Steam & Excursion > Thomas the Tank Steam Engine

In case any steam fans are interested, the Strasburg Rail Road in Pennsylvania is operating their saddle tank 0-6-0 Thomas the Tank Steam Engine right now and it can be viewed by those of you who go onto the Virtual Rail Site for Strasburg.  This is the best Thomas in our area since it really is a genuine steam locomotive, not like some that appear at museums where the Thomas is pulled and pushed by a diesel locomotive.
John in White Marsh, Maryland

And for those in the Rocky Mt region, Thomas is running the next two weekends at Colorado Railroad Museum, with the full Day Out with Thomas program.   This year Thomas buddies up with D&RGW #491 and needs it all on the 4% grade around the loop.

Bill Kepner

Just spoke to the Fat Controller.  He is going to make sure that Thomas is a useful engine!

Have heard that Thomas has been canceled at OERM at Perris this year.

As far as a real steam engine for Thomas, we always want one of the on powered locos.
Remember "Thomas is a friendly engine"

 It's really the best as real locos have lots of strange sounds and hot steam that scares kids -- and some young parents also.
Some small kids after playing with a friendly Thomas at home are suddenly confronted with a very intimidating sized Thomas, scaring the heck out of them. And we have had kids seeing Thomas for the first time really get excited seeing Thomas for the first time. 

For a lot of parents, it's the first train ride in their lives.

Is Thomas still on TV?

Watts local

 

wattslocal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have heard that Thomas has been canceled at OERM
> at Perris this year.
>
> As far as a real steam engine for Thomas, we
> always want one of the on powered locos.
> Remember "Thomas is a friendly engine"
>
>  It's really the best as real locos have lots of
> strange sounds and hot steam that scares kids --
> and some young parents also.
> Some small kids after playing with a friendly
> Thomas at home are suddenly confronted with a very
> intimidating sized Thomas, scaring the heck out of
> them. And we have had kids seeing Thomas for the
> first time really get excited seeing Thomas for
> the first time. 
>
> For a lot of parents, it's the first train ride in
> their lives.
>
> Is Thomas still on TV?
>
> Watts local
>
>  

Yes, Thomas is still on TV. Check out your local PBS station in the mornings.

wattslocal Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Have heard that Thomas has been canceled at OERM
> at Perris this year.
>
> As far as a real steam engine for Thomas, we
> always want one of the on powered locos.
> Remember "Thomas is a friendly engine"
>
>  It's really the best as real locos have lots of
> strange sounds and hot steam that scares kids --
> and some young parents also.
> Some small kids after playing with a friendly
> Thomas at home are suddenly confronted with a very
> intimidating sized Thomas, scaring the heck out of
> them. And we have had kids seeing Thomas for the
> first time really get excited seeing Thomas for
> the first time. 
>
> For a lot of parents, it's the first train ride in
> their lives.
>
> Is Thomas still on TV?
>
> Watts local

I am surprised about the statement that Thomas scares some children.  I do not agree, at least not with the Strasburg operation up in the Lancaster, Pennsylvania area.  The Thomas at Strasburg is a real saddle tank 0-6-0 steam engine and it is well maintained and trust me, I have been there several different times with my grandchildren and I have not witnessed any children being afraid even when they are sitting directly in front of the engine for photos.  I've not heard any negative things from any of my other relatives or friends who have also gone there with their children and/or grandchildren.  So I do not understand about the Thomas you are writing about.  What kind of steam engine do they operate?

John in White Marsh, Maryland