All aboard! Your tickets are purchased and your little engineer is ready to go, go with Thomas! As you prepare for the big day, there’s still plenty of fun to be had.

Please click here to find the DOWT 2019 Checklist PDF download.

Here are some Really Useful Ideas to keep your child entertained as you count down to your Day Out With Thomas event.

• How much does your little engineer know about Thomas and his engine friends? Click here to meet the engines!
• If attending Day Out With Thomas at one of the locations and dates below, see the All Aboard for School Supplies Drive section to learn how you can help support Quality Education by donating school supplies at the event!
  • National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI: June 12-16
  • Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, PA:  June 22-30
  • Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL: July 13-14 & 20-21
  • Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, CA: July 26-28 & July 31-Aug 4
  • Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, MI: August 16-18 & 23-25
• Sing along with Thomas! Check out this playlist on the official Thomas & Friends YouTube channel!
• Watch Thomas & Friends episodes, movies, and more! The many ways to watch are listed here.
• Discover the latest Thomas & Friends apps and play some interactive games here.
• Practice your smile and get ready to meet Thomas! JED Photography will be available at all events to capture your special moment.
• Pick up the latest toy engines and track sets for your little engineer! Click here to shop toys and more.
• Looking for coloring pages, puzzles, or other printables? Click here for the latest Thomas & Friends activity sheets!

All Aboard! The big day has arrived! Your little engineer is spending a Day Out With Thomas. There is so much to do and see. Time to go full steam ahead!

• Take a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine™
  • Check the time on your ticket for your train ride. Make sure you locate and enter the boarding area at least 15 minutes before your train departure time. Feel free to arrive at the event site itself early to enjoy other activities before your train ride!
  • To add some learning to your day, count the train cars with your child. Take a best guess on how many train cars Thomas will be pulling and see who can get the closest.
  • Listen for Thomas who says Hello and Goodbye as he arrives and departs the station. Make sure to wave to Thomas and the conductors as they pass you throughout the event.
  • Don’t forget to accept your Junior Engineer Certificate while enjoying your ride with Thomas.
  • After your train ride, you can get in line and have your photo taken with Thomas. Photos and frames are also available to purchase at the event through JED Photography
• Meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Director of the Sodor Railway
  • Sir Topham Hatt is available for photos throughout each event day. He always tries to be On Track and On Time. Schedules may be posted for specific times to Meet Sir Topham Hatt.
  • As Controller of the Railway, Sir Topham Hatt knows all the engines but we know who his favorite is. Be sure to have your child tell him who their favorite engine is as well.
• Pick up your Day Out With Thomas Passport to Adventures upon arrival and visit each of the 4 Map Stamping locations. Once you collect all 4 stamps, you receive a free prize!
•  Play in the Imagination Station
  • New this year! Complete the Sustainable Development Goals activity sheet and earn your “Global Citizen Badge” sticker!
  • Build your track and create the stories of Thomas and his friends at the Wooden Railway Play Tables.
  • Can Thomas go faster? Slower? Higher? Lower? The TrackMaster™ free-play zone will help you discover.
  • Love to build? Play with MEGA Bloks and build up your favorite structures with your friends. Keep an eye out for the new Thomas MEGA Bloks!
  • Get creative with arts & crafts and coloring activities.
  • Get a temporary tattoo of your child's favorite engine.
  • Play Thomas games at the Thomas Digital Play Station.
• Relax with Storytelling and Entertainment
  • Hear stories about Thomas and his friends and their latest adventures and watch Thomas and his friends at the viewing station
  • Join a sing-a-long, watch a magician, or enjoy other exciting entertainment (All railroads offer additional entertainment. The type of entertainment available varies per Railroad.)
•  Check out the exclusive Day Out With Thomas gifts
  • Fill your basket with exclusive gifts that can only be found at Day Out With Thomas gift shops at each event. New items are made each year that are specific to the event and not available in stores!

From the train ride to the Imagination Station, your family enjoyed a fun-filled Day Out With Thomas. Your little engineer was smiling ear to ear upon meeting the #1 true blue engine and you made some new friends along the way. Here are a few ideas on how to share the wonderful memories!

