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No More Day Out With Thomas- Background: Henry Ford Museum, Thomas the Train in Foreground

Toot!Toot! Thomas the Train Is Skipping Greenfield Village in 2026

Sad news, after 25 years, Greenfield Village will not be hosting Thomas the Tank Engine™️ in 2026.

My daughter loved this event when she was a toddler.

About Day Out With Thomas™️

Typically, there are two Day Out with Thomas™️ Michigan locations – the event at Greenfield Village in May and at Crossroads Village in August. Thomas will still be at Crossroads Village in Flint this year!!

Typically Greenfield Village hosts Day Out with Thomas™️ – usually on 3 weekends in April and May. For 2025, Thomas was at Greenfield Village on May 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18.

On February 24, 2026, The Henry Ford announced that there are mechanical problems with the Steam Powered Thomas. There is another model of Thomas, but it is not compatible with the historic trains at Henry Ford. From the statement, it sounds like this is a permanent change and not a single year cancellation. Via their Facebook post, they have confirmed that this is not a single year cancellation.

From The Henry Ford’s Instagram Post:

Update from the Henry Ford

Due to unforseen mechanical complications with the Steam Powered Thomas the Tank Engine™️, The Henry Ford is no longer able to host Day Out with Thomas™️.

While Day Out with Thomas™️ does also operate under a different powered model at events across the country, that model is incompatible with with the historic train operations in Greenfield Village.

The Henry Ford has been a proud host of this program for 25 years and we thank Mattel, Inc. for their incredible partnership. We also thank the thousands of members and guests who have experienced this event and joined us for a memorable Day Out With Thomas™️.

We attended Day Out with Thomas™️ at Greenfield Village twice when my daughter was younger (plus once at Crossroads Village). We really enjoyed it each time. My daughter loved getting to ride on Thomas the Tank Engine™️. We are said for the next generation of kids who will not get to experience this event.

Day Out With Thomas - Riding the Train with her aunt

She also loved having her picture taken with Thomas. They also had lots of activities including story time, stamps, play tables, and more. There is even live music.

Day Out With Thomas - Playing with Trains

Day Out with Thomas is a great family event that welcomes passengers to ride train cars pulled by Thomas. One of our visits was on Mother’s Day. However, it is best for families with children age 4 and under. Even at 4, my daughter wanted to explore Greenfield Village as much as participate in the Thomas the Train activities.

Pi(e) & a Pint - Saturday, March 14 1-4p Corner Brewery, Ypsilanti Ticket includes 2 slices of pizza & a beer or refreshing N/A beverage Buy a slice or a pie to take home from one of several local bakeries. Indoor Mini-Golf Family-Friendly Event Proceeds directly support home delivery of nutritious meals and vital wellness checks for homebound seniors in our community! - images of Pi, pies, pizza, and beer and Arbor Brewing Company logo

Pi(e) & a Pint

Saturday, March 14 – Get Your Tix Now

Book Sale - March 25-28, 2026 9a-8p Huge Book Sale in Ann Arbor Quality Books, Quality Prices 1000s of Awesome Books, DVDs, Puzzles, & Games, The Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds Building A 5055 Ann Arbor-Saline Rd, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Find important information in event details.

HUGE JLC Book Sale

Wednesday-Sunday, March 25-28

Day Out With Thomas™️: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour.

Each year Thomas tours across the US and Canada making stops at various venues. The 2026 theme is Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour. We have been lucky to have two Michigan Thomas the Train stops. Greenfield Village in Dearborn in April/May and Crossroads Village and Huckleberry Railroad in Flint in August.

The Henry Ford announced they will no longer be hosting Day Out with Thomas on February 24, 2026.

The good news is Crossroads Village & Huckelberry Railroad in Flint will still be hosting Thomas the Tank Engine in August. When I originally wrote this article on the afternoon of February 24, I was uncertain of the status of the Crossroads Village Day Out With Thomas™️. It was listed on the Crossroads Village website, but not the Day Out With Thomas website. Later in the afternoon, they posted on Facebook that they were finalizing arrangements. As of this morning (February 25), they are now listed on the Day Out With Thomas™️ website for August 14-16 & 21-23 (Tickets available soon).

Alternatives to Day Out With Thomas™️

While Greenfield Village is no longer hosting Day Out With Thomas, we do still have suggestions for train lovers.

A visit to Greenfield Village is still a great option for train lovers. You can ride the train (it just won’t be Thomas themed). Visit the Roundhouse, participate in village activities. Maybe include a combination trip to The Henry Ford and check out their indoor trains as well.

Take a train ride! When my daughter was 4 we took the train to Chicago – she had to wear her Thomas shirt.

Chicago Trip - on Amtrak

Visit the train themed playground at Wheeler Park across the street from the Ann Arbor Train Station.

Wheeler Park

Where to See Vehicles in Ann Arbor

Planes, trucks, trains, and cars…most kids are fascinated by them at some point. The good news is there are so many options for kids to get up close with vehicles near Ann Arbor. Where to See them Anytime Museums In the immediate area there are two great museums that feature vehicles. The Michigan Firehouse Museum […]

Greenfield Village

My daughter has loved visiting Greenfield Village since our first trip to Thomas when she was 2. By 4 she was as interested in the historic buildings as she was in the Thomas activities. Greenfield Village’s playground is a huge hit with the kids. Be sure to check our Greenfield Village Activity Review for information on fun activities (besides Thomas) and dining at Greenfield Village

Greenfield Village Kids At Work Playground

Visit Henry Ford Museum

There are plenty of train exhibits inside the museum. Consider combining both the museum and village in one trip.

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17 thoughts on “Toot!Toot! Thomas the Train Is Skipping Greenfield Village in 2026”

  1. Samantha starcher

    I have never been to Greenfield Village but the Day out with Thomas sounds like a fun time, especially with a soon to be 3 year old boy.

  2. My kiddos would love this. It would be a great adventure for them. Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂

  3. My kids love Percy as well. Great to see they have a sensory friendly event now! Two of my kids have autism and we had to leave the event twice last year and almost missed our ride. This is great news.

  4. Just discovered your page – thanks for presenting the opportunity to win tickets! My 2 year old loves Thomas & Percy. 🙂

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