Children from across the island were given the chance to have a ride on a miniature railway along the length of the Douglas Railway station platform last weekend.

Children’s author and rail enthusiast Chris Vine, who has written the popular ’Peter’s Railway’ series of children’s books, visited the island with his hand-made seven and-a-quarter-guage steam engine, ’Sam’, and held a fun day on the platform, where he gave demonstrations on how the engine worked, signed copies of his books, and gave rides alongside the full size Isle of Man steam trains.

’My books are based around a boy named Peter, who builds a miniature railway to ride around his Grandad’s farm on,’ he said.

’I include sections the books that tell how the trains work, how the boiler operates and so on.

’They are very much educational "how it works" books for young children.’

’These engines are exactly the same as a normal, full-size steam engine.’

’They have a working boiler, they need a fire going, and that needs to be stoked, and the produce steam, which makes it go.

’But being this size lets kids get close to it and they can see how it works.’

Chris was brought over by the Isle of Man by the Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club, who organised workshops with some of the island schools, along with the event on Saturday afternoon.

’It was a lovely day all round,’ said Chris.

’Despite the distractions of the royal wedding and the football on the telly, there were a lot of people there.

’A big thank you must go to Isle of Man Transport for letting us use Douglas Railway station for the afternoon.’

The Manx Steam and Model Engineering Club, represented by Eddy Ryan, Bridget Bolster and Paul Bolster had their own display of small engines at the station, including steam trains, and also a working model of a vintage steam-powered hay baler.