New world record for the world’s longest train set track at Drayton Manor

Aug 29 2008 By Crystal Deane

THOMAS the Tank Engine travelled along the world’s longest train set track, setting a new world record.

Tomy, the company behind the toy version of Thomas the Tank Engine, built the 1.8km (1.1 mile) track at the Drayton Manor theme park in Tamworth, Staffordshire.

It broke the previous Guinness World Record for the longest train set track, which stood at 1.65km and was set in Japan in 2006.

It took Thomas 2.5 hours to travel the length of the track, which consists of 10,530 pieces. If built to full scale, the track would have measured 89 miles, organisers said.

The theme park recently announced it was beating the credit crunch as tens of thousands of families ditch overseas breaks this summer for a ride on the new Thomas the Tank Engine ride.

The popular 286-acre leisure complex – which celebrates its 60th anniversary in October 2009 – is enjoying its most successful period ever despite the worst UK downturn for years, said Drayton boss Colin Bryan.

Mr Byran revealed that prospects were so good that they have increased plans for a hotel on the site had been upgraded to a £10 million plus three or four star complex to help turn the theme park into a “destination” venue.