Thomas Land (Drayton Manor)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Land is a themed area at Drayton Manor Theme Park
in Staffordshire
, England, based on the TV series Thomas and Friends. It stands on the former site of Robinsons Land, a themed area sponsored by the soft drinks brand of the same name. The construction began while the park was still open in September 2007, and many of the Robinsons Land rides were moved to other areas of the park for the remainder of the season. All but the Veteran Cars (now Sodor's Classic Cars) were removed and sold to Funland at Hayling Island
. Thomas Land officially opened to the public on 15 March 2008.
, Percy
and Rosie are used on a miniature railway that takes visitors through Thomas Land. The line features Tidmouth Sheds, where stationary models are kept, Knapford Station
, which serves as the main station and a refreshment stand, Dryaw, and Tidmouth Hault. It also has many sidings and sheds along the way, one of which carries a sleeping model of James
.
announced that the original models from the television series would be put on display at Thomas Land in an exhibit called "Discover Thomas & Friends", as production was to move to Canada, now that the series is to be animated with CGI
. The models were then put on display in 2010. So far, the layout features Great Waterton, a town that first appeared in "The Great Discovery
", the Fishing Village and Brendam Docks. Many other buildings have been seen from previous seasons from the show, such as "Neptune's Refreshments", "Ben's Books", Toby's Shed and Bluff's Cove signal box. Models have also appeared in the workshop, including: Bulgy, Terence
, Trevor
, Elizabeth, Butch, 3 Horrid Lorries, a canal boat, A Tug boat (Zebedee), A Harbour Ship (Izzy Gomez), 2 red and white express carriages, 2 green and cream express carriages, Thomas
, Edward
, Toby
, Stepney, Rosie, Harvey, Bulstrode, Toad the brake van (faceless), and various trucks.
industry for excessive demands of safety, training and quality, at themed Thomas events held at heritage railways (see Day Out With Thomas
). Demands for ever-larger shares of profits have also been unpopular, and many railways have stopped holding Thomas events altogether.
It has been suggested by some that the enhanced demands were made to price heritage railways out of the market and force families seeking a Thomas experience to visit Thomas Land. Criticism has been made of the unrealistic, diesel-powered narrow gauge renditions of familiar Thomas characters at Thomas Land, whereas at Heritage railways a full-size steam locomotive can be experienced.
Drayton Manor Theme Park
Drayton Manor Theme Park is a theme park, resort & zoo in the grounds of the former Drayton Manor, near Tamworth in Staffordshire, England.Drayton Manor is best known because it is a theme park and zoo which attracts around 1.4 million people a year. The attraction has a wide selection of rides set...
in Staffordshire
Staffordshire
Staffordshire is a landlocked county in the West Midlands region of England. For Eurostat purposes, the county is a NUTS 3 region and is one of four counties or unitary districts that comprise the "Shropshire and Staffordshire" NUTS 2 region. Part of the National Forest lies within its borders...
, England, based on the TV series Thomas and Friends. It stands on the former site of Robinsons Land, a themed area sponsored by the soft drinks brand of the same name. The construction began while the park was still open in September 2007, and many of the Robinsons Land rides were moved to other areas of the park for the remainder of the season. All but the Veteran Cars (now Sodor's Classic Cars) were removed and sold to Funland at Hayling Island
Hayling Island
-Leisure activities:Although largely residential, Hayling is also a holiday, windsurfing and sailing centre, the site where windsurfing was invented....
. Thomas Land officially opened to the public on 15 March 2008.
Rides
Thomas Land is set in 3 acres (12,140.6 m²) of parkland and features 13 themed rides.- Troublesome Trucks roller coasterTroublesome Trucks (roller coaster)Troublesome Trucks is a roller coaster at Drayton Manor Theme Park, England. It is a Gerstlauer-manufactured Junior Coaster and is situated in the new Thomas Land area of the Park.-See also:*Thomas & Friends -- the TV series...
- Jeremy's Flying Academy
- Terence's Driving School
- Diesel's Locomotion Mayhem
- Crazy Bertie Bus
- Lady's Carousel
- Sodor's Classic Cars
- Harold's Heli-Tours
- Cranky's Drop Tower
- Emily's Indoor Play Area
- Spencer's Outdoor play area
- Rockin' Bulstrode
Train rides
Narrow gauge models of ThomasThomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
, Percy
Percy the Small Engine
Percy the Small Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam engine from The Railway Series of children's books written by the Reverend Wilbert Vere Awdry and his son, Christopher Awdry...
and Rosie are used on a miniature railway that takes visitors through Thomas Land. The line features Tidmouth Sheds, where stationary models are kept, Knapford Station
Knapford
Knapford is a fictional location in The Railway Series books by Rev. W. Awdry and in the related Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends television series.For information, see either:*The Railway Series*Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends...
