Thomas the Tank Engine 45th Birthday

This article is about the events. You may be looking for the book or the album.

Thomas the Tank Engine 45th Birthday, or simply Happy Birthday Thomas, were events hosted by Heinemann Young Books to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Railway Series at the National Railway Museum on 21st and 22nd July 1990.

Programme of Events[]

10:30	The Grand Opening. Presentation of complete set of Thomas books to Dr. John Coiley Keeper of the National Railway Museum by the Rev. W. Awdry.
11:00	Reading of selected Thomas stories.^[1]
11:30	Book signing by Rev. W. Awdry and Christopher Awdry.^[2]

13:00	Reading of selected Thomas stories.^[1]
14:00	Book signing by Rev. W. Awdry and Christopher Awdry.^[2]
14:30	Mistral Saxophone Quartet.
15:00	Cutting of Thomas' birthday cake by Rev. W. Awdry and Christopher Awdry next to Thomas the Tank Engine.
16:00	Reading of selected Thomas stories.^[1]
16:00	Mistral Saxophone Quartet.

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 The readings of Thomas stories took place in the 928 brake van opposite the Museum Enquiry Office and on the Packing Cases at the rear of the goods train No. 8217.
↑ ^2.0 ^2.1 The book signing sessions took place on the top concourse near the Pullman Dining Car.

The posters were drawn by Ken Stott.
This is the first large-scale celebration of an anniversary of the Railway Series.
The event was held during the Great Railway Show at the National Railway Museum and was published as Thomas and the Great Railway Show in 1991.
The event first happened on the first anniversary of Margaret Awdry’s death.