THOMAS the Tank Engine and his visiting friend Toby the Tram were supposed to steal the show at the Severn Valley Railway at the weekend - but the rain came down on Saturday, putting a damper on the first of the two Day Out With Thomas weekends.

Now the Kidderminster-to-Bridgnorth steam railway is watching the weather forecasts, and crossing its fingers that the only repeat performance this Saturday and Sunday, will be the one from Thomas, Toby, the troublesome trucks, and all the other characters in the Thomas ensemble.

This is the 17th year that Thomas and Friends have enthralled local children at the SVR, and the programme of five daily shows, acted out by real engines at the railway's Kidderminster terminus with the vocal help of hundreds of children, has until now been blessed with fine weather.

Throughout the weekend, the 16-mile Kidderminster-Bridgnorth steam heritage line will again become an `all things Thomas' corridor, with many of Thomas's friends and supporting attractions to be found at stations down the line.

With the accent on children's entertainment, the delightfully tiny engines and carriages of the Coalyard Miniature Railway (outside Kidderminster Railway Museum) will be in operation alongside the `big' engines of the Thomas event.

Trevor the Traction Engine will visit Bewdley station, Arley station will feature Punch and Judy (noon until 4.15) and Zeppo the Magic Clown, and a bendy balloon man will be weaving his magic at Bridgnorth, where the musical background will be provided by a unique Bursen 52-note street organ.

As in past Thomas galas, the Kidderminster Town station is the main focus of activity, as the stage for the five live steam Thomas shows.

Admission to any day out with Thomas is £13 for adults, £11 for senior citizens and £7 for children aged from two to 15.