Courtesy Photo Thomas the Train will appear in Rursk this weekend. Rusk, TX - Peep! Peep! Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Texas for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour. The event, which takes place October 17, 18, 19 and 24, 25, 26, 2008, will be hosted by the Texas State Railroad and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by the LEGO Group.

For more than six decades, children have been captivated with the tales of Thomas the Tank Engine. Pulling out of the station for its 13th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada. Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody's favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomasthemed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts. Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors.

Thomas the Tank Engine, star of Thomas & Friends™, on PBS KIDS® and PBS KIDS SproutSM will be kicking off his Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour in March and is expected to welcome more than 1 million passengers through December. During the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour, children will be provided with a "Great Discovery Tour Map," that guides them through the various event activities. At the last stop, each child will receive a free gift. Activities include:

A 30-minute ride with Thomas the Tank Engine

The opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt™, Controller of the Railway

A Thomas & Friends Imagination Station; featuring stamps, temporary tattoos, hands-on arts and crafts activities and coloring sheets.

Storytelling, video viewing and live music.

Fans will rally to nominate Thomas to the "National Toy Hall of Fame" when he will enlist the help of his friends on a brand-new adventure - his journey to the National Toy Hall of Fame®. All attendees can add their name to the petition. The National Toy Hall of Fame, at the Strong National Museum of Play®, in Rochester, NY, recognizes toys that have achieved Icon Status, having enjoyed popularity over multiple generations. By signing a petition at any of the 2008 Day Out with Thomas Events, fans can help Thomas make tracks to The National Toy Hall of Fame.

The tour provides a unique, interactive family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. At the Texas State Railroad activities will include: Bounce houses, miniature horses, hayride, balloon animals, gold dig & bubbles.

The approximately 30- minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every 45 minutes, rain or shine, with departure times at 10:00am through 3:15pm on Fridays & Sundays and 10:00 am through 4:00 pm on Saturdays. Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour are $18 plus tax for ages two and up.

Tickets are on sale now by calling toll-free 866.468.7630 or logging onto www.ticketweb.com/thomas For more information and directions contact the Texas State Railroad at 1-888-987- 2461 or visit www.TexasStateRR.com.

For general information or to find a Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour event near you, visit, www.thomasandfriends.com.