If you have a Thomas the Tank Engine fan in your family, Day Out with Thomas, happening this weekend at the North Carolina Transportation Museum in Spencer, cannot be missed. Friday, October 6 through Sunday, October 8, 2017, your little ones have the chance to meet and ride with the cheeky No. 1 blue engine, Thomas the Tank all the way from the Island of Sodor!
On a gorgeous Sunday, my family and I were able to take this once-in-a-lifetime trip with Thomas, and it was simply fantastic. Though it is an event for all ages, my four year old son and 6 year old daughter were the perfect ages to fully enjoy the experience and were thrilled when we announced we would be taking a trip to see the REAL Thomas in Spencer, NC, which is about an hour east of Hickory near Salisbury. When we arrived, we immediately saw not only Thomas but also Percy! Even Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway, was ready to meet and greet all his eager guests!
Although a ticket is for an assigned ride time, included with the admission is a wide variety of activities and entertainment that could easily fill the entire day. Some of the activities included storytelling, arts and crafts, carnival games, a hay maze, inflatables, and plenty of bubbles. Thomas and Friends music played throughout the fully decorated campus, which created a festive and immersive atmosphere. I was pleased that all the additional activities were included in the price of admission, including face painting, a staffed temporary tattoo station, and a stamper scavenger hunt, which concluded with a nice prize of colorful bands that served as great souvenir of the day.
There were several free play opportunities themed around the Sodor friends, including a shaded sand play area with rocking chairs for the grown ups and several stations with train tables, Mega Bloks, ride-on and imaginative toys—just think Santa’s workshop Thomas-ized! Rounding out the entertainment is magic shows and music performances scheduled several times throughout the day. The live performances of kids favorites, as well as classics like “Ticket to Ride,” filled the roundhouse and was enjoyed by kids and adults alike.
Of course, the main event is the train ride, which takes passengers on a three-mile trek on the heritage rails of the NC Transportation Museum. Many of the younger passengers cheered as Thomas pulled into the boarding area. With his fully animated face and billowing smoke stack, you cannot help but throw up a hand to wave “hello,” too! The conductor stamps your ticket and crewmembers help each family into the train car, which is decorated and playing all your favorite Sodor tunes. I especially liked our crewmember, who took his time to talk to each family and ensure the kids were smiling and enjoying their day.
The Transportation Museum is an amazing destination all its own, with many engines, planes, antique cars and trucks on display. In addition, area miniature train clubs had their intricate model trains and scenes on display. To round out the day, several civic groups had food available at very reasonable prices, although I also saw many folks enjoying picnics from home as well. A trolley ran from the parking lot into the heart of the event several times throughout the day for anyone who needed to quickly get back to the parking lot.
You do not want to miss out on this chance to spend the day with Thomas and friends! Ride times are available throughout the weekend, starting at $20 on Friday and $22 for Saturday and Sunday; children under 2 are free. (Note the museum campus is closed to anyone without a ticket for the event.) Tickets for Day Out with Thomas: The Friendship Tour 2017 are on sale now and available by calling Ticketweb toll-free 866-468-7630, or by visiting www.ticketweb.com/dowt.
For more information and directions, contact the N.C. Transportation Museum by calling 704-636-2889 or online at www.nctrans.org. For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com. Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @ThomasFriends.
Disclaimer: The author of this article received complimentary tickets for her family for the purpose of this review; no other compensation was provided. All opinions expressed herein are her own.
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