It’s the next best thing to riding Barney as the biggest name in rail transit (now in his sixth decade) makes a two-weekend whistle stop in Nashville. A 25-ton replica of the moon-faced engine settles onto the tracks at Riverfront Park, giving train-loving tots a 25-minute excursion as well as a chance to meet Thomas’ buddy Sir Topham Hatt. In addition, there’ll be storytelling, live music, videos, temporary tattoos, and Lego Duplo blocks in case kids want to build their own depot. The train leaves on the hour from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m., and tickets are $18 for everyone ages 2 and up. Food and drink will be available. And be sure to take a look around the Tennessee Central Railway Museum and its holdings of classic railroad memorabilia. See www.tcry.org for ticket information.
Saturdays, Sundays. Starts: Sept. 5. Continues through Sept. 13, 2009
