To celebrate the 80th Anniversary of Thomas & Friends, Dovetail Games has released a Train Sim World 5 Expansion of Thomas’s visit to the West Somerset Railway.

A surprise birthday celebration for Thomas is being prepared by Sir Topham Hatt and Diesel, with Thomas also receiving a special coat of paint.

A previous Add-on followed events during Thomas’ first full day on the West Somerset Railway, and preparations are now taking place to celebrate his birthday, with Thomas getting excited, looking forward to a big celebration.

Diesel is trying to be on his best behaviour. Being eager to please, Sir Topham Hatt has given him a very important job, which is to go and collect the Troublesome Trucks filled with party supplies. The question is, will they get up to their usual tricks?

Gamers can visualise being a really useful engine by taking passengers on Annie & Clarabel and helping others who are in need.

Thomas has also asked to be repainted for his birthday into the same original green livery he wore when he first arrived on Sodor.

It seems appropriate that for his special day, Thomas should wear his original colour, and travel around the West Somerset Railway in his original green livery with white pinstripe lining and his original number 70.

It is a long time since Thomas has been painted green with white pinstripe lining, and he now looks just like he did when he first arrived on Sodor. Just as before his repaint, driving with Thomas is intuitive and accessible with simplified throttle and brake controls, to make it easy for everyone to enjoy.

The 80th Anniversary Expansion also has an additional three-part narrated story, whilst Free Roam can be used to take Thomas on a tour of the mainland. Gamers with the East Coastway and London-Brighton route Add-ons can also take Thomas to his original hometown of Brighton.

Thomas & Friends 80th Anniversary Expansion is available for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5, and costs £7.99 from Epic Games Store and Steam.

The minimum requirements to run the 80th Anniversary Expansion are Train Sim World 5, West Somerset Railway route Add-on, and Thomas & Friends Visit the West Somerset Railway Add-on.

Gamers new to Train Sim World can obtain all they need in a single Core Bundle: Train Sim World 5: Thomas & Friends Edition for Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 from Epic Games Store and Steam for £29.99.

In April, the Nene Valley Railway held a special Autism Awareness Day with Thomas the Tank Engine.