We spent a day out with Thomas three times -- once in Danbury, Conn. in Newport, RI, and in Portland, Maine.
Costs of tickets were about $15 to $20.00 flat fee each plus a handling charge. Money pays for Thomas' visit (administration costs) and the rest is usually fund raising for the historic train stations or museums where he visits.
Buy your tickets early and show up on time or you miss out. Tickets usually cannot be purchased the day of the event and if they are available, the lines are very very long and people beg other people to sell them yours as you walk through the gate. You will be asked what time you would like to board the train when you buy the tickets and you need to show up at that time (number of people are limited for insurance purposes hence that is why there are appointment times). The time you select is also on the ticket and you are committed to that time or you loose out.
Find out when Thomas will be around your area by going to Thomas the Tank Engine site and clicking the clock next to Sir Topham Hatt on the left bottom of the screen then a A Day Out with Thomas events. Events are only posted 6 months at a time in advance so you need to keep checking.
Danbury, Conn was not too much fun. We stayed at the Hilton Gardens, very nice place with a tiny pool but great continental breakfast. We got on the train and we ended up being last on one car and had to sit in folding seats not real train seats. We went forward and backward on the tracks and then changed tracks for only 15 minutes. They had a few activities there other than Thomas like tatooes and facepainting, plus Thomas stuff for sale. We got to go to the refurbished Railway Museum too.
Next was Newport, RI. We stayed at the Howard Johnson Inn in Middlebury it was near lots of shops some within walking distance (like the Christmas Tree shop). Nice pool there.
We went to the rail station and got on board. It was the Newport Dinner cars so we had seats with a table. The ride was 30 minutes and around Naraganssett Bay. The kids were given a Thomas coloring/fun sheet. It was really great. There was no railway museum there.
We met Sir Topham Hatt here and had our picture taken with him. My son got to ring Thomas' bell, a thrill of course.
The Portland, Maine Thomas was narrow gauge and tiny. My son asked why he shrunk. LOL Narrow gauge trains are and were used to transport people or product (like cranberries) through woods. They were popular means of transportation at the turn of the century when people had cabins in the woods in remote areas and needed to get to town periodically. The Portland ride was 30 minutes long along the Casco Bay. Very nice.
All Thomas events are preplanned and train stations make bids to have Thomas come years in advance by submitting various reports and going through a selection process. The train stations usually have to have a projection of how much income they will get from his visit and have high insurance costs too (part of the ticket price).
He comes late at night to the stations from his secret hiding place elswhere in the USA (I am not telling but I know where!).
Thomas does not really make the train go. He is just a decorative engine at the end of a train and a real train engine pushes or pulls him along the tracks so it seems like he is doing his job to the kids.
Basically -- if you go, you end up spending an hour or two at the place. They move people in and out fast because parking is at a premium. You may have to pay to park on the premises or may have to use a parking garage nearby. In Portland, we had to walk a mile to the train due to the location.
Baby carriages, umbrella strollers, and baby carriers are not allowed on the trains. There are designated carriage corrals so you can leave your stuff there.Bring plenty of money if you are going to buy Thomas stuff -- they have things that you typically do not see in your local shops.
Make sure your kids have snacks and drinks. Either place had food so come with something. Eating on the train was not permitted.
We are looking forward to visiting with Thomas again.
If you go to Webshots, type in the search: "Day out with Thomas the Tank or Thomas the Tank", and albums will come up. The day outs they have in England use other engines also like James and Percy. Your kids might enjoy seeing other people's pictures who kindly share such an event.
Hope this information helps you plan a wonderful day out with Thomas.
This page was written by Jean Laverdiere and updated on 5/07.
If you have anything to add as a suggestion for other families, please email me with your comments or suggestions: queen_of_inkland (at) yahoo (dot)com