Day Out with Thomas... Strasburg Railroad ?

[Kramer]

We are taking the kids to the Day Out with Thomas the Tank this week at the Strasburg, PA Railroad... has anybody here done this before?

Any tips or advice?

ThanksQ

 

[safetymom]

I don't know about Thomas the Tank but the Strasburg Railroad is a great place to spend the day.

 

[njziggy]

We did this with our 2 DS- back when they were younger. It was a real "nose bleed" day. They have tents set up with places to play with Thomas toys, do coloring pages, and of course, purchase everything Thomas. The big event of the day was to get your picture taken with Thomas (you get to sit on his "bumper"(?- I don't know the word for that part on a train). Only to be topped by an actual ride on Thomas. Thay also have lots of food vendors and some small games/rides. My kids are 12 and 8 now and still talk fondly of the day.

 

[julsmom]

My sister did this with her DS in August. They really liked it. The other person's description sounded pretty accurate. If your child is into trains and you like to do these kinds of things, then I think you will enjoy it. Have a good time!

 

[robsmom]

Only advice is get there early. it is great but a ton of people and cars that need to be parked.

 

[jeepgirl30]

We did this too. My DS2 at the time loved it! Even DD5 enjoyed it but now says it was boring.

I was pleasantly surprised with the merchandise in the tents, it seemed very reasonably priced.

We only did the ride with Thomas not the extra ride on the railroad. I wish we would have because the Thomas ride is very short and only goes up and back in a straight line. DS would have really liked more of a ride. The food there was more like carnival food.

 

[goofyforlife]

My Dsis took my nephew to that one a few months ago. (i think there's another one coming up. DGM is taking him this time.)

The parking situation was horrid last time because they had you park elsewhere and then stand in lines to be bussed to/from the station. My Dsis missed her original ride time due to their poor planning. They did still accept the tickets though.

Dsis mentioned that the food was overpriced and that they went to eat afterwards. Hopefully, they've gotten the kinks worked out of the parking process for this time.

 

[disneyfor3]

We did this in June this year and last year in December with our DS5 and are doing it again this coming weekend. The traffic was pretty bad. We parked at the Lights and Sounds Museum (I think that's what it's called) and took the free shuttle in. We had planned extra time so had no trouble getting to our scheduled train time but others on the shuttle missed theirs. They were told when they were disembarking by a person working there when they got off that they would have no problems exchanging their tickets for another time (which I overheard a lot did with no problems). It really did not seem crowded once you were there because there were so many things to do. This time we chose to go to the ticket office and upgraded our regular train portion of the trip to the dining car since it was raining. We enjoyed having lunch and riding in the dining car.

 

[Disney4Drew]

We just did the Day Out With Thomas this spring! We didn't go to Strasburg but to Ohio to see it. DH is 3 and LOVED it. Sir Topham hat is there for photos and there are tents set up everywhere. DH and I also had a great time. We considered doing the Strasburg one this month but decided to put that money towards Disney. DS is Thomas crazy, so this was great for him. We will definitely do it again next year. Have a blast!

 

[kfeuer]

We did the day out with Thomas in Chattanooga last year. My boys loved it, but once was enough (at least for mom and dad ).

 

[java]

We are headed there this weekend too! I am a little worried as we are a late train ride in the day(soccer in the AM) So exactly how much time do you spend there? And should we blow off soccer and head out there very early instead? Our train ride is at 3:30 I think. Better check my tickets.... I think my 3 year old is going to be in heaven that day(of course the other 3 kids not so excited... but once they get there I bet they'll have fun too!)

 

[qst4it]

When we went it was slammed packed. Get there early. The train station we wnet to was not used to having that many people there I think and had a 1/4 of the parking that tey needed. Kids had fun. Parents a little stressed at end of day.

 

[englishteacha]

We did the Day Out with Thomas at Didcot Parkway in the UK. My DH and I were college students and we went without kids! It was a lot of fun. My DH is a train buff, and grew up watching Thomas. I think the people running the event got a kick out of two college kids posing for photos with Thomas and Sir Topham Hatt!

We've also been to Strasburg which is a lovely place. If you take the regular train ride, they'll drop you off at a picnic grounds and you can come back on the next train. You can take a lunch with you. (Check their website for more details.) We made fluffernutters and watched the train when we went. There are also lots of other train related things to do in that area-there's a giant train museum (I thought it was a bit boring) and a couple places with exquisite model railroads (I thought those were very cool!). The admissions to those places are separate.

Hope this helps!

 

[ChrisLei]

We did this with the kids last year! From what I hear it is the best station to take them to for the Day out with Thomas. We had a great time! Be prepared it gets REALLY PACKED!

My tip bring a picnic blanket. There are not very many places to sit and eat, we just sat on the grass but next time will bring a blanket

Have fun!

 

[luvsgrumpy]

Never done the Day with Thomas but I just wanted to mention, as others did, to be warned about the traffic. We live near and I used to work in Strasburg, really neat place but it doesn't handle traffic well. Just be prepared to deal with lots of people and kids. It's also right in Amish country too, nice treat for those who aren't used to seeing them all the time. I would agree with the idea of bringing a picnic lunch or at least snacks.

Have fun!

 

[Nascia]

So much good advice, DISers are the best! I'm taking my 4 year old on Thusday. I had wanted to go this coming Saturday, but all the presale tickets were sold out and I didn't want to chance it since we'd be driving about 2 1/2 hours.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

We did Day Out With thomas twice with our first DS. HE was a Thomas fanatic. My advice is not to go in the winter. We went one in December and we totally froze! We're probably going to our newest DS to see thomas in the spring.

 

[htmom]

We are going on Thursday. It is a surprise for our sons fifth birthday. I have read lots of info and it sounds like it will be neat.

 

[HooKooDooKu]

We did our first "Day Out with Thomas" earlier this year when he came to Calera, AL. I was disappoints to learn that it's not a real engine. It's basically just a boxcar shaped and painted like Thomas. You ride a real excursion train, and Thomas just get towed behind the noraml excursion train. (He's also smaller in person that what I expected.)

 

[Kramer]

Thanks for all of the replies! My son is very excited and has been talking about it all weekend - I'm sure it will be a great time.