Day Out With Thomas - Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat at 25 Plains Road, Essex, CT 06426. Directions here.

Day Out With Thomas is being held on two weekends in 2010: May 8-9, and May 15-16. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note that you need to purchase tickets for a specific departure time.

Tickets will go on sale Feb 8, 2010.

Tickets are $18.00 (Ages 2 and up)

Tickets are available by clicking on the www.ticketweb.com/dowt icon on the Day Out With Thomas main page or by calling Ticketweb at (866) 468-7630.

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.

Trains depart on 45 minute intervals, from 9:00 a.m. through 3:45 p.m.

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 Thomas train ride is approximately 30 minutes.

There is one train ride per ticket.

Directions to the Essex Steam Train can be found here; look for signs for Day Out With Thomas� parking.

Due to the popularity of Thomas the Tank Engine, some remote lots and shuttle buses will be in use. Handicapped parking will be available on site.

No, parking and shuttle bus is included.

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.

Yes, a variety of food is available for purchase onsite.

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 Essex Steam Train & Riverboat grounds are handicap accessible, but the train is not. Please call (800) 377-3987 if you have questions or concerns.

No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas.

You can find information about nearby restaurants and lodging, and other tourist attractions here

You can find the complete Day Out With Thomas 2010 schedule by clicking on www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt.



	PRE-EVENT INFORMATION What is Day Out With Thomas™? 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. Who is Thomas the Tank Engine? 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. What are the appropriate ages for Day Out With Thomas? Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes passengers of all ages. Where is the event? Thomas the Tank Engine will be visiting the Essex Steam Train & Riverboat at 25 Plains Road, Essex, CT 06426. Directions here. When is the event? Day Out With Thomas is being held on two weekends in 2010: May 8-9, and May 15-16. The event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note that you need to purchase tickets for a specific departure time. When do tickets go on sale? Tickets will go on sale Feb 8, 2010. How much are tickets? Tickets are $18.00 (Ages 2 and up) How do I purchase tickets? Tickets are available by clicking on the www.ticketweb.com/dowt icon on the Day Out With Thomas main page or by calling Ticketweb at (866) 468-7630. Who needs tickets? Tickets are required for guests ages two and up. What is included in the ticket price? 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. How will I receive my tickets? 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. Are there any refunds? There will be no refunds or exchanges. Will Thomas the Tank Engine be there? 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. Will Sir Topham Hatt be there? 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. Do you recommend purchasing tickets in advance? 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. DAY OF EVENT INFORMATION What times do trains depart? Trains depart on 45 minute intervals, from 9:00 a.m. through 3:45 p.m. When should we arrive for our train ride with Thomas? It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure. Is there assigned seating on the train? Tickets are assigned by time. Guests must be together during boarding if they wish to sit together on the train. How long is the train ride? The Thomas train ride is approximately 30 minutes. Are you limited to just one train ride? There is one train ride per ticket. How do I get to there? Directions to the Essex Steam Train can be found here; look for signs for Day Out With Thomas� parking. Is there parking available on site? Due to the popularity of Thomas the Tank Engine, some remote lots and shuttle buses will be in use. Handicapped parking will be available on site. Is there an additional cost for parking? No, parking and shuttle bus is included. What if there is inclement weather? Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine. Are cameras allowed? Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo album. Will there be food available? Yes, a variety of food is available for purchase onsite. Are strollers permitted? 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. Is the event handicap accessible? The Essex Steam Train & Riverboat grounds are handicap accessible, but the train is not. Please call (800) 377-3987 if you have questions or concerns. Are pets allowed? No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas. Is there available lodging in the area? You can find information about nearby restaurants and lodging, and other tourist attractions here How do I find out about other events? You can find the complete Day Out With Thomas 2010 schedule by clicking on www.thomasandfriends.com/dowt.