If you go
› What: A Day Out With Thomas› Where: Tennesee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road› When: Multiple times, Saturdays and Sundays April 28-29, May 5, 6 and 12› Tickets: $21 ages 2 and older; $4 discount for groups of 20 or more when ordered together in advance› For more information: www.tvrail.com or 866-468-7630.
The classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, rolls into town this weekend for the 19th annual A Day Out with Thomas at the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum.
Thomas the Tank Engine will take passengers and their families on a 25-minute ride from the TVRM's grand junction station on Cromwell Road to Missionary Ridge and back.
"It's not just a train ride," said Steve Freer, TVRM operations supervisor. "We also have special Thomas music that plays and decorations and the conductors hand out special junior engineer certificates to kids on board the train."
Freer says the visit by Thomas is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year for the railroad museum. Average attendance for the event is about 15,000 people, he says. But, in 2007, the crowd hit an all-time high of 22,000 people.
Thomas the Tank Engine is known by preschoolers across the country because of the "Thomas and Friends" television show.
The Rev. Wilbert Awdry, a father who loved trains and wanted to share the experience with his son, wrote the first Thomas story in 1946 as part of The Railway Series. The book was developed into an award-winning television series in 1984.
A Day Out with Thomas includes temporary tattoos, petting zoo, miniature golf, coloring pages, bounce house, video viewing, a magic show and storytelling. Passengers may also get their pictures taken with the director of the Sodor Railway, Sir Topham Hat.
TVRM officials advise purchasing tickets in advance because the event sometimes sells out. Tickets purchased in advance may be picked up at Will Call the day of the event.
Thomas will be available for rides Saturdays and Sundays, April 28-29, May 5-6 and May 12. Tickets are $21 ages 2 and older. Children under age 2 may ride free, but must sit on a parent's lap.
Tickets are available online at www.tvrail.com or by calling Ticketweb at 866-468-7630.
Contact Yolanda Putman at yputman@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6431.