An exciting announcement has been made by Dovetail Games, with regards to a special steam engine set to celebrate his 80th Birthday next year.

Working alongside Mattel and the locomotive’s recent appearance at the West Somerset Railway, Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends will be coming to Train Sim World 5 (TSW5).

This announcement will no doubt be happy news to all generations that play on TSW5, as the chance to drive and fire Thomas the Tank engine or any of his friends in a simulated format will enable rail fans to live out the role, of operating locomotives from the famous stories from childhood books or the TV shows.

Due to be released next year, the Thomas Add-on is unlike any other released before.

The gameplay in this instance is entirely story-driven, featuring an engaging narrative that follows the adventures of Thomas and his friends during their visit to the West Somerset Railway.

This will enable players to act out a Thomas the Tank engine story from the footplate of the blue tank engine.

The Add-on titled ‘Thomas & Friends Visit the West Somerset Railway’ will only be available to those who use TSW5 and have the West Somerset Railway route Add-on.

The pack includes a story narrative, Thomas, his two coaches Annie and Clarabel, while Diesel and a few Troublesome trucks will also be included to give added fun.

A special timetable and tutorials will also be available to guide users through the story narrative. Those who wish to get ahead of the game can prepare for Thomas’ launch by obtaining a free starter pack or bundles, which will enable Thomas to run ASAP when he is released next year.

Plus as a bonus, Thomas and all of his friends can travel and be used on any route in TSW5 featuring railways across the world by using the Free Roam Add-On.

Back in the real world, Thomas will be starting his 80th birthday celebrations at the Statfold Barn railway next March, before heading around other heritage railways, which in turn will also be celebrating Railway 200 which also happens to coincide with Thomas’s milestone birthday.