YOUNGSTERS were treated to a weekend of steam-powered fun as some of their favourite TV trains made their way to north Essex.

Families flocked to the East Anglian Railway Museum in Wakes Colne to get up close and personal with some of the UK’s most famous trains.

The museum, which is based at the Chappel and Wakes Colne Station, hosted a Day Out with Thomas event on Saturday and Sunday.

About 800 people were there each day to see fully-functional trains based on the characters from the Thomas and Friends TV show.

Visitors on the day got to see Thomas pull in to the station with some lucky visitors even getting the chance to take a ride on the rails in his carriages.

There were other attractions too with visitors getting to meet the Fat Controller in person, along with Toby the Tram and Henrietta the train.

There were also re-enactments of classic Thomas stories by Sodor sweepers Rusty and Dusty and the Fat Controller.

Neil Temlett, from the museum, said: “We were pleased with this year’s event. It was one of the best Thomases we’ve ever had and we’re looking forward to events coming up in October and December.

“We didn’t have any complaints on the day and it seemed like people we obviously excited to get back out.”