THE world's most popular railway engine will chug into the region this weekend.

Thomas the Tank Engine and some of his best friends will be at the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, on North Road, today and tomorrow.

The last time the television engine was in the town in 1998, 8,000 people came to see the star and organisers of the Friends of Thomas Day are hoping even more will turn up this weekend.

Thomas will be joined by, among others, Bertie the Bus, Toad the Brake Van, Devious Diesel and George the Steamroller.

The Fat Controller, in the guise of actor Robin Elwood, will also be on hand to make sure everything goes to plan.

Young visitors to the museum will be able to take a ride on Thomas, see the other stars of the show and take part in a host of other activities.

Inside the museum, staff will be showing Thomas the Tank Engine videos and helping youngsters to do colouring and jigsaws, as well as playing with a model railway.

The Thomas engine was built in 1948 by Hudswell Clarke and has been based at the Embsay Railway Station in the Yorkshire Dales, for many years.

John Wilks, acting heritage manager of the museum said: "This is the first time Thomas has visited the town for four years and we are hopeful that plenty of visitors will attend."

Earlier this week, Mayor of Darlington, Councillor Doris Hones, and Councillor Dorothy Long were given a sneak preview of the event and got to meet Thomas.

Thomas and his friends will be at the museum between 10am and 5pm today and tomorrow. Tickets cost £4 for adults and £2.50 for children aged five to 16. Family tickets for two adults and up to three children are £12.