Its Thomas the Tank Engines 70th birthday this year.

I read this morning that Thomas is based on a Billington E2-Class 0-6-0T locomotive and he is painted blue after the North Western Railway colours.

I wonder if that's true?

I always thought he was a J69

Yes indeed. Rev Awdry's creations are indeed 70 this year.

The post office here in NSW have a hardback book with all his original stories (56,I think) in hardback for A$25!

More importantly, it includes all the original illustrations, which are awesome.

I've just typed meself into going there tomorrow and acquiring one. I'll tell Mrs B I'm off to pay a bill.