• Ask your child questions about their Day Out:
  • What was their favorite activity at Day Out With Thomas?
  • Was Thomas bigger or smaller than they expected?
  • Was Sir Topham Hatt bigger or smaller than they expected?
  • Who is his/her favorite engine?
  • What is the difference between an engine and a train?
  • What sound does Thomas' whistle make?
  • Are they excited to come back and see Thomas again next year?
• Share photos from your day with Thomas by tagging @thomasandfriends and using #DayOutWithThomas.
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Instagram
• You forgot to buy photos at the event? Don’t worry! Head on over to JED Photography and find your photos from your Day Out With Thomas.
• Build a track layout with your child at home similar to your ride with Thomas! What did your child see on their train ride?
• Start planning your next Thomas & Friends outing by discovering more exciting Thomas events & attractions listed here, including Thomas Land at Edaville Family Theme Park!
• Help your little one complete the fun activities in their Day Out With Thomas Passport to Adventures booklet.
• Sleep – you've earned it!

Thank you for joining us at Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour. We look forward to seeing you again. Don't forget to tell your friends about the great time your family had at Day Out With Thomas! 

In 2018, Mattel launched a collaboration with the United Nations to introduce Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to preschoolers through the Thomas & Friends™ animated series, as well as other platforms.  New this year, Day Out With Thomas: The Steam Team Tour is incorporating the SDG of Quality Education into activities at its events, and also partnering with the United Way of Genesee County to kick off an educational initiative called the All Aboard for School Supplies Drive.

In select markets, Day Out With Thomas attendees are invited to donate much-needed school supplies in support of two pre-K programs in Flint, Michigan, Cummings and Educare, and earn a “Thomas & Friends Global Citizen Badge” for their support of Quality Education. These pre-K programs were created as a result of the Flint Water Crisis in an effort to combat developmental delays caused by lead poisoning from the Flint drinking system. By participating in the drive, your child can learn about the importance of enabling education for everyone, as well as helping other kids in need. The donation effort will culminate on August 15th when Thomas the Tank Engine™ will deliver the collected school supplies to the 600 children in Flint, MI during a special event at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad.

How can you help support Quality Education?

If you’re attending Day Out With Thomas at one of the locations and dates listed below, we invite you to bring a donation of school supplies to your event in support of Quality Education! Let’s reach our goal of collecting school supplies for the 600 children who need them!

• National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, WI: June 12-16
• Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, PA: June 22-30
• Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL: July 13-14 & 20-21
• Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, CA: July 26-28 & July 31-Aug 4
• Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, MI: August 16-18 & 23-25*

Families who would like to donate, but won’t be attending a Day Out With Thomas event participating in the drive, can mail or deliver in person their donation to the United Way of Genesee County during business hours.  Please make sure that the package is clearly labeled:

United Way of Genesee County
111 E Court Street
#3A
Flint, MI 48502
ATT: Thomas & Friends: All Aboard for School Supplies Drive

What school supplies are being accepted as donations?

Look for the donation bins in the Imagination Station area at your Day Out With Thomas event.

Please bring items from this list:

• Construction Paper
• Rulers
• Glue Sticks
• Pencils
• Crayons
• Scissors

United Nations Collaboration

Thomas & Friends have teamed up with the United Nations to teach families about the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals! Thomas & Friends hopes to inspire the next generation of global citizens, and start meaningful conversations and learning between children and parents. Six Sustainable Development Goals were chosen to be incorporated into the new Thomas & Friends series including: Gender Equality; Life on Land; Clean Water and Sanitation; Responsible Consumption and Production; Sustainable Cities and Communities; Quality Education. For more info about these goal, Parent Tips and activities, visit www.allaboardforglobalgoals.com

*Note that donations collected at the Day Out With Thomas events at Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad in Flint, MI will be sent to the pre-K programs, Cummings and Educare, at the end of August 2019.

 

ABOUT DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™

What is Day Out With Thomas™?

Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers children and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the No. 1 blue engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™, at heritage railroads across the country. In addition to the train ride, enjoy a day full of fun:

• Meet Sir Topham Hatt
• Meet Percy (at select events)
• Take a photo with Thomas
• Storytelling
• Videos
• Temporary Tattoos
• Arts & Crafts
• Receive your Junior Engineer Certificate
• Play with toy trains
• Get your Passport To Adventures booklet
• Complete the Sustainable Development Goals activity for your “Global Citizen Badge”
• Try the latest Thomas & Friends app
• Day Out With Thomas Gift Shop

Additional activities vary per railroad but may include:

• Bounce Houses
• Mini Golf
• Bean Bag Toss
• Face Painting
• Petting Zoo
• Hay Bale Maze
• Musical Entertainment
• Magicians
• Bubble areas
• Historical Trains
• “Pick You Own Minis” Gift Shop Experience
• “Ask An Engineer” Booth
• See an inflatable of Toby or Nia!

How can I learn more about the All Aboard for School Supplies Drive?

Please read the All Aboard for School Supplies Drive section above to learn about the drive, which Day Out With Thomas locations are participating in the drive and how you can help support Quality Education!

What are the appropriate ages for Day Out With Thomas?

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes passengers of all ages.

Will Thomas the Tank Engine be there?

Thomas the Tank Engine has traveled all the way from the Island of Sodor and has arrived Right on Time to take you and your family on a ride.

Will Sir Topham Hatt be there?

Yes, Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway on Sodor, will be visiting your Day Out With Thomas event to meet and take pictures with guests.

TICKET INFO

Where can I find the tour schedule and purchase tickets?

Tour dates and tickets for US and Canada locations are listed above! Select the railroad location to view train times and purchase tickets.

Who needs tickets?

Tickets are required for guests ages two and up.

What is included in the ticket price?

A ticket for Day Out With Thomas includes the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, including Storytelling and Video Viewing, Temporary Tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, and an Imagination Station with Arts & Crafts and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor.  Additional activities vary per railroad but may include bounce houses, mini golf, bean bag toss, face painting, and musical entertainment.

How will I receive my tickets?

If purchased three weeks or more in advance of the event, guests will receive their tickets in the mail. Guests that purchase tickets closer to the event date can pick up their tickets at Will Call the day of the event.

Are there any refunds?

There will be no refunds or exchanges.

Do you recommend purchasing tickets in advance?

Due to the popularity of Day Out With Thomas, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. It is not uncommon for events to sell out. When purchasing tickets you will be asked to select a specific date and time for your ride with Thomas. Your ticket is valid only for that date and time.

DAY OF EVENT INFO

When should we arrive for our train ride with Thomas?

It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure. Feel free to come as early as you’d like to enjoy all of the other activities before your train ride!

Is there assigned seating on the train?

Tickets are assigned by time. Guests must be together during boarding if they wish to sit together on the train.

How long is the train ride?

Approximately 20-25 minutes.

Are you limited to just one train ride?

There is one train ride per ticket.

Will any of Thomas’s friends be there?

Percy will be visiting select events during the 2019 Day Out With Thomas tour. Please check the ticketing page to see if he will be at your event. Tickets for Percy are listed as a combo ticket. They are not sold separately.

What if there is inclement weather?

Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine.

Are cameras allowed?

Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo album and to share online. Don’t forget to tag your photos with the hashtag #DayOutWithThomas!  JED Photography will also be available on-site to take professional photos of you with Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt.

Are strollers permitted?

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes guests of all ages. There is even a designated area for "stroller parking" during the train ride.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas.

How do I find out about other events?

For information on other Thomas & Friends experiences, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com and click on “Events.”

ABOUT THOMAS & FRIENDS™

Thomas the Tank Engine™ was created over 70 years ago, by a British clergyman, the Rev W Awdry, as a storybook for his son. That story quickly grew to become the award-winning #1 preschool train brand franchise it is today, enjoyed by families in more than 160 territories and over 55 languages across multiple touch-points and formats. In 2018, Thomas embarked on his first worldwide adventure in Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie, and the 22nd season of the animated series. As Thomas leaves the Island of Sodor to visit one exotic location after another, he’ll enjoy extraordinary experiences, encounter unique cultures and animals, and make many new friends along the way!