Thomas the Tank Engine™ to visit Texas State Railroad

Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Rusk for the Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour. The event, which takes place Oct. 19-21 and 26-28, will be hosted by Texas State Railroad, www. TexasStateRR.com, at 2503 W. 6th, US Hwy 84 in Rusk.

For more than six decades, children have been captivated by the tales of Thomas the Tank Engine. Pulling out of the station for its 12th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour will visit 47 cities in the United States and Canada.

Presented by HIT Entertainment, Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody's favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and handson arts and crafts. Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors.

Thomas the Tank Engine, star of Thomas & Friends™, on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM will be kicking off his Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour in March and is expected to welcome more than 1 million passengers through December. This limited-engagement experience features a variety of Thomas & Friends-themed entertainment for the entire family, including:

• A 30-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine

• The opportunity to meet and take a photo with Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway

• A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts activities and coloring sheets.

• Storytelling, video viewing and live music

The tour provides a unique, interactive family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. At the Texas State Railroad, activities will include: miniature horses, storytelling, live music, bounce houses, etc.

The approximately 30-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, between 10 a.m. and 3:15 p.m. daily. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2007: All Aboard Tour are $18 for ages two and up.

Tickets are on sale now and are available by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com. For more information and directions contact the Texas State Railroad at 1-888- 987-2461 or visit www.TexasStateRR. com.

For general information visit www. thomasandfriends.com.