SeeCalifornia.com

Thomas the Train, the most famous talking train in the eyes of children around the globe, is pulling into the station and making guest appearances in California in 2012. You can bet your whistle that there will be lots of locomotion as parents line up with their kids to see and experience a phenomenon made famous on TV. Thomas the Train isn’t just a train, he’s a personality!

Thomas the Tank Engine’s “Day out with Thomas (TM): Mystery on the Rails Tour 2012” is coming to three locations in California this year with exciting No. 1 engine looking for clues to solve a mystery! The fun event This fun-filled event offers little engineers and their families the opportunity to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine, while participating in Thomas-themed activities. The tour, now in its 17th year, is making stops in more than 45 U.S. cities.

What you’ll see & do:

• 25-minute ride (approx.) with Thomas the Tank Engine
• Games and activities featuring a mystery element
• Opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt (TM), Controller of the Railway
• Thomas & Friends Imagination Station;
• Stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts & crafts, train tables, and coloring sheets
• Commemorative activities, merchandise and giveaways including a special reveal poster previewing new engines and a new destination from the upcoming 2012 Thomas & Friends feature, Blue Mountain Mystery
• Storytelling, video viewing and live music, plus more

Guest appearances:

• Fillmore & Western Railway Co. (Ventura County) April 20, 21, 22 & 27, 28, 29, 2012. Time: 9:50 am- to 2:40 pm Train ride every 50 minutes. Location: 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA. Tickets $18, call (866) 468-7630, ticketweb.com/thomas.html or fwry.com
• Roaring Camp Railroads Felton (Santa Cruz County) July 27, 28, 29, August 3, 4, 5, 2012. Tickets: $14-19, ticketweb.  Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA. roaringcamp.com
• Orange Empire Railway Museum (Riverside County)  November 9, 10, 11, 17, 2012.  Tickets: $14-16, ticketweb. Orange Empire Railway Museum, 2201 S. “A” St., Perris CA. Call: (951) 943-3020, oerm.org