All Aboard! Kennywood Adding New 'Thomas Town' Attraction To Park
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WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) -- Pittsburgh's youngest train enthusiasts will love the new addition coming soon to Kennywood.
Officials announced Tuesday the park's newest attraction, "Thomas Town at Kennywood," is being built on the historic Olde Kennywood Railroad site.
According to Kennywood, the attraction "will bring to life everyone's favorite No. 1 Engine, along with his friends and favorite destinations from the Island of Sodor!"
The addition will feature four new family rides based on the characters from the beloved children's series, "Thomas the Tank Engine."
Those rides include Cranky's Drop Tower, Harold's Helicopters, Firefighting Flynn, and The Convoy, as well as shows with "Sir Toppham Hatt and his Really Useful Engines," a new gift shop, play area, party pavilion and games.
"'Thomas Town' that is going to feature four new rides, plus a re-themed train ride, all based on the "Thomas and Friends" brand. It's really one of the most beloved children's characters in the world," said Kennywood spokesperson Nick Paradise.
Look who's making tracks to Kennywood this summer! Thomas Town will bring 4 new family rides to Kennywood, plus a whole lot more fun! https://t.co/IzjQFxlkI7 pic.twitter.com/sEOCMD7NkY
— Kennywood Park (@Kenny_Kangaroo) February 6, 2018
The $8.5 million attraction will be one of the largest single-season additions in Kennywood's history.
"We've remove the floral clock and the fountain that was in this area, along with the basketball game. The clock will be relocated, but we'll be putting two rides in the place where those are," said Paradise of the set-up. "The line for the Raging Rapids, which extends kind of near the train is going to move on to the other side, closer to the Thunderbolt, and we'll have a train crossing right about here where folks can go inside the train yard."
He says both children and adults will be able to ride everything in the new section of the park.
Kiddie Land and the Auto Race next door will remain the same.
In an interesting bit of trivia, the year "Thomas the Tank Engine" was written in 1945 is the same year Kennywood added its first train ride.
"Thomas Town" won't be finished by opening day in May, but Thomas and all the characters will out by June. Kennywood is hoping the new addition will bring guests from far and wide.
