Thomas rides are axed
Tuesday 17th March 2009, 11:55AM GMT.
Children’s favourite Thomas the Tank Engine which attracts thousands of visitors to a Shropshire railway, has been axed.
Bosses at Telford Steam Railway (TSR) in Horsehay said despite the blue engine pulling in crowds from all over the UK and making a £10,000 profit for the charity, there were 400 fewer passengers on-board during last year’s Santa Specials, compared to the previous year.
Railway chairman Paul Hughes said in his mon-thly report: “This was a hard decision to make but, at the present time, the potential profits are outweighed by the financial risks and effort that goes into staging the event.”
However, Mr Hughes said they had been offered a licence to host Thomas again this year by the organisers HIT Entertainment.
Robin Burgess, TSR financial director, said the profit of about £10,000 from last year was a “massive fall from the heady days of £25,000 surpluses just three years ago”.
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
What a shame was my little boys first year on the train last year and he loved it and my wife and i had already planned taking him next year, i hope this is reconsidered as it is a great day for the little ones with so many going away very happy. maybe it just needs a little more advertising as we only found out by word of mouth
Report abuse
The decision to suspend Thomas was a difficult one, but in the present climate a necessary one to protect the Steam Railway from potential losses.
However, please be assured, Santa will be at Horsehay again this year, in a new format without Thomas.
Also it is an exciting year ahead, being the 150th anniversary or our line opening and the probable opening of our new Northern Terminus at Lawley.
There is also a full programme of other events from Easter Bunny, Teddy Bear Picnics to steam and diesel galas and model shows.
Report abuse