Thomas & Friends:
Explore the Rails!

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Full steam ahead to engineering fun

Inspired by the popular children’s series, step onto the Island of Sodor and join the team of Thomas & Friends in this interactive exhibit that engages visitors in foundational skills that foster STEM literacy through playful learning experiences. Climb aboard a large model of Thomas to explore the engine’s inner workings, suit up as the conductor and sell train tickets, work together to sort and load cargo and maintain the engines to get them back on track.
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Exhibit Details

Content Focus

Science, technology, engineering and math

Size

2,000 sq. ft.

Price

$60,000

Target Audience

Ages 2 to 7 | Families and school groups

Logistics

Tallest component is 9 ft.
1 truck, 12 – 4’x8’ wheeled collapsible carts

Exhibit Highlights

Some of the most popular components of the exhibit

All Aboard Thomas

Climb into the cab of a scaled model of Thomas and explore the engine’s inner workings. The model’s levers and other moveable parts trigger train noises such as breaking, whistles, and steam.

Knapford Station

Sell train tickets, fix the train schedule as trains arrive early and late and sort freight and baggage onto train cars on the station platform.

Train Table

Drive trains all around a large train table based on the Island of Sodor, with crawl-through openings to play in the middle of the island.

Sodor Steamworks

Help Victor fix Percy’s wobbly wheels and work together to load coal and water until enough steam builds to start Percy’s engine.

Playful Learning

By transporting children to the mythical Island of Sodor, the exhibit aims to:

  • Provide opportunities to engage with fun, active, constructive and meaningful STEM experiences, harnessing children’s innate curiosity and eagerness to explore
  • Foster and promote experiences with peers that showcase the powerful result of teamwork
  • Elevate and reveal children’s thinking for adults and reinforce the adult’s vital role throughout the learning process
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"Our members and guests absolutely loved the exhibit. It has multi-generational interest with the history of the program as well as many hands on activities for the children."

Family Museum

"This is so awesome! Thank you for bringing these quality exhibits to town!"

Visitor at Dacotah Prairie Museum