Thomas the Tank Engine hits the town

IF YOU GOWhat: Day Out With Thomas.When: Various times Saturday, Sunday and May 5-6 and 12.Where: Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, 4119 Cromwell Road, off Jersey Pike.Admission: $19 per person ages 2 and older, $14 per person for groups of 20 or more. Reservations encouraged.Phone: 866-468-7630.Website: www.ticketweb.com/dowt or www.tvrail.com.

The Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum hosts one of its most popular events starting Saturday when Thomas the Tank Engine steams into the Cromwell Road station.

Thomas is the fictional blue-and-red steam locomotive created by the Rev. Wilbert Awdry and his son, Christopher, in their Railway Series books.

Thomas will make himself useful at TVRM by pulling nine, 25-minute train rides each of five days during his visit to Chattanooga. Departure times are 9, 10 and 11 a.m., noon, 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, 4:30 and 5:30 p.m. An additional evening ride is offered at 6:30 on the three Saturdays.

Spokesman Steve Freer said the most tickets remain for the two Sundays and the final two Saturdays. Tickets for this Saturday are close to selling out, he said.

The $19 ticket includes train ride, storytelling, videos, temporary tattoos of Island of Sodor friends, children's crafts and the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, railway controller on the Island of Sodor.

TVRM officials encourage advance reservations. Tickets are assigned by time. Groups wishing to sit together on the train must board together.

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