Southern California Railway Museum, 2201 S. A Street, Perris, CA
Take a ride with Thomas, meet Percy and Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy a day of fun! Advanced Ticket Purchase is highly recommended as select times sell out quickly and might not be available the day of the event at the Ticket Booths.
*Thomas ticket is required for admission to event. All activities are included with admission. Activities can be subject to change – please call or email for most up to date information. 951.943.3020 | info@socalrailway.org
Please visit our Day Out with Thomas Volunteer Info Page
Day Out With Thomas™ is an event for everyone that offers aspiring engineers and their crew the unique opportunity to take a ride with the classic storybook engine, Thomas the Tank Engine™, at regional heritage railroads across the country.
Since Thomas the Tank Engine first left the depot in 1945, this Really Useful Engine and his Island of Sodor friends have chugged their way into the hearts of preschoolers and grownups worldwide. Based on The Railway Series of classic stories authored by a father who loved trains and wanted a shared experience with his son, Thomas & Friends™ is a rite of passage that inspires the imagination while teaching life lessons of friendship, exploration and cooperation.
Day Out With Thomas welcomes passengers of all ages – there is something for everyone at this event!
Thomas the Tank Engine has traveled all the way from the Island of Sodor and has arrived Right on Time to take a ride with you and your crew.
Percy has joined Thomas on this journey and will be at SoCal Railway Museum to meet you and your crew.
Yes, Sir Topham Hatt will take time away from his busy schedule as Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor to meet and take pictures with guests.
Visit Thomas at the Southern California Railway Museum (formerly Orange Empire Railway Museum)
2201 South A Street
Perris, CA 92570
Day Out with Thomas will be visiting the Southern California Railway Museum Spring 2026 on April 11, 12, 18 and 19 2026.
Tickets On Sale online summer prior to the event at https://www.ticketweb.com/venue/southern-california-railway-museum-perris-ca/14521.
Ticket prices range from $19.00 to $27.00 + Fees
Tickets can be purchased through TicketWeb ONLINE (new llink:https://www.ticketweb.com/venue/southern-california-railway-museum-perris-ca/14521) or call 866-468-7630
Tickets are required for guests ages one and up. Thomas ticket is required for event admission.
A ticket for Day Out With Thomas includes admission to the museum, the train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine, as well as a variety of Thomas & Friends themed entertainment, give-a-ways, and more. Guests will also have the opportunity to meet Sir Topham Hatt, the Controller of the Railway on the Island of Sodor. For an additional amount, train rides with Percy will be available on a first-come first-served basis (Percy’s train is smaller than Thomas’s).
Each gated event ticket also includes admission to the museum to explore the West’s largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars, buildings and other artifacts dating from the 1870’s.
Tickets and confirmations will be emailed at the time of purchase. Guests may print out and presented on the day of the event or show the QR code within the email.
There are no refunds or exchanges on this rain or shine event.
Due to the popularity of Day Out With Thomas, advance ticket purchase is highly recommended. It is not uncommon for events and select departure times to sell out. When purchasing tickets you will be asked to select a specific date and time for your ride with Thomas. Your ticket is valid only for that date and time.
From the West (Los Angeles):
Take I-10 east or Route 60 east or Route 91 east to I-215. Take the I-215 South to Perris. In Perris exit Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west or 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Follow A Street south for 1.5 miles. Museum parking is on your left.
From the North (San Bernardino, Riverside):
Take I-215 south to Perris. In Perris, take the exit to Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west for 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Follow A Street south for 1.5 miles. The Museum parking is on your left.
From the South (San Diego):
Take the I-15 north to I-215 north. Follow I-215 north to Perris. In Perris, exit Route 74 West. Follow Route 74/4th Street west for 1 mile. Turn left onto A Street. Take A Street south 1.5 miles. Museum parking is on your left.
Yes. There is parking available on site. Parking is FREE
Parking is FREE for this event
Please review our Event Map page
Thomas departs on the hour between 9am and 4pm. Saturdays will feature additional departures on the bottom of the hour between 11am-2pm.
Percy departs at 10 past the hour between 9:10am and 4:10pm.
It is recommended that guests arrive at the event at least one hour before their scheduled departure. They should be in line 30 minutes prior to their scheduled departure. Boarding stops 15 minutes before each departure to ensure all guests are safely seated and Thomas departs on time. There is so much to see and enjoy at this event, so feel free to come early to enjoy all of the other activities before your train ride! Event hours are 8am-5pm. Check out our event schedule here for the most up to date activities and times.
If a guests has missed their train please let our station master know. Guests will be rebooked on the next available train with vacancy – this does not guarantee the next scheduled departure.
Tickets are assigned by time. Guests must be together during boarding if they wish to sit together on the train. Boarding stops 15 minutes before each departure. Late arrivals will not be permitted to board
Your ride on the train with Thomas is approximately 20 minutes. If you purchase an additional add-on ticket to ride on Percy, that ride is approximately 15 minutes. The train follows the tracks within and along the Museum Campus. Please note if you purchase a 4pm Thomas ticket and a Percy ticket, you will need to ride Percy on one of his earlier departures (i.e. 9:10am-3:10pm)
There is one train ride per ticket. You are welcome to ride our historic trolley as many times as you would like though!
Southern California Railway Museum is a working railroad and is required to follow all Federal Railroad Administration guidelines, including any COVID-19 restrictions. Please visit our COVID-19 Guidance Page for more info regarding masks.
Day Out With Thomas events take place rain or shine.
Absolutely! Guests are encouraged to capture their Day Out With Thomas memories for their photo albums and to share online. Don’t forget to tag your photos with the hashtag #DayOutWithThomas
The Food Court has a large selection of food, drinks and snacks. The Museum Store also has a variety of snacks, ice cream, and cold drinks. Guests are welcome to bring their own food and drink as well. NO ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED.
Day Out With Thomas welcomes guests of all ages. There are designated areas for “stroller parking” before boarding the trains, trolleys, or entering the pop-up merchandise tent.
Many areas of the event are handicap accessible. The older historic trolleys and railcars were designed and built before accessibility requirements but we will do our best to accommodate all of our guests. Wheel chair lifts are available on both Thomas and Percy, please just inform one of our hosts when you enter the boarding area.
If you have a disability that makes it difficult to stand in line, please visit our Information Booth to receive a Priority Boarding Pass which will allow you to join the boarding tent 20 minutes before your departure. All guests must be in the boarding tent 20 minutes prior as boarding stops 15 minutes before each departure to ensure that guests are safely seated and Thomas and Percy depart on time.
No pets are allowed at Day Out With Thomas. Service animals are welcome.
We recommend the Ayres Hotel in Moreno Valley.
There is additional lodging available in Perris and nearby Moreno Valley or Menifee.
You can find the complete Day Out With Thomas Annual Schedule by visiting www.dayoutwiththomas.com. For information on other Thomas & Friends experiences, please visit www.thomasandfriends.com and click on “Events.”
2201 S. "A" Street, Perris, CA 92570
PO Box 548, Perris, CA 92572
© 2025 Southern California Railway Museum. All Rights Reserved. Terms & Conditions
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