Thomas the Tank Engine thrills thousands

Thomas the Tank Engine 
arrives at the Railway
History Center

It has been a full 20 years since Thomas the Tank Engine first visited the Northwest Railway Museum in Snoqualmie.  While the event is structured differently today, the guest of honor remains the highlight of the event.

Scratch the Cat
visits with Eric Ode 

In 2022, Day Out With Thomas at the Northwest Railway Museum consisted of a shuttle ride with Thomas from the Snoqualmie Depot to the Railway History Center.  After an hour of excitement including live music from Eric Ode, a visit with Sir Topham Hatt, Thomas play tables, railway museum exhibits, model trains, a maze and a selection of Thomas-themed games, guests had an opportunity to get a photo with Thomas and then go on an extended excursion to Snoqualmie Falls, returning to the Snoqualmie Depot shortly thereafter.

Sir Topham Hatt greets
visitors of all ages

Thomas the Tank Engine stories originated in the United Kingdom in 1945.  The Reverend Wilbert Audry created the stories for his son Christopher who was ill at the time.  The popularity of the stories was amplified when they transitioned to television in the early 1980s.  In North America, Thomas the Tank Engine began visiting heritage railways about 20 years ago.  His first visit to the Pacific Northwest was in July 2002 when he traveled to Snoqualmie.

Thomas the Tank stops to
smell the day lilies.

Day Out With Thomas 2022 was fully subscribed and operated without any major disruption.  Stay tuned for announcements regarding Thomas's return in 2023!

Day Out With Thomas returns in July!

 

Thomas the Tank Engine is returning to Snoqualmie this July, but he made a brief appearance on May 18 when he stopped at the Snoqualmie Depot for water, and to let his driver have a short break.  Thomas the Tank Engine is on his way to greet families in British Columbia, but will soon return for his grand event here in Snoqualmie.

The Very Useful Engine took a few moments to speak with Snoqualmie's new mayor, Katherine Ross.  And Mayor Ross welcomed a few of Snoqualmie's younger residents, as they too wanted to say hello to Thomas the Tank Engine.

Join us for Day Out With Thomas 2022 at the Northwest Railway Museum, July 8-10, 15-17, and 23 & 24.  For more information, visit Thomas.TrainMuseum.org

Day Out With Thomas with a destination!

Thomas the Tank Engine returned to the Snoqualmie Valley in July, but it wasn't just any visit.  During last year's pandemic closure, the Northwest Railway Museum made many site improvements to the Railway History Center.  This prepared the new campus for its first-ever visit with Thomas the Tank Engine!

Prior Day Out With Thomas events were held in historic downtown Snoqualmie.  The grounds around the Snoqualmie Depot were fenced off, tents were erected, and a variety of event-related infrastructure was set up to support the event.  This resulted in successful events, but the site was smaller than the Museum preferred, and it was costly to provide all the temporary infrastructure.

The "new" Day Out With Thomas was a very different experience: Thomas the Tank Engine took all his guests to a museum.  

Passengers boarded the train downtown at the historic Snoqualmie Depot for a short excursion to the Railway History Center.  They arrived and were greeted with a Thomas-themed museum experience that included a visit with Sir Topham Hatt, live music by Eric Ode on the BIG Cedar Tree Stage, bubble tables, a hay bale labyrinth, outdoor games, model trains and more.  

Guests got to tour the exhibit hall and see steam locomotive 924, the chapel car, and even tour a caboose.  Then they boarded a train with Thomas the Tank Engine for a SECOND excursion that took them to Snoqualmie Falls, and then safely returned them to the Snoqualmie Depot.

The "new" Day Out With Thomas was so successful that a second event is now planned for September 11 & 12, 2021.  Why not let Thomas take you on a trip?  Please visit Thomas.TrainMuseum.org for more details or to purchase tickets.

