At one, I doubt he cares much! lol.
Although... I got my DD a dry-erase table when she was about 1.5, and she LOVES that thing and still uses it. I can't remember if it came in a Thomas theme, but it does come in Cars. I used dry-erase crayons instead of markers.
You might also get him a bubble mower! My DD LOVES pushing hers, and when we go to the park we always see a little boy with one. It's funny, because he will push it, and have an entire herd of kids chasing him to pop the bubbles. Even in an apartment, he can push it along the sidewalks or on the 'community lawn' if you have one. :)