Thomas the Tank Engine rolls into Burnet on Sept. 28-29
Thomas the Tank Engine returns to Burnet on Sept. 28-29 for the annual Day Out With Thomas. The event turns the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St., into a virtual Island of Sodor. Thomas, 'the cheeky little engine,' is bringing lots of friends for kids of all ages to enjoy. Along with plenty of entertainment, people can enjoy a ride on Thomas the Tank Engine. Go to www.austinsteamtrain.org for more information or for tickets. File photo
JARED FIELDS • PICAYUNE STAFF
BURNET — Children around the world have fallen in love with trains because of Thomas the Tank Engine.
For decades, Thomas has been a favorite in books and on TV, and once a year, children have a chance to see the big, blue engine.
Day Out With Thomas rolls into the Burnet Community Center, 401 E. Jackson St., on Sept. 28-29.
The Austin Steam Train Association and the city of Burnet bring the “very useful engine” to town for the fifth year for a day filled with Thomas stories, arts and crafts, and memorabilia.
Tickets to ride the train with Thomas are on sale online at www.austinsteamtrain.org or by phone at (512) 477-8468. Some tickets are reserved on-site for walk-up purchase at the event.
Crista Bromley, Burnet’s director of economic development, said each year’s event brings about $80,000 to the city from visitors.
“Over the period they are here, it will bring in 20,000 people to the community,” Bromley said. “It puts people in our restaurants, stores and introduces a lot of people to our town.”
The majority of people come from the Austin and San Antonio areas for Day Out With Thomas. Bromley said, though, people have come from across the state and both ends of the nation to see their favorite engine.
Rides with Thomas begin each morning at 8:30 a.m. and continue at 50-minute intervals until 5:40 p.m. each evening.
jared@thepicayune.com