Fax No: 01962 735448
e-mail: reservations@watercressline.co.uk