Thomas the Tank Engine Pulls into Greenfield Village April 27

Submitted by Melissa Foster

Seen on the pages of storybooks, in playrooms, and on the television screen, Thomas the Tank Engine is adored by preschoolers everywhere. Now, Thomas is pulling into the station for a larger than life experience titled "Day Out With Thomas: The Go, Go Thomas Tour 2013," visiting Greenfield Village on April 27-28, May 4-5 and 11-12.

The event, now in its 18th year, is presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by MEGA Brands, a leading toy company, and Hard Rock Hotels.

Thomas the Tank Engine is star of Thomas & Friends making tracks to great destinations on PBS KIDS and Sprout. Along with his engine friends, Thomas captivates children in more than 145 countries and 30 languages. The No. 1 blue engine and his friends invite children to enter a world of imagination through the tracks of a train and the words of a story.

To date, 200 million Thomas & Friends books and e-books have been sold and the CGI-animated Thomas & Friends series is more popular than ever, rating as one of the top programs for children ages 2 to 5.

"Day Out with Thomas: The Go, Go Thomas Tour 2013" is a fun-filled event that provides children of all ages the opportunity to climb aboard and take a ride with Thomas as well as participate in Thomas & Friends themed activities.

The tour is expected to welcome nearly 1 million passengers through November. For three back-to-back weekends, preschool children and their families are invited to take a 25-minute ride around Greenfield Village on their favorite engine, meet Sir Topham Hatt, controller of the railway, and enjoy a day of Thomas & Friends themed activities including arts and crafts, storytelling, and more.

Thomas the Tank Engine rides depart every 30 minutes, rain or shine. Departure times begin at 9:30 a.m. through 5 p.m. each day of the event. Tickets for the event are $11.75 for members, age 1 and older, and includes free admission to Greenfield Village. Ticket prices for non-member children age 1-4 is $11.75, youth age 5-12 is $27.75, adults age 13-61 is $33.75 and seniors age 62 and up is $32.75.

Tickets are on sale now by calling The Henry Ford at 313-982-6001 or visiting www.thehenryford.org.