, which serves as the main station and a refreshment stand, Dryaw, and Tidmouth Hault. It also has many sidings and sheds along the way, one of which carries a sleeping model of James
James the Red Engine
James the Red Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic tender locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV series Thomas and Friends. James is a mixed-traffic engine, which means he is just as capable of pulling coaches as trucks...
.
Discover Thomas & Friends
In early 2009, HIT EntertainmentHIT Entertainment
Hit Entertainment is a British-American entertainment distribution company established in 1989, and originally the international distribution arm of Jim Henson Productions called Henson International Television...
announced that the original models from the television series would be put on display at Thomas Land in an exhibit called "Discover Thomas & Friends", as production was to move to Canada, now that the series is to be animated with CGI
Computer-generated imagery
Computer-generated imagery is the application of the field of computer graphics or, more specifically, 3D computer graphics to special effects in art, video games, films, television programs, commercials, simulators and simulation generally, and printed media...
. The models were then put on display in 2010. So far, the layout features Great Waterton, a town that first appeared in "The Great Discovery
The Great Discovery
The Great Discovery is a 2008 film and feature spin-off of the TV series, Thomas and Friends. The film is a follow up, not a direct sequel to Thomas and the Magic Railroad and a sequel to Calling All Engines! The DVD was released on September 9 2008 in the United States and October 6 2008 in the...
", the Fishing Village and Brendam Docks. Many other buildings have been seen from previous seasons from the show, such as "Neptune's Refreshments", "Ben's Books", Toby's Shed and Bluff's Cove signal box. Models have also appeared in the workshop, including: Bulgy, Terence
Terence the Tractor
Terence the Tractor is a fictional anthropomorphic crawler tractor from The Railway Series of children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends....
, Trevor
Trevor the Traction Engine
Trevor the Traction Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic character from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev. W. Awdry, and the spin-off TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends....
, Elizabeth, Butch, 3 Horrid Lorries, a canal boat, A Tug boat (Zebedee), A Harbour Ship (Izzy Gomez), 2 red and white express carriages, 2 green and cream express carriages, Thomas
Thomas the Tank Engine
Thomas the Tank Engine is a fictional steam locomotive in The Railway Series books by the Reverend Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher. He became the most popular character in the series, and the accompanying television spin-off series, Thomas and Friends.Thomas is a tank engine, painted blue...
, Edward
Edward the Blue Engine
Edward the Blue Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic steam locomotive from The Railway Series children's books by the Rev W. Awdry, and the related TV Series Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends. He is a blue 4-4-0 tender engine with red stripes, about the same size as James the Red Engine, and has...
, Toby
Toby the Tram Engine
Toby the Tram Engine is a fictional anthropomorphic tram engine in The Railway Series by the Rev. W. Awdry and his son, Christopher; he also appears in the spin-off television series Thomas and Friends...
, Stepney, Rosie, Harvey, Bulstrode, Toad the brake van (faceless), and various trucks.
Controversy
HIT Entertainment has come under criticism in the Heritage railwayHeritage railway
thumb|right|the Historical [[Khyber train safari|Khyber Railway]] goes through the [[Khyber Pass]], [[Pakistan]]A heritage railway , preserved railway , tourist railway , or tourist railroad is a railway that is run as a tourist attraction, in some cases by volunteers, and...
industry for excessive demands of safety, training and quality, at themed Thomas events held at heritage railways (see Day Out With Thomas
Day out with Thomas
Day Out With Thomas is a trade name, licensed by HiT Entertainment, for tourist events that take place on heritage railways and feature one or more trains decorated to look like characters from the children's TV series, Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends....
). Demands for ever-larger shares of profits have also been unpopular, and many railways have stopped holding Thomas events altogether.
It has been suggested by some that the enhanced demands were made to price heritage railways out of the market and force families seeking a Thomas experience to visit Thomas Land. Criticism has been made of the unrealistic, diesel-powered narrow gauge renditions of familiar Thomas characters at Thomas Land, whereas at Heritage railways a full-size steam locomotive can be experienced.
See also
- List of theme parks in the United Kingdom
- Thomas & Friends -- the TV series