Well, that's not really nice, I suppose, as these Thomas events, usually hosted by rail enthusiast sites or societies, often provide the crucial revenue they need to keep running. But it is telling that the page featuring "highlights" of this year's event features, mostly, pictures of the merchandise tent. Must be prior to opening because it was utter chaos when we were there.
We had fun, though the promised train ride was less than exhilarating even for those grown-ups who love trains (read: Daddy). It was clear Thomas himself was not a functioning steamer but a shell on a car with a steam whistle built in. He also had an oddly distended head and was seriously off-model.
But not as badly as this horrifying inflatable Thomas who appears to be bleeding from the mouth and to have suffered a massive bee-sting to the face :
But the web is awash in cheesy Thomas imitations. Less so "Pied Pipers of Percussion" but based on this man I'd say the world is a better place for that.The actual train ride consisted of being pulled backwards by a diesel engine a couple of miles, and then pushed back into the station. Not at all worth the $16.00 each (including Jack!) thought Jack enjoyed it. I don't know that he got $16 worth of fun out of it, though; that 80 bucks would have been better spent on the ample supplies of Thomas knick-knacks available for purchase.
The day's big purchase.
Jack was pleased to receive his official photcopied Jr. Engineer Certificate.
Jack surveys the vistas of the Thomas wooden railway, available for a princely sum at a merch tent near you.
Jack met with Sir Topham Hatt. If you have to ask, you don't want to know. Jack's at a stage where he gets very shy around large, costumed figures. Especially ones with weird, stunted little hands.
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