Meeting Thomas the Tank Engine™

Posted in Programs and Events on January 7 2009, by Plant Talk

Samantha Buck is an Interpretation Intern for Public Education.

On my second day as an intern with The New York Botanical Garden, I had the esteemed pleasure of meeting Sir Topham Hatt and Thomas the Tank Engine™ from the Island of Sodor (both of whom were much larger than I remembered from watching the television show as a child). The excitement was palpable as a growing number of fans arrived in the Arthur and Janet Ross Lecture Hall, the majority of whom toted small children anxious for the experience.

I carefully folded the gray and white paper conductor’s hat that was presented to me, pulled the elastic around my head, and was ready for my adventure! As I was greeted by the silently enthusiastic Sir Topham Hatt, visitors settled in to watch an episode or two of Thomas & Friends, who came to life on the big screen. Following the film, some in the audience went forward to meet Sir Topham Hatt. It was refreshing to see the youngsters interacting with him so animatedly.

I got the royal treatment: becoming an honorary engineer so I could “help Thomas and his friends out if they were ever in trouble.” Younger “engineers” were also presented with coloring pages of Thomas, James, Percy, and Gordon, along with a box of crayons and stickers depicting other favorites. And of course, no visit to this event would be complete without a photo with Thomas the Tank Engine™ himself, happy and eager as ever to meet each and every one of his fans.

Come visit Thomas the Tank Engine™—he’s here through January 11.