Last week we spent a Day Out With Thomas at the B&O Railroad in Baltimore. The little man was so excited to see Thomas and he was very hopeful he would get to see Percy as well.
I was the lucky winner of our local Macaroni Kid giveaway, I won 4 tickets to a day out with Thomas in Baltimore.
Our tickets for the train ride were for 1:45 pm so we decided to get to the event a couple hours before the train ride to explore and then have the train ride be the last thing we did.
Day Out With Thomas
The Day out with Thomas is a traveling event that goes across both the US and Canada. Each year the event comes to Baltimore’s B&O Railroad Museum for a few days.
Parking for the Event
The parking lot was fenced in and there was a police officer at the entrance to the lot. So your car and belongings should be safe, while you visit with Thomas.
From the parking lot, we crossed the street and walked up a short hill to enter the Museum train yard.
Entering the Museum
We entered the museum from the back entrance where we were greeted by a volunteer asking if we needed tickets.
Since our tickets were at will call another volunteer walked us to the roundhouse where the will call table was set up. As we walked he gave us a map of the event and told us where things were located. He also gave us a passport for each of the kids to get stamps in.
Getting Our Tickets
Getting the tickets from will call was fast and easy, then we were off to explore the museum and get stamps in the kid’s passports.
Special Activities for Day out with Thomas
The passport we were given had 4 different areas to explore and get stamps. If the kids got all 4 stamps they would get a prize.
Imagination Station
Our first stop was Imagination Station. This was a kid-friendly area of the museum set up with 5 different train tables, each with a number of wooden trains. There were also a few lego building tables, a coloring station, and books about trains.
Daddy and Sister had fun playing at the Lego tables and the little man ran all over between all of the train tables.
Sir Topham Hatt
As we were leaving the Imagination Station we saw that only one family was in line to take a picture with Sir Topham Hatt so we headed over there next.
Video Viewing Area
We didn’t stay long in this area, but they had benches set up to watch a Thomas show. My kids were too excited to explore everything to sit and watch a movie so we got our stamp and we were on our way.
Gift Shop
The last stop we needed a stamp from was the gift shop, so we quickly walked through got our stamp and headed for the outdoor activities.
Train Display
Outside the roundhouse, there were trains racing around a track. I believe these trains are always at the B&O Railroad museum but they had switched the Engines to Thomas characters.
The Little Man was in heaven, he got to see James, Thomas, Percey, and Emilee.
Carnival Games and Bounce House
Neither of my kids really love carnival games or the bounce house so we didn’t even go into this area. Walking past there were a couple bounce houses and then it looked like a number of beanbag toss type games.
Magician
At specified times during the day, there was a magician that performed, but my kids wouldn’t sit still for the show.
Thomas Tattoo
Kids were able to get a temporary tattoo put on but my kids didn’t want anything to do with that. But if your kids like them that is something you can add to your day.
B&O Railroad Exhibits
Along with the specific Thomas activities we were able to see the normal museum exhibits. We walked through a few different trains and the kids had fun playing on the climb- on train outside.
Included in our ticket price was rides on the Museum’s carousel so each of our kids did that a couple of times. Be prepared the Museum carousel is not big! It was like something you would see at a carnival, not Disneyland or Knoebels!
Thomas Train Ride
After all of the time exploring it was finally time to go on the train ride. We got in line about 15 minutes before our ticketed time and waited, there was very little shade so it got hot!
Boarding
Boarding the train we got to walk past Thomas on our way to the passenger car. This is a great place to snap a photo if your kid will slow down. The passenger car had two types of seating. Rows of 2 people and sitting areas with 4 chairs facing each other. If you want to sit in a set of 4 chairs be sure to get in the front of the line because they go fast!
The Ride
During the train ride, a volunteer comes around and punches holes in your tickets and then later comes back around and gives Jr. Engineer Certificates to each child.
The train moves very slowly and the ride is about 25 minutes long. The route isn’t very pretty and you see a lot of graffiti and garbage. The train ride is an out and back ride so you go forward and then backward seeing the same things twice.
You do pass a few other parked train cars so the kids thought that was fun.
After the Train Ride
After getting off the train we took a few pictures with Thomas and then headed back to the car. As we exited the museum the kids showed the volunteer their passports and they each got a ball with Thomas Printed on it.
The Final Day Out With Thomas Baltimore Review
Both Jared and I commented that if we had purchased these tickets and spent $100+ we would have been disappointed. Yeah, it was a fun day for the kids but in my opinion, the price was a little too high for what is included.
The train ride wasn’t all that great, and you couldn’t even see Thomas while the train was moving. The other activities were fun but most of them were things we already have at home (wooden trains, coloring pages, movies).
If your child’s main interest is Thomas than this event is probably worth the money. You might want to consider making it a special date for that child so you don’t have to purchase tickets for the whole family.
If you child loves trains in general consider visiting the B&O museum not during the event for cheaper tickets.
I don’t think I would spend so much money on this simple event. But the kids had a blast as they always do. The little man loved the train ride and asks to go on it again tomorrow. So I am going to look into finding a train ride that is more scenic that we can go on as a family.
Tips for Attending A Day out With Thomas
If you do decide to attend a Day out with Thomas go with a great attitude and you will have a good time.
Don’t forget to bring water, it gets hot and some of the activities and waiting are in the direct sun.
Do an Earlier train Ride – Since I won our tickets we didn’t get to choose our train time, but if you get to pick, chose an earlier time so it isn’t quite so hot while you wait in line.
Bonus: How to See Thomas Without Going to the Event
If you go to Carroll Park and follow the roads behind the Federal Mansion there is a little trail you can take and walk to a train platform and watch for Thomas.
If you’re going to do this be sure to check the B&O railroad website to find out what times the train runs and plan to be at the platform a few minutes after these times so you don’t miss seeing Thomas drive past.
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