Thomas the Tank Engine is thrilling thousands

July 12 was the first Day Out With Thomas for 2019 at the Northwest Railway Museum.  Thousands of children and their families came to see and experience Thomas the Tank Engine at his very best.  Check out these scenes from the first day; tickets and information are at Thomas.TrainMuseum.org

Thomas the Tank Engine arrives

Thomas the Tank Engine travels between heritage railways on a special truck, and on an unusually warm Wednesday, June 12 he arrived in North Bend for trans-loading to the high iron.  On hand to greet this VIE (Very Important Engine) was one of his biggest fans, Otto L.  Otto is 3 year of age, and a resident of North Bend.  He was so excited to see his hero pull up in front of the North Bend Depot.  Otto says, "Thumbs up for Thomas!"

Day Out With Thomas is an event for children 2 to 5 years of age - and sometimes for those of us much older who still LOVE Thomas.  It features a ride on a century-old train to Snoqualmie Falls, live music, a Thomas toy tent, Thomas story time, a puppet show, a bouncy house, and even a ride behind a Kalamazoo motor car!  There is also a photo opportunity with Thomas, and an opportunity to go inside the cab of a locomotive.  This is an event for all the important Thomas the Tank Engine fans in your life!

Day Out With Thomas 2019 is scheduled for July 12-14 & 19-21, 2019.  Tickets are available in the Depot Bookstore (inside the Snoqualmie Depot) daily from 10 to 5, or from TicketWeb.

Day Out With Thomas 2019

Toot, toot, toot!   The Northwest Railway Museum is pleased to welcome Thomas the Tank Engine back to Snoqualmie, Washington this summer.  Day Out With Thomas will steam into the Snoqualmie Valley July 12 - 14 and July 19 - 21, 2019.


Thomas the Tank Engine is a popular children's storybook character that first appeared in print in 1945.  Today, he has a world-wide following, and we are so happy to welcome him back to the Snoqualmie Depot for his 17th annual visit. 

Day Out With Thomas is a fun-filled family event that includes not just a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, but live music, train tables, story time, Thomas and Friends videos, a Thomas bouncy castle, motor car rides, and more.  Your ticket includes everything except food and merchandise.

This year there are two sensory-friendly trains offered for families with special needs.  One train will be on Friday, July 19 and the other on Sunday, July 21.  If this is an option that will best-serve your family, please email the Museum at info@TrainMuseum.org to request ticketing.

Tickets for this popular event are available through TicketWeb, but may also be purchased in the Depot Bookstore in the Snoqualmie Depot, daily between 10 AM and 5 PM.

Day Out With Thomas 2018

2018 is Day Out With Thomas' "Sweet 16" at the Northwest Railway Museum!  It all began in 2002 with the first event in Snoqualmie, and this year's "Big Adventures, Bigger Memories" tour continues the tradition; tickets are on sale now for July 13 - 15 and 20 - 22.

Day Out With Thomas is an experience with Thomas the Tank Engine, the fabled storybook character first introduced to children in 1945.  Thomas is "the really useful engine" who has adventures on the Island of Sodor.  Once a year, Thomas the Tank Engine travels off the island to visit children at heritage railways. The Snoqualmie Valley is one of the regular stops.

Day Out With Thomas in Snoqualmie is a fun-filled experience for children of all ages, but is designed for children 3 - 5 years of age.  Motor car rides, a bouncy house, live music, train tables, story time, a puppet show, and a model train are some of the activities included with admission.  For an extra charge, professional photos are available, and food vendors are located on site and across the street. A gift shop has unique Thomas-themed merchandise too.

New in 2018 is a special sensory-friendly train on Sunday, July 22 at 9 AM.  This limited event time is for families with children who have special needs.  Please contact the Snoqualmie Depot Bookstore at (425) 888-3030 Extension 7202 daily from 10 AM - 5 PM to make a reservation and purchase a ticket. Or call after hours and leave a message!

Live music in 2018 will feature noted artists Eric Ode, Nancy Stewart, and the talented Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies.  These local artists have produced unique children's music, and are excellent live performers too.  Do you know your Animal ABC's?  How about that Barn Cat? Come and check out the live music too!

Day Out With Thomas is running July 13 - 15 and July 20 - 22.  Tickets are available through an online ticketing system, or from the Depot Bookstore in Snoqualmie.

Thomas the Tank Engine arrives!

