Day Out With Thomas™ 2008: The Great Discovery Tour Pulling Into Great Smoky Mountains Railroad

Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Dillsboro for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour. The event, which takes place July 25-29 and July 31-August 3, 2008, will be hosted by the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by the LEGO Group.

For more than six decades, children have been captivated with the tales of Thomas the Tank Engine. Pulling out of the station for its 13th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada. 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 hands-on 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 2008: The Great Discovery Tour in March and is expected to welcome more than 1 million passengers through December. During the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour, children will be provided with a “Great Discovery Tour Map,” that guides them through the various event activities. At the last stop, each child will receive a free gift. Activities include:

· A 25-minute (approximate) ride with Thomas the Tank Engine
· The opportunity to meet 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

Fans will rally to nominate Thomas to the “National Toy Hall of Fame” when he will enlist the help of his friends on a brand-new adventure - his journey to the National Toy Hall of Fame®. All attendees can add their name to the petition. The National Toy Hall of Fame, at the Strong National Museum of Play®, in Rochester, NY, recognizes toys that have achieved Icon Status, having enjoyed popularity over multiple generations. By signing a petition at any of the 2008 Day Out with Thomas Events, fans can help Thomas make tracks to The National Toy Hall of Fame.

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 Great Smoky Mountains Railroad activities will include: Bubble Station, Bouncy Train and Giant Slide, Model Railroad Layout, Sandblast Area, Balloon Animals, and a Petting Zoo.

The approximately 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 9:45-3:00pm Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday, or 9:00am-4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour are $18.00 for ages two and up.

Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com/thomas For more information and directions contact the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad at 800-872-4681 or GSMR.com.

For general information or to find a Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour event near you, visit www.thomasandfriends.com.