Thomas the Tank Engine is about to get its own theme park at Edaville USA Railroad, close to Boston, Massachusetts.
Coming in Q3 of 2015, the HIT Entertainment-licensed Thomas Land will boast 14 rides based on the popular children's IP, including a 20-minute scenic train ride on a life-sized Thomas locomotive as well as a Thomas rollercoaster, drop tower, ferris wheel, soft-play area and more.
Park visitors will be able to visit familiar destinations from the the fictional Island of Sodor, including the Tidmouth Sheds, Knapford Station and Brendam Docks.
As with all Thomas attractions, The Fat Controller will be present to welcome guests to the park and the addition of Thomas and friends is expected to quadruple the park’s attendance to one million visitors per annum,
highlighting the influence of the Thomas brand.
There are currently two other Thomas Lands, in the UK and Japan, but the US version would be the largest to date.
Edaville already has a working relationship with HIT, with the Days Out With Thomas annual event proving popular among visitors.
Once complete, the development is expected to create around 200 additional permanent jobs to the 100 already in place.