Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™ at regional heritage railroads across the country.

Since Thomas the Tank Engine left the depot more than 65 years ago, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching the life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation.

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

The event is held at the N.C. Transportation Museum, at 411 S. Salisbury Avenue, Spencer, NC 28159.

This year's Day Out With Thomas will be held Sept.23 - 25 and Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.

Tickets are on sale now!

Tickets are $19 on weekends, or $17 on Fridays for ages 2 and up. Museum members get $2 off weekend tickets with ID number (limit 6). 

Tickets can be purchased online, by clicking the red "By Tickets" box on the Day Out With Thomas page.  Tickets can also be purchased at the museum either before the event, or on the day of the event.  But to get the most preferred ride times, it is best to buy in advance.

Tickets are required for guests ages two and up.

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.

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.

There will be no refunds or exchanges.

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

Yes, Sir Topham Hatt will take time away from his busy schedule as Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor to meet and take pictures with guests.

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.

Friday train rides depart at 10, 10:45, 11:30 a.m. 12:45, 1:30, 2:15, 3, 3:45, 4:30 and 5:15 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday rides depart at the same time with some additional morning rides, at 8:30 and 9:15 a.m. on Saturdays and at 9:15 a.m. on Sundays.

It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure.

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

The train ride is about 3 miles long and takes about 25 minutes.

There is one train ride per ticket.

The N.C. Transportation museum is conveniently located just minutes from I-85 in Spencer, N.C., within an hour's drive from Charlotte, Greensboro, or Winston Salem.  From I-85, take Exit 79 and follow the brown Historic Sites directional signs.  You can also take North Carolina's Amtrak train to get to the event.  Feel free to visit www.bytrain.org for more information on train ride schedules and pricing. 

There is parking available on site, with no charge.  Additional parking is available across the street, however, this is not museum property and there may be a parking fee.

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Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine.

Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo album.

Approximately ten food vendors will be on site, mostly area civic groups with very reasonable prices.  The museum has three picnic shelters, or if you prefer, you are permitted to leave the site and return during the day.  There are a few nice restaurants in Spencer, and Salisbury has an excellent selection.

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.

The train has a wheelchair lift.  If you have specific requests, simply ask a staff person who will do their best to acommodate your needs.

No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas.

There are a variety of hotels and bed and breakfast establishments nearby in Salisbury, just a few miles from the museum.  For more information on lodging, please visit the Rowan Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

You can find the complete Day Out With Thomas 2011 schedule by clicking here.