All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favorite #1 blue engine, is coming to town and we’re celebrating 80 years of Thomas and Friends. Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour will be stopping at the N.C. Transportation Museum on Sept. 26-28 and Oct. 3-5, 2025. The N.C. Transportation Museum is part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
For 30 years, Day Out With Thomas™ has been a fun-filled family event taking place at Heritage Railways across the world. Each ticket includes a train ride with a life-sized Thomas the Tank Engine as well as access to a full day of activities for all to enjoy. Activities include live entertainment, photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt, lawn games and shopping at the pop-up gift shop for exclusive Thomas swag.
Thomas & Friends marks its 80th anniversary this year, celebrating eight decades of entertaining children and families with its timeless railway adventures. Since its debut in 1945, the beloved franchise continues to captivate young fans with new and exciting adventures. Special birthday celebrations on tour will feature family-friendly activities like the tricycle corral and live puppet shows, and fans can even take commemorative photos with a festive Thomas adorned in confetti.
Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour includes a 25-minute train ride featuring a talking Thomas the Tank Engine locomotive. The Percy train can be added for another 25 minutes of fun riding the rails. Activities and entertainment feature face painting, bean bag toss, mini golf, hay bale maze, inflatable games, model train layouts, and more. Professional photos are available for purchase and are offered with Thomas, Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt. An activity sheet will guide guests through the event highlighting the four key station stops to visit for a free giveaway.
Event tickets grant access to the museum’s three exhibit buildings featuring rail cars, antique automobiles and trucks, and much more. A pop-up gift shop will offer exclusive products only available at Day Out With Thomas. A variety of food vendors will also be available.
Tickets for an unforgettable day at Day Out With Thomas: The Party Tour are on sale now and available at https://www.nctransportationmuseum.org/day-out-with-thomas/. Tickets are $28.46 ($23 plus $5.46 in fees and tax) on Fridays, $30.60 ($25 plus $5.60 in fees and tax) on weekends, ages 1 and up. Members receive a $2 discount per Day Out with Thomas event ticket; “All Day Ride Passes” are not discounted. Event tickets include all site activities and one train ride with Thomas. Percy train tickets can be purchased for an additional $8.56 ($8 plus $0.56 tax) on Fridays or for an additional $10.70 ($10 plus $0.70 tax) on weekends. Percy Train tickets are only available as an add-on after purchasing your Day Out With Thomas™ ticket. Taxes and fees are included in ticket prices and are visible up-front when purchasing tickets.
For more information about Thomas & Friends please visit: www.thomasandfriends.com, www.facebook.com/thomasandfriends and for bonus material and exclusive content visit www.youtube.com/user/thomasandfriends.
About Mattel Inc.
Mattel is a leading global toy company and owner of one of the strongest catalogs of children’s and family entertainment franchises in the world. We create innovative products and experiences that inspire, entertain, and develop children through play. We engage consumers through our portfolio of iconic brands, including Barbie®, Hot Wheels®, Fisher-Price®, American Girl®, Thomas & Friends™, UNO®, Masters of the Universe®, Monster High™, and MEGA®, as well as other popular intellectual properties that we own or license in partnership with global entertainment companies. Our offerings include film and television content, gaming, music, and live events. We operate in 35 locations and our products are available in more than 150 countries in collaboration with the world’s leading retail and ecommerce companies. Since its founding in 1945, Mattel is proud to be a trusted partner in empowering children to explore the wonder of childhood and reach their full potential. Visit us online at mattel.com.
About N.C. TRANSPORTATION MUSEUM
The N.C. Transportation Museum is located at 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, N.C. The mailing address is 411 Salisbury Ave., Spencer, N.C. 28159. The physical address is 1 Samuel Spencer Dr., Spencer, NC 28159. It is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, and closed Monday. Regular admission is $8 to $10 based on age and prices are increased when a train ride is added. Admission and train ride prices may vary on special event days. For information about the site call (704) 636-2889. The N.C. Transportation Museum is part of the Division of State Historic Sites within the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.