RICHARD FOSTER and family enjoy a Thomas The Tank Engine experience.

SIR Topham Hatt, better known as the Fat Controller from the charming Thomas The Tank Engine books which have spawned a multi-million pound industry, was having a spot of bother.

He had asked, rather ordered, a little steam locomotive to pull two freight wagons - one loaded with jelly babies; the other with beer.

But the bashful locomotive, called Annie, tarried too long, allowing a mischievous locomotive, called Diesel, to tow away the trucks from right under the nose of the Fat Controller.

Needless to say, the Fat Controller, after a lot of shouting, managed to sort out Diesel and the troublesome trucks, which eventually got hitched to Annie - in a railway rather than biblical sense!

This railway drama was played out near the Grosmont engine sheds at the terminus of the popular North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

It was one of the highlights of the steam railway's Thomas The Tank Engine weekend, called Day Out With Thomas, which attracted impressive crowds despite the overcast and drizzly weather.

My children - Sophie, 12, Daniel, ten, and eight-year-old Rachel - enjoyed the friendly atmosphere generated by the charisma of steam locomotives, such as the streamlined Sir Nigel Gresley - a true blue thoroughbred built for speed.

The Fat Controller thrived on being the centre of attention. In his yellow waistcoat, he simply radiated warmth as he gave a cheerful greeting to everybody he met.

He played the part of a bombastic, benevolent tyrant - lord of all he surveys - with great gusto. The only gripe from the hordes of children attracted to him was that he could have been...just a little bit fatter.

Thomas The Tank Engine was celebrated at all the railway line's main stations.

Pickering station played host to Percy, a Bouncy Thomas, a ball pool and a children's entertainer.

At Levisham there was a Grand Thomas Fete in a marquee, plus a juggler's workshop, Punch & Judy and a model railway.

At Goathland - Aidensfield in TV's popular Heartbeat series - there was a character bus, Thomas video shows, a clown, a face-painter and a story-teller.

Magical entertainment was presented by Cadabra at Grosmont Station while the nearby engine sheds had to put up with the Troublesome Trucks and naughty Diesel.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is not just popular with tourists, but with movie makers too. Just this week, scenes for the forthcoming Harry Potter film were being filmed at Goathland.

Fact file

The steam railway's 18-mile line runs between Pickering and Grosmont, near Whitby.

For ticket details and information about special events telephone 01751 472508.

Talking timetable: 01751 473535.