A steam train enthusiast from Hereford has turned his £1 million lottery win into a remarkable collection of Thomas the Tank Engine memorabilia, now valued at a staggering amount akin to a real steam locomotive. Neil Leighton, 26, spent £40,000 of his winnings on an extensive array of toy trains and related items from the beloved children’s series, demonstrating that passion can yield both joy and financial value.
Leighton became a lottery millionaire after winning the Cash Bolt Christmas Millionaire game in December 2023, shortly after downloading the National Lottery app. Initially, he envisioned purchasing a full-size steam engine, but an opportunity arose to invest in the memorabilia from the original Thomas the Tank Engine television series.
“I’m very glad I did,” Leighton remarked. “The collection has proved a wise investment. I recently had it valued, and it’s about the same as a reasonably priced real steam engine.”
A Passionate Investment in Nostalgia
After winning, Leighton treated friends to a luxury getaway and enhanced his home with railway-themed decor, including a photograph of a steam engine in the entrance hall and a poster of Sir Topham Hatt, the series’ iconic station controller. Yet, the bulk of his expenditure went towards acquiring props from the show, which he purchased at auction earlier this year.
“I bought a load of props, including models of the carriages, main sheds, and many of the buildings you see in the background of the series,” he explained. Some items needed renovation, but he enlisted the help of friends to restore the original pieces.
Leighton’s collection includes a diverse range of miniature items, from tiny lampposts to decorative elements that reflect the whimsical world of Thomas the Tank Engine. “I spent more than £40,000 in total—money I couldn’t have previously dreamed of spending—but it turns out to have been a great investment,” he shared.
Looking back on his life since the win, Leighton expressed gratitude for the experiences he has been able to provide for his family and friends. He treated fourteen friends to a luxurious five-star holiday, complete with a yacht.
“The icing on the cake has to be this incredible collection of memorabilia. It’s not the obvious choice for a National Lottery millionaire, but if winning is about making dreams come true, it absolutely has done that,” he said.
From Childhood Memories to Community Engagement
Leighton’s passion for trains began at the tender age of three during outings with his grandfather, Bynon, who introduced him to the joys of railways. “One of my earliest memories was going for a Thomas the Tank Engine trip for the first time at Severn Valley Railway. I travelled on a steam train with my grandad,” he recounted.
His grandfather, a farmer with a love for trains, passed away in 2020, before Leighton could share his lottery win with him. “He would have loved all of the trains and memorabilia I’ve collected,” he reflected.
Since his life-changing win, Leighton has dedicated himself to supporting various railway projects. He has become involved in preserving the legacy of Reverend W. Awdry, the creator of Thomas the Tank Engine, and volunteers at the historic Talyllyn Railway in Wales, which inspired Awdry to write his narrow-gauge stories.
“We run an annual Awdry extravaganza event, and I’ve been able to join the committee. We recently raised £150,000 for the railway,” Leighton stated. He enjoys meeting fellow enthusiasts and has even become a recognizable figure among train fans, signing autographs at events.
Leighton’s story illustrates how a lottery win can lead to unexpected journeys, blending nostalgia with community engagement, and transforming a childhood passion into a meaningful legacy.
