Day Out with Thomas

We've been a couple of times. It's not as crowded as it was a few years ago, but I would buy tickets in advance because it's a long drive (at least from where I am) and the Thomas train spots are limited if you want to ride on it.

It's not that insane, and I would not arrive at 7:30. We went last summer and arrived at about 11, it was fine.

I love the railway museum even on a non-thomas day. It's a lot of fun! And the volunteers (if you catch them on a less busy day) are totally fascinating and have lots of great stories about the trains. Have a great time.

Hi M.~
We went last year and are planning on going again this year.
Just to give you some insight--We took my 2 year old son, my 4 month daughter, husband and grandma PLUS the rest of my entire family tagged along.

Yes, you need to purchase your tix ahead of time. I don't believe you can buy them at the door and they sell out quickly.

We purchased out train ride with Thomas I think for 12:00 and it was fine. We got there and like the site says there is plenty of parking so no issue there.

Now we went the last day so I think it might not have been as crazy as say an opening day event but overall the way the grounds are set up it is very spacious and non-intimidating.

The way the train rides are orgainzed I thought for sure it would be a mad house but it wasn't bad at all (and I have total crowd issues).

If your son is into trains this is the best place to be!
Also, don't know if you are near the area or not be there is the "Choo Choo Cafe" in Des Plaines which is fun for train fanatics as the "train" brings you your food.
HTH.
D.

Thanks for asking this question. We haven't been before but have purchased tickets for this year, and it's great getting all this information. Thought I'd mention there is a train restaurant in Downers Grove, too. It's called Two Toots, and the nice thing about it is the train delivers the food to every table in the restaurant, not just the tables near the tracks. However, it is a very small place, so you should be prepared to wait.

We took my son last summer when he was two, as well.
The day we went was very busy, we arrived around 10:30 and all of the thomas rides were sold out until 5:30. We didn't want to stay all day. I'm not sure that I would say to buy the thomas tickets ahead of time though. My son was (and still is) a thomas trains fanatic, and was so excited to see Thomas. However, when we got close to that huge looming train, my son was almost terrified. Needless to say, the last thing he wanted to do was get on.

On a side note, my sons doctor even commented on how busy it was for being out in the middle of nowhere. But it is a fun day nonetheless.

I've never been before, but we're planning to take my 2.5 yo. FYI -- I just bought our tickets on-line, and all the morning train ride slots are sold out except for the very last morning of Sunday, August 26. Almost all the afternoon slots every day still had tickets available.

Hi M. ,

My husband and I have taken our two sons (3 and 2 ) for the past 2 years and they love it , we also have purchased the tickets on line through the thomas site , there is alot to do for littles ones FYI when you first walk in there is a huge tent full of thomas toys and train tables to play on . It is sure worth it . Now I have gone at different times and found earlier the better simply becasue of the heat and nap schedules . Also if your interested there is also a theme park in Union called the wild wild west and you guys would pass it before getting to the museum , that is alot of fun too . We are going again this year , it has now become a family outting . Enjoy and take lots of pictures .

Hi M., we went last year when my son was 2. I would recommend buying tickets ahead of time so you can go before his afternoon nap. I would say that the earlier the better. We went in the afternoon and it was VERY busy, hot and our son was tired and ready for his nap. We're going to go early this year.

My three year old will experience Thomas for the third time this August. It is important to acquire tickets early. Ordering them through the Illinois Railway Museum is as easy as a telephone call and less expensive than ticketron. I have found a Sunday afternoon, is the best time to go, a little more relaxed than the morning. It is hetic taking pictures in front of Thomas and with Sir Topham. There are aprox. 50 other trains open to the public and one that circles around the property. the food on the grounds are typical and very basic. Traveling to the Railway Museum aprox. 5 miles before, there is a Western town offering a better dinning experience.
Have fun, with Thomas. It is a great experience.
M.