National Lottery winner splashes out on Thomas the Tank Engine models worth as much as REAL train in staggering purchase with £1m scoop

The 26-year-old struck gold playing the Cash Bolt Christmas Millionaire game in December 2023, merely 48 hours after installing the National Lottery mobile application.

The train aficionado originally contemplated acquiring a genuine steam locomotive with his windfall.

However, he channelled funds into authentic props and collectibles from the cherished children's television programme.

A recent professional appraisal revealed the collection has grown to roughly match the cost of a moderately-priced real steam engine, validating what the collector describes as a "wise investment".

The millionaire's treasure trove contains original television props acquired at auction, featuring model carriages, engine sheds and miniature structures visible in the programme's backdrop.

"After my win an opportunity came up to invest memorabilia from the original Thomas the Tank Engine TV show and I'm very glad I did," he explained.

His collection includes minute details like one-centimetre-tall champagne bottles and flutes, tiny bunting, miniature cream cakes and foolscap folders.

Some items required restoration, which he undertook with assistance from friends.

"Who knew that my love of trains and a TV show would prove to be such a good investment," he remarked about the £40,000 expenditure.

The lottery winner's generosity extended beyond railway memorabilia. He whisked 14 friends away on an opulent five-star villa retreat featuring yacht access, whilst also treating relatives to memorable getaways.

"It's not all trains. I have been able to take my family on some amazing holidays and treated 14 mates to a brilliant five-star villa holiday complete with yacht, and I have my lovely home," Leighton stated.

His railway fascination originated during childhood excursions with his grandfather Bynon, a farmer who shared his grandson's enthusiasm for locomotives.

At three years old, Leighton experienced his inaugural Thomas the Tank Engine journey at Severn Valley Railway.

"Grandad had been a farmer, but he loved trains, and built me a track with a loop, which I played with endlessly," he recalled.

The millionaire dedicates considerable time to preserving railway heritage, volunteering at Talyllyn Railway in Wales - the narrow-gauge line that inspired Reverend W. Awdry's original Railway Series books published in 1945.

He said: "We run an annual Awdry extravaganza event, and I've been able to join the committee to run it.

"We recently raised £150,000 for the railway."

His newfound celebrity status attracts international visitors who request autographs, recognising him as both a railway devotee and lottery winner.

The Thomas television adaptation, which premiered in the 1980s, produced 584 episodes depicting trains adventuring across the fictional island of Sodor.

Most famously, the series was narrated by former Beatle, Ringo Starr.