MomsTribute
The best blog for working moms with babies and young children is one with personal recommendation from another mom. My recommendation today is to take your family for a short drive out of Chicagoland to Union, Illinois, to the kid-friendly Illinois Railway Museum for a day during some special programming opportunities for youngsters scheduled for this summer.
Back in 2017, my children and I enjoyed one such special event along with their grandfather, an avid train enthusiast. The day was filled with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to ride their beloved Thomas the Train locomotive and other special events. My children's fun activities then are still to be enjoyed today as the museum strives to maintain its unique place in our train-loving hearts. Being able to toot the train horn puts every child into the scene and the smiles begin to multiply. Putting on conductor hats brings the role to life. Every young dream of a life with trains begins here with the hat! The playtime continues with all the exciting creativity of pretending to be the conductor and checking tickets. And all the family are involved; in our case Papa enjoyed the additional exhibits of older trains and shared stories of when he was younger with his grandkids. Intergenerational conversations, as every busy working mom knows, is quality time with five star rating.
Chugga-chugga, chugga-chugga, choo choo! The Illinois Railway Museum located in Union, Illinois, is about an hour and half drive northwest of Chicago. The museum “entertrains” train enthusiasts of young and of old. Coming July 2023, however, programming designed specifically for lovers of Thomas the Tank Engine, will surely bring a smile to your family’s faces!
The stories of Thomas the Tank Engine teach children valuable lessons about friendship, teamwork, responsibility, and problem-solving. Each story typically follows a simple narrative structure, where the engines face a challenge or dilemma and work together to find a solution.
Thomas the Train, is a beloved children's character that originated from "The Railway Series" books written by the Reverend W. Awdry. The stories were first published in 1945 and have since captured the hearts of millions of children around the world. Thomas the Tank Engine's story revolves around the adventures of anthropomorphic trains on the fictional Island of Sodor.
The central character, Thomas, is a small blue steam locomotive with a cheerful personality. He is eager to work and is always ready to help his friends. Thomas is based at the Tidmouth Sheds, where he lives and interacts with other engines and railway vehicles.
The Island of Sodor is home to a diverse group of locomotives and rolling stock, each with its own unique personality. The engines are assigned different tasks and responsibilities under the guidance of the Fat Controller (Sir Topham Hatt). Throughout the series, Thomas and his friends embark on various adventures, facing challenges, learning valuable lessons, and fostering friendship and teamwork.
Over the years, Thomas the Tank Engine has expanded beyond books into various adaptations, including “Thomas & Friends,” which is the focus of this kid-friendly featured venue. A Day out with Thomas features locomotives designed like the animated television series called "Thomas & Friends," which personifies the most recent depictions of the cartoon characters seen on PBS channels throughout America. The Illinois Railway Museum is lucky to host this traveling exhibit, which will take place for two weekends only in mid-July.
Some of Thomas's notable friends include: Percy, James, Gordon, Emily, and Toby. Some of these trains will also be on display and available to take short rides throughout the museum property. Also included for your enjoyment:
The Thomas the Train franchise has also produced movies, merchandise, and theme park attractions, ensuring that the lovable trains continue to captivate young audiences with their timeless adventures. However, these opportunities lie beyond the Chicagoland areas - so be sure to check out these friends to see and admire at the Illinois Railway Museum on July 15-16 and July 22-23. It is indeed a very special event and not to be missed! It occurs bi-annually, so hurry, don’t miss your train or kick your caboose! Tickets are $23 apiece and will sell out, so plan ahead to get “All Aboard!” and make a memorable, kid-friendly day out of it with the family.
Amenities at The Illinois Railway Museum:
Dana H
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