6619 on "Thomas" duty at Northiam

Today's duty on the KESR was as crossing keeper at Northiam on day 1 of the "Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends" weekend. Seven return trains which terminated at Northiam, meaning that each time a train arrived and departed there were 3 opening and closings of the crossing gates. (The middle set being the engine run around).

Apart from "Thomas" services there were no other public trains today. All passengers had to be pre-booked and board at Tenterden, where all the action is with "Thomas" himself and all the other characters. All the other stations were closed. Some passengers turned up at Northiam on spec hoping for a normal Saturday service so had to be disappointed.

Between trains Northiam Station was deserted so it was very pleasant to sit beneath the canopy, in the shade, out of the hot sun and humid conditions. When I train arrived I had to hot foot it to the crossing and stay there until the train departed back for Tenterden. So I missed all the milling around on the platform while the engine ran around the train.

There are many people who dislike the "Thomas" weekends, feeling it dumbs down the railway to have these faces on the front of engines. The event used to be a money spinner but the franchise fee nowadays is very high and many heritage lines are looking for alternatives.

I'm not sure what I think. Neither am I sure about the look on that face. Seems ever so slightly sinister to me. However, it brings alot of youngsters to the railway and the more young people the better so that the railway can continue into the future when us old codgers are no longer in working order.