The Day Out with Thomas is pulling into the Illinois Railway Museum

ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS Belvidere Daily Republican
Thomas the Tank Engine has traveled from the Island of Sodor to the Illinois Railway Museum to visit his young fans here in northern Illinois.

All aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine invites little engineers to join him and his best friend Percy for a day of big adventures and even bigger memories at Day Out with Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2018. Children everywhere are invited to spend the day with their friend Thomas when the #1 Engine and Percy pull into Union, Ill. on July 14 to 15 and 21 to 22. A Day Out with Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2018 is presented by Mattel.

This fun-filled event offers children and their families the opportunity to take a ride with Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy, stars of the popular Thomas & Friends series. In addition, they will meet Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway and enjoy a day of Thomas-themed activities including crafts, photo ops, and much, much more. The tour, now in its 23rd year, will make 42 stops across the U.S. and Canada and is expected to welcome nearly one million passengers in 2018.

The kids can get close to Thomas the Tank Engine and Percy, and enjoy:

– A 25-minute (approximate) rides with Thomas and Percy

Percy, Thomas’s best friend, travelled to the IRM to have fun with Thomas and with train engine fans.

– Interactive story time and photo opportunity with Percy

– A meet and greet with Sir Topham Hatt, Controller of the Railway

– A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station featuring a variety of activities.

– A ‘Passport to Adventures’ booklet for children to track their journey at the event and receive a special prize upon completion.

– Thomas & Friends-themed activities including crafts, photo ops, giveaways, and more

– Storytelling, video viewing and live music

Thomas and Percy will be in nearby Union in McHenry County for their biggest year yet on July 14 to 15 and 21 to 22 at the Illinois Railway Museum, 7000 Olson Road. Gates open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m.

Tickets for Day Out with Thomas: Big Adventures Tour 2018 are on sale now and available by calling the Illinois Railway Museum at 815-923-4391, ext. 452, or by visiting www.irm.org. Ticket prices are $21 plus tax for ages 2 and up (service charges and fee may apply).

For more information and directions, contact the Illinois Railway Museum at 815-923-4391 or visit the website at www.irm.org.

For information on Thomas & Friends, visit www.thomasandfriends.com

Follow Thomas & Friends on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and Twitter @ThomasFriends. #DayOutWithThomas