New Hope Valley Railway plans Thomas in the Garden event this weekend

For Thomas the Tank Engine fans out there, New Hope Valley Railway has a special event this weekend.

Thomas in the Garden is Sunday, Sept. 8, and features the railway's model trains. Visitors can take a ride on a real train and then watch Thomas and Friends model trains operate on more than 1,000 feet of miniature track on the railway’s outdoor Garden Railroad, according to a press release.

Joe Austin, a garden railfan and member of the North Carolina Garden Railroad Society, will bring some of his Thomas and Friends model locomotives to operate on NHVR’s model railroad during the event, the release says.

“Our Garden Railroad operates during each ride event at our railway, but the Thomas in the Garden event is special because visitors have the opportunity to see multiple Thomas and Friends model trains run simultaneously on numerous tracks,” said Tom Hutchinson, who heads up marketing at the all-volunteer railway, in the release. “This event is a great way for families and friends to spend a fun afternoon together riding a real train and watching smaller model trains.”

Next up this month at the railway is the final Brew ‘n’ Choo of the year, scheduled for Sept. 28.

New Hope Valley Railway is in Bonsal in southwestern Wake County.