Thomas the Tank Engine is set to roll into Chattanooga for the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour.

The event, which takes place April 24, 25, 26 and May 2 and 3, will be hosted by the Tennessee Valley Railroad and presented by HIT Entertainment and sponsored by The LEGO Group.

For its 14th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour will visit more than 40 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 Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed 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. In addition, exclusive Thomas & Friends merchandise is available at Day Out With Thomas events including a 2009 Day Out With Thomas passenger car and commemorative T-shirts, pennants, engineer caps, frames, and more.

Thomas the Tank Engine, star of Thomas & Friends, on PBS KIDS and PBS KIDS Sprout will be kicking off his Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour in March and is expected to welcome more than one million passengers through December.

During the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour, children will ride with Thomas up steep hills, around deep, blue lakes, and help him rescue his engine friends—if only in their imaginations.

Day Out with Thomas 2009 activities include:

A 25-minute (approximate) 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, live music, and more.

During the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Hero of the Rails Tour, children will also be provided with a “Tour Map,” that guides them through the four station stops – the Imagination Station, the Meet & Greet with Sir Topham Hatt, the Storytelling/Video Viewing area and the gift shop - after receiving four stamps on their map, each child will receive a 3-D Thomas poster with glasses (while supplies last).

The tour provides an interactive family experience at every station, offering a variety of entertaining activities that reflect the local flavor of each stop. At the Tennessee Valley Railroad activities will include: magic shows, mini golf, bouncy tent, crane demonstrations, and much more.

The approximately 25-minute train ride with Thomas the Tank Engine will depart every hour, rain or shine, with departure times at 9 a.m. through 6:30 p.m. daily.

Tickets for the Day Out With Thomas 2009: The Heroes of the Rail 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 Tennessee Valley Railroad at www.tvrail.com or call 894-8028.