Thomas the Tank Engine brought to life by prisoners at Bandyup Women's Prison

13/10/96

Thomas the Tank Engine will be brought to life today thanks to a positive partnership between prisoners at Bandyup Women's Prison and the Bennett Brook Railway.

Six female prisoners worked at the prison, over several weeks, painting giant character faces to adorn four trains as part of the Friends of Thomas the Tank Engine Day being held at Whiteman Park today.

Justice Minister Peter Foss said the prison became involved in the project in July, with four prisoners also working on-site at Whiteman Park, helping Bennett Brook Railway enthusiasts to repaint train carriages.

"Prisoners tested their artistic talents by painting faces from the popular children's book on a series of large boards, which are now fixed to the front of four special trains," Mr Foss said.

"Both the project inside the prison and on-site at Whiteman Park was approached with great enthusiasm by the prisoners who, once official copyright permission was given, took to painting authentic character faces and the actual train carriages with gusto.

"All of the prisoners involved - including four who have now been released - saw the project as a chance to give something back to the community, particularly to the thousands of children who know and love Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends."

Bennett Brook Railway spokesman and train driver Bob Murphy praised both the prisoners' efforts and their attitude to the special day, which is part of this year's Spring in the Valley Festival celebrations.

"The women must have cleaned out a library of Thomas the Tank Engine books and studied them for days, because the faces are terrific," Mr Murphy said.

"We were very impressed with all their work and with the way the women approached their task. Something like this shows them and the community the best in life."

A tiny green petrol engine, a big red diesel engine, a four tonne and a 67 tonne steam engine will don the special faces today along six kilometres of heritage-based railway through the bushlands of Whiteman Park, near Beechboro.

The Bennett Brook Railway, which is operated by volunteers, hopes to make the Thomas the Tank Engine Day an annual event.

Media contact: Peter Harris 321 2222