AN all-time children's TV favourite will be back on track when he returns to a Worcestershire railway.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be letting off steam when he brings his famous blue livery to the Severn Valley Railway on two successive weekends.

Since his debut appearance at the railway eight years ago, Thomas has become one of the special events at Kidderminster station.

Six live shows will be acted out each day, with a full cast of characters including Thomas, Duck the Pannier Tank, Toad and Bertie Bus, all under the watchful eye of The Fat Controller.

The storyline, devised by Kidderminster stationmaster Malcolm Broadhurst, will see the troublesome trucks return to create all sorts of problems for Thomas and Duck.

There will be a 45-minute interval train service and 11 departures each day, starting from Kidderminster at 9.15am and Bridgnorth at 10.20am. Thomas and his friends can be seen at stations all along the line.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be at the SVR this Saturday and Sunday, September 1 and 2, as well as Saturday and Sunday, September 8 and 9. Children under the age of two travel free at all Thomas the Tank Engine events.