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ITH his cheeky smile and irascible nose for trouble, Thomas is an unlikely icon of childhood. A sort of Justin Bieber of transport.

The engine and his friends are unquestionably one of the world’s most recognisable franchises. Their gentle adventures on the Island of Sodor have entertained youngsters for generations.

Despite having two children of my own, it was a surprise for me to learn that an entire theme park dedicated to Thomas the Tank engine was just a short drive from Manchester.

First opened in 1949, Drayton Manor theme park near Tamworth in Staffordshire was previously the location of a stately home and then an Army training ground.

But now it is one of the UK’s most popular attractions pulling in some 1.5m people every year

And since 2008 it has also been home to Thomas Land and an array of rail-themed rides to delight children of all ages.

Created by the Rev WA Awdry back in the 1940s, Thomas and his friends have been an enduring mainstay of British childhood as well as a global phenomenon with audiences around the world (not least in Japan where the very first Thomas Land opened some years ago).

Aged four and seven, I thought