That very useful engine rolled into North Bend this week in advance of Day Out With Thomas 2018.  Thomas the Tank Engine traveled all the way from an event in Canada.  He moved on the State and Provincial highway systems using a special truck trailer.  In North Bend, a locomotive and an "idler" car coupled onto Thomas and pulled him back onto the railway track.

When he awoke from his nap, neighborhood children rushed to the North Bend Depot to welcome him to the Snoqualmie Valley.  Children of all ages took a moment to pose for a photo with him, too.

When all the diplomatic pleasantries concluded - and after railway workers conducted a thorough safety inspection to make sure he had arrived safely - Thomas the Tank Engine got up his courage to cross the Big, Big Bridge (aka Bridge 35), and continue his journey to Snoqualmie.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be appearing in Snoqualmie at Day Out With Thomas July 13 - 15 and 20 - 22.  Tickets and more information are available on the Museum's special Thomas page at www.Thomas.TrainMuseum.org  Thomas the Tank Engine is looking forward to seeing you there!

Thomas we love you . . .

 The Northwest Railway Museum's annual Day Out With Thomas 2017 is underway!  Thomas the Tank Engine is visiting the Museum this week and next, and more than 16,000 people will see the Really Useful Engine as he pulls the Museum's train to Snoqualmie Falls. Tickets are available at TicketWeb!  Check out some scenes from the first day, and as always click on the image to enlarge:

The train passes Puget Sound Energy's Hydro plant museum.

Brian Vogan and his Good Buddies!

Visitors arriving at Day Out With Thomas.

Ready, set, go!

Locomotive 4024

Thomas the Tank Engine

Will call tickets

Engine drivers

Thomas the Tank Engine in depot square park

Motor car rides

Eric Ode

Train tables

Thomas the Tank Engine arrives at the Snoqualmie Falls depot

Day Out With Thomas 2016

The Really Useful Engine has arrived in Snoqualmie!

Thomas the Tank Engine® will be shunting trucks and hauling freight, and he would like to take you and your children for an excursion too!  Day Out With Thomas® is happening in Snoqualmie on July 15 - 17 and 22 - 24, 2016. Tickets are $23 on Fridays and $25 on weekends; they include the activities and a train excursion with Thomas the Tank Engine. 

Please visit the Northwest Railway Museum web site to purchase tickets or to learn more information: Day Out With Thomas in Snoqualmie.  Toot, toot!
® Thomas the Tank Engine and Day Out With Thomas are Registered Trademarks of Thomas (Gullane) LLC.

Scenes from Day Out With Thomas 2014

The Day Out With Thomas Thrill of the Ride Tour was another successful event at the Northwest Railway Museum! Nearly 16,000 guests enjoyed a visit with Thomas the Tank Engine, and a multitude of activities.  This 13th annual visit of that Very Useful Engine was skillfully staffed by many of the Museum's 130 active volunteers who contributed hundreds of hours doing everything from checking tickets to running the locomotive to guiding visitors to applying tattoos to emptying garbage.  And the Santa Cruz Portland Cement 2 steam locomotive even made a cameo appearance to let everyone know about Snoqualmie Railroad Days on August 15 - 17.  Check out these scenes from this year's fabulous event -

Coach 218 was at the head of the
train during Day Out With Thomas.

Sir Topham Hatt greeeted
visitors throughout the
event.

Motor car rides were a highlight for
many children and their parents.

A variety of Thomas-
themed merchandise was
offered in the retail tent.

Digital play stations debuted in this
year's Imagination Station.

  Scratch the cat visited    
this year too!                  

Eric Ode presented a variety of
material throughout the event.

Live steam locomotive models operated
on a layout during the event.

Photo opportunities with
Thomas the Tank Engine
were available from JED
Photography.

Punch and Judy was performed by
Clay Martin throughout the event.

Great food from Snoqualmie Falls
Candy Factory and Sahara's Pizza
was enjoyed by many throughout the
day.

Families could take their own photo
with Thomas too!

There were lots of learning
opportunities too.

US Plywood 11 was a featured exhibit.

Hi Thomas!

Santa Cruz Portland
Cement 2 was a special
guest who will return on
Railroad Days, Aug 15 -
17.

The splendid newly rehabilitated
interior in coach 218, a 1912-built
wood car that ran between Vancouver
and Spokane.