A CHEEKY blue tank engine is taking over the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway this weekend.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be up to his antics on the heritage railway, which will be running an intensive service of trains between Cheltenham and Toddington on Saturday and Sunday.

Commercial director Colin Fewell said Day out with Thomas is one of the highlights of the railway’s calendar.

“A pretty high proportion of people visiting the event, whether aged six or 60, were brought up on the books describing the antics on the railway system of the fictitious island of Sodor,” he said.

“Visitors can see many of the amazing Thomas and Friends stories being acted out for real over this fantastic weekend.

“The Fat Controller will be keeping a close eye on Thomas and his friends during the weekend to make sure he they get into any mischief."

As well as Thomas, there will be a genuine London Routemaster bus giving rides and racing Thomas between Toddington and Winchcombe.

Other attractions include face painting, the ‘imagination station’, Punch & Judy, balloon modelling and model railways.

Tickets cost £18 for adults, £16 for senior citizens and £10 for children and discounted family tickets and the first train departs from Cheltenham Racecourse at 9.45am.

For details and a timetable of trains, visit gwsr.com.