Day Out With Thomas
You might say my four-year-old, Sam, has a thing for trains. He can rattle off all the names of the parts on a standard steam engine, he watches Polar Express year round (oblivious to the fact that it’s a Christmas movie) and he even prefers to sleep with his metal diecast train cars to stuffed animals. It’s fair to say it’s a bit of an obsession these days. And, of course, when it comes to trains, there’s one that stands out above all the rest: Thomas. Our little train aficionado is obsessed with the #1 blue engine. We treated Sam’s older brother, Luke, to the Day Out With Thomas event in Baldwin City four years ago when Sam was just a few months old (at the time, we didn’t think it was possible for anyone to love trains more than Luke!). We have pictures from our visit and Sam has enjoyed thumbing through them, asking for me to tell him about that time when he went on a train as a baby. We knew this would be a good year to give him the full experience- and one he could actually remember- so we made the trek back to the Midland Railway. Sam was in hog heaven.
We were not the only ones enjoying a trip to see Thomas. The event is well attended and it’s not too late for you and your crew to join in the fun, too! The Day Out With Thomas event is still going on this upcoming weekend, June 6-8. Here are some pointers so that you can make the most of your trip.
- Buy tickets in advance. Because of the popularity of this event, you will want to purchase tickets ahead of time. Tickets can be purchased on the Midland Railway’s website or by calling (866) 468-7630. Use the code KCPARENT14 to save $2/ticket
- Dress comfortably. Prepare to climb onto a train car and walk on gravel and grass. Although the train cars are covered and many of the childrens’ activities take place under tents you will still spend plenty of time out in the sun. Come prepared with sunglasses, sunscreen, hats, and good walking shoes.
- Come early. The Day Out With Thomas event involves much more than just a train ride. Activity stations are scattered throughout the grounds. Children can play with loads and loads of traintrack, apply temporary tattoos, roam through a bounce house obstacle course, attend a magic show, participate in a hands-on percussion show, watch a Thomas film, visit animals at a petting zoo, play a round of mini-golf or bean-bag toss, and visit with Sir Topham Hatt! The event website recommends coming at least one full hour early to get the most from your experience, but keep in mind that you will want to get in line for your scheduled train ride at least fifteen minutes early for optimum seating, as well.
- Know Where to Park. If you enter Baldwin City via N. 250th/High Street you will be met with police ordinance signs that deny street parking around the railway and all open fields around the event have a $5 price tag. Free parking is available, however, at the Baldwin City Elementary School on Lawrence Street. A shuttle service (also free) transfers visitors from the school to the railway throughout the event. Both have their advantages (the paid parking is on site and you can leave immediately whereas you have to wait a bit for the shuttle service).
- Bring Only What You Need. Pack light so that you can join in on the fun and don’t have to worry about lugging around gear. Cameras are allowed and there are plenty of good photo opportunities. Feel free to be resident photographer of your child for the day, or keep it simple and purchase photos from the event (photographers are available to capture snapshots of your child both inside the train, in front of Thomas, and with Sir Topham Hatt at Knapford Station). Strollers may help lighten the load with little ones but keep in mind they are not allowed aboard the train (there is a designated stroller parking area during train rides). Food vendors are available when tummy’s start rumbling, as well (choices include BBQ, funnel cakes, and snow cones).
Freelance writer Lauren Greenlee has three train-loving boys. She and her busy family reside in Olathe.