IT is one of life's little mysteries.
Why are so many toddlers obsessed with trains and Thomas the Tank Engine?
It is a question that still leaves me puzzled but one thing is for sure – The Rev Wilbert Awdry's Railway Series has been entertaining youngsters for 70 years and that is not going to change anytime soon.
So with my son Ethan being among Thomas's biggest fans we made tracks to Thomas Land for his second birthday.
As part of Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire, the family attraction benefits from its attention to detail.
You will probably find that a lot of your day revolves around your child excitedly pointing at and naming each of Thomas's friends.
Some of the activities were slightly outside Ethan's age range but with a lot of gentle rides too there was plenty to do.
Naturally, the starting point for the day is a ride on Thomas The Tank Engine.
But with everything from a model railway and themed soft play to the 220m Troublesome Trucks Runaway Coaster, the day out is suitable for kids and big kids alike.
We particularly enjoyed Sodor Classic Cars, Harold's Helicopter Tours and Winston's Whistle-stop monorail.
The only downside was that on most of the rides only one adult can accompany a child which was a shame when you all want to share the experience.
Trivia fans will love it too. You can learn about Ringo Starr's involvement with the series, the first Thomas Land in Japan.
And you can discover how it all started for Thomas and friends when The Rev Wilbert Awdry invented the characters to cheer up his son Christopher when he caught the measles.
If your youngster runs out of steam, you can have a change of pace at the outdoor play area which is also next door to Drayton Manor's impressive but small scale dinosaur trail.
There is also a zoo with more than 100 animals, including Sumatran tigers, and despite all these attractions in one site, the park never feels overbearing.
And if your child falls asleep you can always nip off to the rollercoasters!
- For the full list of prices and offers at Thomas Land visit draytonmanor.co.uk/thomas-land
DAVID MORGAN
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