TUGS - The Exhibition

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TUGS - The Exhibition Owners of the models used in the 1980s Clearwater Features / TVS - TV Series, TUGS.

Owners of the models used in the 1980s Clearwater Features / TVS TV Series - TUGS. Keeping the spirit of Bigg City Port alive through events and exhibitions since 2013!

This week's is also a thank you to the good people at Slough & Windsor Railway Society who kindly invited us to their ...
15/10/2026

This week's is also a thank you to the good people at Slough & Windsor Railway Society who kindly invited us to their exhibition last year. Not only did the Tugs receive a warm welcome, we met some genuinely lovely people - from fellow exhibitors to fans who came down to pay us a visit.

Our particular gratitude to both and for the introduction and the invitation, as well as your genuine kindness. We remain grateful for the opportunity, and for your continuing friendship!

Join us for a trip down memory lane with the Tugs of Bigg City Port!View a display of original Character Models, Product...
14/10/2026

Join us for a trip down memory lane with the Tugs of Bigg City Port!

View a display of original Character Models, Production Props and Merchandise, created and brought to the small screen by the original production team of Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends™ – a real treat for fans old and new.

Check out our event page here:
https://fb.me/e/4S9HVWQtj

Tickets are available to book now:
https://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/whats-on/join-us-for-a-trip-down-memory-lane-with-the-1988-1989-childrens-television-series-tugs/

Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Your Event Ticket also opens the doors to a whole day of fun across the railway site, including:

TUGS™ Display • Spot The TUGS™ Trail • TUGS™ Activity Colouring Sheets • Heritage Train Rides • Model Railways • Garden Railway • Road Transport Display • Stationary Powerhouse • West Shed Experience • Victorian Railway Church • Play Area • Narrow Gauge Railway (Additional fare payable).

Heritage mainline trains depart Butterley Station at: 11:00 • 12:00 • 13:00 • 14:15 • 15:15 each day with the last train leaving Swanwick at 16:00.

Diesel Multiple Unit Class 108 LO262 is planned to take charge of the days trains

Refreshments are available at Butterley Station Buffet and at Swanwick Junction Station on the Main Platform.

TUGS The Exhibition merchandise will be available from the main Display area.
At Swanwick Junction, there will also be pop up shop selling a range of children’s television series merchandise. The Gift Shop at Butterley is also open throughout the event.

Today’s Fares : Adult £18 • Senior 65+ £17 • Child (3-15) £10 • Child Under 3 Free • Family (2A&3C) £46 • Carer / Disabled £9 • Dog £2.
Pre-booking advised.

PLEASE NOTE :
Arriving for the 15:15 train will not give much time to see the TUGS™ display or explore the Swanwick Junction site.

The TUGS™ display will close promptly at 15:30.

Access to the event is from Butterley Station, where the Car Parking is FREE, making it even better to enjoy a full day of railway fun. Please arrive 30 minutes before your planned main train ride as the trains will depart on time.

This week's pays tribute to a fan who, despite being on the other side of the world in Australia, still wanted to make...
14/10/2026

This week's pays tribute to a fan who, despite being on the other side of the world in Australia, still wanted to make a contribution to the Exhibition and helped us out in the early days.

When we initially received Billy Shoepack, he was missing a chunk of his deck, and we didn't have a face for him. In 2014, we received a kind message from Jonas, who kindly offered to sculpt and send a replica for us to use.

The sculpt was received and used regularly at events in the early days, and did an excellent job of tiding us over.

Since then, we have had replica casts made for Shoepack, and been able to use his surviving original faces from the series through their owner, and our friend, Elliot.

The replica remains with the model and the collection. It's an important part of Tugs Exhibition history, and a reminder of the genuine support and kindness we've received, and are genuinely grateful for.

Jonas, if you're still following the page, we thank you again, and hope you'll pay us a visit one day soon!

Another Fan Day shout out. Around eight years ago, our pal Callum donated a copy of the rare, and difficult to find, 199...
13/10/2026

Another Fan Day shout out.

Around eight years ago, our pal Callum donated a copy of the rare, and difficult to find, 1990 TUGS Annual.

It's gestures like this that are deeply appreciated, and add a little something to telling the story of TUGS for the Exhibition. Thank you very much again!

t's Tuesday, so it's ! Each week we will be showcasing the dedication, support, hard work and enjoyment, that Tugs fans...
13/10/2026

t's Tuesday, so it's !

Each week we will be showcasing the dedication, support, hard work and enjoyment, that Tugs fans have, with there own creations, some of which have been donated to us.

This week, we feature the work of thesodorengines on DeviantArt and their interpretation of Top Hat and Sunshine encountering the SS Chimera from the Tugs Audio drama, Chimera.

If you have anything you'd like to see featured for Fan Day feature, please message us so we can add it to our schedule!

Ten Cents is absolutely buzzing for TUGS Day at Midland Railway Butterley on the 17th of October. Join us for a trip dow...
12/10/2026

Ten Cents is absolutely buzzing for TUGS Day at Midland Railway Butterley on the 17th of October.

Join us for a trip down memory lane with the Tugs of Bigg City Port!

View a display of original Character Models, Production Props and Merchandise, created and brought to the small screen by the original production team of Thomas The Tank Engine & Friends™ – a real treat for fans old and new.

Check out our event page here:
https://fb.me/e/4S9HVWQtj

Tickets are available to book now:
https://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/whats-on/join-us-for-a-trip-down-memory-lane-with-the-1988-1989-childrens-television-series-tugs/

Don’t forget to bring your camera!

Our home base of twelve years, Midland Railway - Butterley, is in need of public support and funding.For the last 5 year...
11/10/2026

Our home base of twelve years, Midland Railway - Butterley, is in need of public support and funding.

For the last 5 years, the Matthew Kirtley Building has been closed, meaning visitors could not access the unique collection of railway items & vehicles it houses.

The Matthew Kirtley Building (MKB), the Main Exhibition Hall at the Midland Railway- Butterley, is in urgent need of roof and guttering repairs and the collection is now suffering rapid deterioration, which will ultimately result in costly restoration if we don’t act now!

In periods of heavy rain, water pours into the building and is causing massive damage to the building’s main structure and the vehicles it houses.

The Midland Railway Trust now needs to raise £40,000 to make this happen, and we need your help!

Please help us now with a donation of any size so that we can secure this historic collection and carry on telling the story of the famous Midland Railway to future generations.

More information is available on the railway's website https://www.midlandrailway-butterley.co.uk/roof-fund/

or click the link to our gofundme page:-https://gofund.me/58086520

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Butterley Station
Ripley
DE53QZ

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+441773570140

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