
Day Out with Thomas at Illinois Railway Museum
Overview
Day Out With Thomas (TM), Thomas & Friends brings the magical world of Sodor to life at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL. Families board a real 20-minute train ride with the iconic blue engine Thomas the Tank Engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and dive into hands-on activities like storytelling, coloring, and playtables, all part of the Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour featuring music-inspired fun and lawn games.
Thomas & Friends captivates generations with its timeless tales of friendship and adventure on the Island of Sodor, making this event a dream for young train enthusiasts. The Illinois Railway Museum, North America's largest, offers unlimited access to historic locomotives, streetcars, and exhibits, blending fantasy with real railway heritage.
Highlights
Thomas Train Ride: Enjoy a 20-minute real train ride with life-size Thomas the Tank Engine, pulling out at your specified time.
Meet Sir Topham Hatt: Pose for photos and interact with the stern railway controller from the Island of Sodor.
Percy Option: Ride behind Percy for an additional $10 ticket, available at select times.
Hands-On Activities: Participate in Thomas storytelling, video viewing, coloring, playtables, and temporary tattoos.
Museum Exhibits: Unlimited access to historic steam locomotives, diesel engines, and streetcars all day.
Live Entertainment: Catch magic shows, live music, and lawn games as part of the Let's Rock, Let's Roll Tour.
Sentiment Analysis
Magical train ride with life-size Thomas creates lifelong memories
Abundance of family-friendly activities like storytelling and games
Full museum access to historic trains enhances the adventure
Photo ops with characters thrill children
No refunds or exchanges on tickets
Percy ride requires extra fee
Know Before You Go
Located at Illinois Railway Museum in Union, IL, with free plentiful parking opening at 8:00 AM and gates at 8:30 AM. Tickets cost $25 per person over age one, including one Thomas train ride, unlimited streetcar rides, all entertainment, and full museum access; Percy ride is $10 extra. No refunds, exchanges, or ticket replacements; food available on-site. Children under age one ride free with Thomas.
Hot Tip
Arrive early when parking opens at 8:00 AM to beat crowds, explore museum exhibits first, and secure prime spots for character meets before your train time.
Location
Meeting Point
Illinois Railway Museum Union IL US

This page is synthesized and developed by Dyvarcity Team
More like this
Nearby Activities
Chicago Best Things to Do: Concerts, Helicopter & Food Tours
The Chicago skyline is hiding a secret- a ton of them, actually. It’s more than a view: it’s got adventures you're meant to explore. Breathe in the winds and excitement of a helicopter tour, party at top concerts, or dive into food and pizza tours. Walk beside history on a gangster mob tour, take a fireboat or bus tour. Looking to get wild tonight? Find events going on sooner than tomorrow, from EDM to country concerts. Check all your bucket list boxes, and live stories you’ll remember forever.
View Chicago Activities