Saturday was a very special day for one huge fan of Thomas the Tank Engine. We took Lucy to Strasburg in Lancaster County to see the real Thomas steam engine. He was in town and taking visitors for rides up and down the old railway there. Having checked out the station's website beforehand, we learned that tickets would add up to about $60 for a very short ride, which instantly made us twitch and consider doing something different. But we knew it would mean a lot to Lucy, so weren't put off and took the risk of driving out there anyway, hoping to catch Thomas along the tracks.
When we arrived the queues at the station were long, and by then the rain had turned to sleet. In order to get onto the station you had to park a few miles away and get bused in on a school bus. No fun! Masters of squeezing value and maximum benefit out of every occasion, we found the railroad that Thomas was steaming up and down, found a car park right next to it (at the Red Caboose Motel), and parked literally metres away from where he would choo past. There was even a shelter right next to the railway line which we could stand underneath to keep out of the rain...perfect!
Thomas tooted right past us, and so close we could have touched him. The driver tooted his horn and Lucy was beside herself (as were we old folk if truth be told). This is dream come true stuff for little girls who adore and worship Thomas!
Thomas puffed off to the station with it's passengers (suckers in our books for paying to ride on a train that they couldn't even see while in it!). We went into the Red Caboose Motel and Diner which had a gift shop. Inside was like stepping back in time - it is created from a real old train caboose. There was a model railway inside which was much smaller than the Choo Choo Barn but easily as good quality....and it included it's own little Thomas. We felt we should buy something as we had used their car park and spent some time looking at the model railway. Joe asked for a coffee and was told (much to our delight) that it was complimentary! And there ended our very enjoyable, very satisfyingly free morning out.
Lucy and Joe waiting for Thomas
Thomas passes by footsteps away from us
Red Caboose Motel (where you can stay in a caboose)
An Amish buggy and horse where 'parked' next to us
The rain got worse so we watched Thomas from the car, just before going home
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