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All aboard for a day of family fun with Thomas and Percy!

Thomas is returning to the Southern California Railway Museum November 2, 3, 9, 10 & 11, 2024!

Take a ride with Thomas, meet Percy and Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a day of family fun!  Advanced Ticket Purchase is highly recommended and will be available online prior to the event.

Day Out With Thomas

Upcoming Dates: November 2, 3, 9, 10 & 11 2024

All Aboard for a full day of Family Fun!
Activities Include*:

  • Take a Ride Behind the #1 Blue Engine Thomas
  • Add-on a Second Ride behind Thomas’ friend Percy
  • Photo Ops with Thomas, Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt
  • Live Musical Performances
  • Musical Games
  • Bounce Houses
  • Balloon Twister
  • Petting Zoo
  • Toy Play in the Play Pod Tent
  • Family games in the Color Corner
  • Model Railroad Exhibits, including an exhibits where guests can be the engineer!
  • Enjoy a Picnic in Holstrom Park -bring your own or visit our Food Vendors
  • Race your Family through the Hay Maze
  • Story Time, hosted by local public libraries (not available 11/10)

* Activities are subject to change

INTERESTED IN VOLUNTEERING?

Please visit our Day Out with Thomas Volunteer Info Page

Event Information

About The Event

WHAT IS DAY OUT WITH THOMAS™?

Day Out With Thomas™ is a family event that offers aspiring engineers and their families the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™, at regional heritage railroads across the country.

WHO IS THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE?

Since Thomas the Tank Engine left the depot more than 70 years ago, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation.

WHAT ARE THE APPROPRIATE AGES FOR DAY OUT WITH THOMAS?

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes passengers of all ages.

WILL THOMAS THE TANK ENGINE BE THERE?

Thomas the Tank Engine has traveled all the way from the Island of Sodor and has arrived Right on Time to take a ride with you and your family.

WILL SIR TOPHAM HATT BE THERE?

Yes, Sir Topham Hatt will take time away from his busy schedule as Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor to meet and take pictures with guests.

Ticket Information

WHERE IS THE EVENT?

Visit Thomas at the Southern California Railway Museum (formerly Orange Empire Railway Museum)

2201 South A Street
Perris, CA 92570

WHEN IS THE EVENT?

Day Out with Thomas will be visiting the Southern California Railway Museum FALL 2023!

WHEN DO TICKETS GO ON SALE?

Tickets On Sale online prior to the event at  https://www.ticketweb.com/venue/southern-california-railway-museum-perris-ca/14521.

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS?

Ticket prices range from $19.00 to $25.00
HOW DO I PURCHASE TICKETS?
Tickets can be purchased through TicketWeb ONLINE or call 866-468-7630

WHO NEEDS TICKETS?

Tickets are required for guests ages one and up.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE TICKET PRICE?

A ticket for Day Out With Thomas includes admission to the museum, the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, give-a-ways, and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. For an additional amount, train rides with Percy will be available on a first-come first-served basis (Percy’s train is smaller than Thomas’s).

Each gated event ticket also includes admission to the museum to explore the West’s largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars, buildings and other artifacts dating from the 1870’s.

HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY TICKETS?

Tickets and confirmations will be emailed at the time of purchase and may be printed out and presented on the day of the event.

ARE THERE ANY REFUNDS?

There are no refunds or exchanges on this rain or shine event.

DO YOU RECOMMEND PURCHASING TICKETS IN ADVANCE?

Due to the popularity of Day Out With Thomas, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. It is not uncommon for events to sell out. When purchasing tickets you will be asked to select a specific date and time for your ride with Thomas. Your ticket is valid only for that date and time.

Day of Event Information

HOW DO I GET THERE?

From the West (Los Angeles):
Take I-10 east or Route 60 east or Route 91 east to I-215. Take the I-215 South to Perris. In Perris exit Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west or 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Follow A Street south for 1.5 miles. Museum parking is on your left.

From the North (San Bernardino, Riverside):
Take I-215 south to Perris. In Perris, take the exit to Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west for 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Follow A Street south for 1.5 miles. The Museum parking is on your left.

From the South (San Diego):
Take the I-15 north to I-215 north. Follow I-215 north to Perris. In Perris, exit Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west for 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Take A Street south 1.5 miles. Museum parking is on your left.

IS THERE PARKING AVAILABLE ON SITE?

Yes. There is parking available on site.

IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL COST FOR PARKING?

Parking is always free.

WHAT TIMES DO TRAINS DEPART?

Thomas departs on the hour between 9am and 4pm.

Percy departs at 10 past the hour between 9:10am and 4:10pm.

WHEN SHOULD WE ARRIVE FOR OUR TRAIN RIDE WITH THOMAS?

It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure. Feel free to come as early as you’d like to enjoy all of the other activities before your train ride!

IS THERE ASSIGNED SEATING ON THE TRAIN?

Tickets are assigned by time. Guests must be together during boarding if they wish to sit together on the train.

HOW LONG IS THE TRAIN RIDE?

Your ride on the train with Thomas is approximately 20 minutes. If you purchase an additional add-on ticket to ride on Percy, that ride is approximately 15 minutes. The train follows the tracks within and along the Museum Campus.

ARE YOU LIMITED TO JUST ONE TRAIN RIDE?

There is one train ride per ticket.

ARE MASKS REQUIRED?

Southern California Railway Museum is a working railroad and is required to follow all Federal Railroad Administration guidelines, including any COVID-19 restrictions. Please visit our COVID-19 Guidance Page for more info regarding masks.

WHAT IF THERE IS INCLEMENT WEATHER?

Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine.

ARE CAMERAS ALLOWED?

Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo albums and to share online. Don’t forget to tag your photos with the hashtag #DayOutWithThomas

WILL THERE BE FOOD AVAILABLE?

The Food Court has a large selection of food, drinks and snacks.

ARE STROLLERS PERMITTED?

Day Out With Thomas is a family event that welcomes guests of all ages. There is even a designated area for “stroller parking” during the train ride.

IS THE EVENT HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE?

Many areas of the event are handicap accessible. The older historic trolleys and railcars were designed and built before accessibility requirements but we will do our best to accommodate all of our guests.

ARE PETS ALLOWED?

No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas.

IS THERE AVAILABLE LODGING IN THE AREA?

There is lodging available in Perris and nearby Moreno Valley or Menifee.

How do I find out about other events?

You can find the complete Day Out With Thomas Annual Schedule by visiting www.dayoutwiththomas.com. For information on other Thomas & Friends experiences, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com and click on “Events.”