All aboard!

There’s something about trains that’s hard-wired into kids, said the Colorado Railroad Museum’s executive director Donald Tallman.

“Thomas is a rock star for the preschoolers,” he said.

But kids of all ages are getting excited for Thomas the Tank Engine’s visit to Golden this month.

“The Thomas brand is one that people have a great deal of affection for,” Tallman said. “Thomas is like us, in the sense that he has his good qualities, but he also has his faults.”

Thomas the Tank Engine is the star of the popular Thomas & Friends series, and this year marks 70 years for the series.

Thomas will be at the Colorado Railroad Museum for Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2015 for three consecutive weekends in September.

The main attraction to the event is a train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine on a nearly half-mile track, which lasts about 25 minutes. Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet the character Sir Topham Hatt.

People also enjoy the Imagination Station, Tallman said. In the station, children can interactively play with Thomas-themed toys or do arts and crafts. In addition, there will be a petting zoo, a magician, storytellers, a viewing tent showing Thomas videos, sing-a-longs, a fire truck for children to tour, and food and merchandise vendors will be on-site.

The event is a lot of fun for everyone, said Al Blount, vice president of the Colorado Railroad Museum’s board.

Blount will be serving as Thomas’ conductor for the 13th year. His favorite part, he said, is watching the excitement on all the kids’ faces.

The tour is in its 20th year, and this is the 14th year the Colorado Railroad Museum will host Thomas, Tallman said.

“We’ve seen generations of children come through the years,” he said.

And each year, he said, he will overhear someone reminiscing with their children about the experience of playing with Thomas when they were a child.

“It’s a great family bonding opportunity,” Tallman said. “Thomas builds lifetime, family memories.”

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