Thomas the Tank Engine is coming to town!

Come spend a Day Out With Thomas! This July 10 - 12 and 17 -19, 2009, Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie. Tickets are available in person at the Snoqualmie Depot for $18, or via TicketWeb for $18 plus a dispensing fee. Tickets are required for everyone 2 years and older and include everything except food and merchandise.

Day Out With Thomas features a variety of activities including story telling, railway motor car rides, model trains, Lego trains, video viewing, temporary tattoos, and of course a ride behind Thomas the Tank Engine to Snoqualmie Falls!

So who is Thomas the Tank Engine? The Reverend Wilbert Awdry, an Anglican clergyman, developed the idea that became Thomas the Tank Engine in 1943. Thomas and his railway friends were invented by Awdry to entertain his young son Christopher, who was in isolation recovering from the measles. The Reverend made up the early stories and young Christopher insisted on hearing each story again and again. But when the Vicar retold a story from memory, he sometimes amended some of the details, which Christopher instantly recognized. To ensure consistency, Awdry had to begin keeping notes to remind him of the details, a record that later developed into the stories that were first published in 1945. Since then, Thomas has captivated generations of children with his adventures on the Island of Sodor. These stories have grown in popularity and were depicted on the children's television program called Shining Time Station, and remain popular in print and on video.

Thomas the Tank Engine first appeared in Awdry’s stories in 1946. He is (technically speaking) based on a 0-6-0T Class E2 shunting engine built for the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway in the late 19th Century. The Thomas the Tank Engine that will visit the Northwest Railway Museum is a replica that is visiting railway museums up and down the west coast.

Day Out With Thomas is one of the largest events the Museum hosts and is expected to attract nearly 17,000 people to Snoqualmie. Advance tickets were offered beginning in late April; the event often sells out. Visit the Northwest Railway Museum web site for more information.

Day Out With Thomas is a trademark of Gullane (Thomas) Ltd. and is licensed by Hit Entertainment.