The Inevitable has evidenced itself

Though it seemed my son had sworn an early allegiance to anything John Deere or Caterpillar, the inevitable has finally arrived at our house:

Thomas the Tank Engine

After reading countless books and, consequently, learning the difference between a backhoe and front loader, and excavator and a skid steer, all my newly acquired knowledge must be put on a mental shelf to make way for Thomas, and Percy, and James, and Harold, and.......

All aboard!