Last updated at 14:54, Monday, 08 November 2010

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THE sun shone brightly over a crisp and cold autumn weekend, as Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway celebrated Thomas the Tank Engine’s 65th anniversary.

The love for Thomas and his friends spans the generations and there was plenty of fun for all the family throughout Saturday and yesterday.

The scene was firmly set at Haverthwaite Railway Station, with Thomas’s steam billowing through the air and the iconic theme tune to the children’s series playing in the yard.

The station was swarming with guests, who turned out in force to enjoy the sunshine and meet some of the much-loved children’s characters.

Karen Maher, one of the managers of the Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway, spent the weekend dressed up and in character playing Lady Hatt, wife of Sir Topham Hatt, better known as the “fat controller”.

Standing in the packed station yard on yesterday afternoon, Mrs Maher said: “Because of the brilliant weather, we’re on course for this to be one of the best Thomas weekends we’ve ever had.

“You can see, just from looking at the people around you, how loved this event and these characters are.

“The enthusiasm from the team here is brilliant, everybody puts 100 per cent into it.”

Throughout the two-day event, Sir Topham Hatt greeted children, posed for pictures and relayed some of the more famous tales of Thomas and his friends.

Every half an hour there was a live show in the railway yard, starring Thomas, Diesel and Henry, as well as George the steamroller, Trevor the traction-engine, Cranky the crane and many more. Children shouted, cheered, clapped and sang as Sir Topham Hatt encouraged them to join in with all of the storytelling sessions.

Meanwhile, in Haverthwaite’s “Imagination Station” youngsters were given rides on a miniature railway, watched Punch and Judy and magic shows, had their faces painted, and enjoyed arts and crafts activities.

And while Thomas, Diesel and Henry hung out with the masses at Haverthwaite, Daisy the steam engine and Bulgy the bus carried guests to and from Lakeside.

First published at 11:56, Monday, 08 November 2010
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk