Caption: While the Thomas the Tank Engine stories faded during the 1970s, the 1984 television series ignited a passion for the "really useful engine" that has never gone away. Generation after generation of children around the world now grow up on a steady diet of shows featuring either the model Thomas or the hideous computer-generated version. The franchise has become so successful that full-size Thomas the Tank Engines now tour North America as part of HIT Entertainment's "A Day Out with Thomas" events. This year, the York-Durham Heritage Railway in Uxbridge was able to secure the tour and sold out six days of trips with Thomas. Surprisingly realistic, Thomas is seen leaving Uxbridge with the first train on the second day of excursions. While the engine isn't steam, the smoke effects are good and the moving face is positively disturbing. I have never seen such large crowds for the train in Uxbridge, and the event is a great success for the YDHR. (And yes, I do share my name with engine number 1!)