The ultra-narrow version, at Portland:http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200508211838416237.jpg&bydate%3A57

Take a good look at the picture and tell me what is really wrong there. Clue: My significant other caught it before I did and she is not a railfan.GME

Do you mean the fact that the Diesel that is really pulling the train is running backwards?The real steam Thomas is a standard gauge engine from the Brookly Eastern District Terminal Railway of New York City. They ran steam on the western edge of Long Island long after the Long Island Railroad turned to Diesels. the locomotove looks, sounds and most important smells right!Ted Miles

HiThere are several things wrong with that picture and actually it isnt wrong anywayfirst the caption says everything:--------------------------------------------------------Thomas and MNGRR #1 Pull a LONG train.The Thomas train (which I would conductor the next day) was 8 cars long. #1 turned in a steller performance pulling the 8 cars and the 9 ton Thomas engine.--------------------------------------------------------as stated the MNGRR #1 did all the work. That particular thomas is a dummy used at Some Thomas events.And Yes I know the Drivers on thomas are all wrong being in the center like they are. (Hmmm) [Dont know for sure looking at two picts] And they do use a Smoke Generator on those events too.Got to remember who Thomas is for. A lol the little kids dont worry about some discrepencies. There are only a few who would notice it at all.Andrew Martin

I see it..Thomas looks VERY lopsided!it appears in that photo that the 2-foot rails are only under the left side of Thomas, and the right side is sticking way out into space!but I think its just an illusion based on the angle of that photo..here is another photo, and Thomas looks more "centered" here:http://naphotos.nerail.org/showpic/?photo=200508211832344300.jpg&order=byposter&page=1&key=mooScot

None of you have it yet. Since Thomas is real only in the minds of the Reverend Awby and his readers, technical details such as wheels and gauge are really quite unimportant. After all isn't Sodor somewhere off the coast of Narnia?The clue was that a non-railfan caught it. She used a term that you simply do not expect to hear coming from a prim and proper retired elementary school principle, at least not in public, and modified it with the terms "stupid" and "negligent". It may help to compare the two pictures.GME

Well Duh, the front window holes in the Thomas cab are painted on, not really open for viewing purposes. SO the engineer in the pusher has a big blue obstacle in front of them. I know there is generally a "engineer" on Thomas, but how much can he/she really see in that configuration? Mike Western VA RR Preservation Soc.

Allowing an unattended child to stand in the gage of the railway?Steve

BingoGME

Hmmm.I actually thought of the child myself but dismissed it for several reasons.1- The Photographer was probably monitoring the child.2- You only see most of the child, there could actually be a parent or someone else to the left of the child out of the picture.3-It Really looks as if the train isnt running on that particular day because there is no crowd anywhere to be seen.This is my thoughts on the matter of the child and I may be completely off base too. If I am I humbley apolojize.Andrew Martin

Doesnt matter if the train is not 'operating' that day or not....a kid, or anyone for that matter shouldn't be standing in front of equipment like that...no matter 2 foot or 4'8 1/2....its still able to move on its own ...and there won't be any warning...and it WILL hurt."Expect movement in any direction at any time"Compalicency Kills.

Interestingly, as for that "it's being pulled by a diesel!" part...When Thomas came to Roaring Camp for a six-day-long event of extreme financial gain and crew exhaustion, it had an advantage other lines hosting DOWT events probably doen't...essentially no guests were in a place to see the CF-7 on the opposite end of the train.The SG guys backed it down into the trees to make a "Grand Entry", and due to the redwood forest, a row of cabooses, and a lengthy train boarding on somewhat of a curve...the locomotive was (except for those trying to find it) essentially invisible.In addition, EVERYONE who wanted a photo with Thomas, whether taken by their camera or by the photographer for the event, had to wait in the photo line...not just for courtesy, but of course safety. Some children who have not yet learned the power of a moving train vs. three-foot-tall person, and have a tendency to run towards the train when they see/hear it. The area around the blue 'engine' was carefully monitored. Management brought in a security team and altered operating procedures during the event to keep the NG trains (there were 1-2, in addition to the shuttle, on the main at any given time) away from the Thomas mob scene and using the wye to get trains headed in the right direction as complete use of the balloon was not availible.Much planning and preparation went into ensuring a safe and enjoyable event for visitors. I hope other lines do as much planning as done at Roaring Camp.

Don't count on it - some kids are smart! From time to time kids looking at our 2'6" gauge 0-4-0 Thomas (www.puffingbilly.com.au/info/specials/Thomas.htm ) spot that he is missing a pair of wheels