The old Thomas has been retired and a new one is now under construction. This page will chart the progress of the new layout untill it is shown at our next exhibition. In the meantime you can still view the old one by visiting the Archive section of the site and clicking on the "Old Thomas layout" text. Or go directly to it by clicking here.

Baseboards have been constructed and the two loops pf track have now been laid. Two of the Jubior members helping with the new Thomas layout can bee seen here enjoying the testing of the track.

Another view of the boards and track from the opposite end of the layout. The boards are constructed to "Fold" into a 4ft x 4ft x 1ft suitcase complete with legs and bracings. This will make erecting the layout at an exhibition very quick.

Balasting and wiring almost completed thoughts are now turning to scenery. As can be seen a start has been made on it with some buildings in trial positions to see how it will look.

Thomas is looking very different now that the scenic work is nearing completion and the buildings are in place. Seen here is Thomas with Annie and Clarabell in the station.

The new Thomas layout makes it's debut to the public at the "Wheatsheaf" centre in Rochdale. This was on the weekend before our 2006 exhibition to try and promote the event. A lot of interest was shown and the layout performed very well with no real problems other than some of the locos could be run too fast. This had the effect of causing high speed derailments which the kids using the layout thought was great fun!!

Thomas visited Dunnes Stores in Heywood over the weekend of the 10th and 11th March 2007 to promote the forthcoming Exhibition at Heywood Civic hall. The local children thought it was fantastic and here are some of the delighted expressions captured as they drove Thomas or one of his friends.

This page updated 11th March 2007