US amusement park Kennywood is to introduce a Thomas Town themed area for its 120th anniversary season. Featuring five rides, it will be second-largest permanent Thomas & Friends attraction in North America.

Guests will be able to see Thomas the Tank Engine and his friends together with favourite destinations from the Island of Sodor, brought to life in authentic detail. Attractions will include a Thomas train ride, themed play and entertainment areas, and a stage show featuring Thomas’ friends Percy, James, Emily and Gordon. There will also be merchandise and photo opportunities.

The site allocated to Thomas Town within the park lends itself well to Sodor, set on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River and the historic Edgar Thomson Steel Works in nearby Braddock. The new area will be one of the largest single-year additions in Kennywood’s 120-year history.

There will actually be four fresh rides as the train ride will be a retheming of old classic. All the new attractions will be placed in and around the footprint of the Olde Kennywood Railroad, which has operated at the park near Pittsburgh since 1945.

“We’re so excited to welcome Thomas & Friends to Kennywood,” says general manager Jerome Gibas. “Thomas Town presents a huge addition that expands our family offerings. We couldn’t ask for a better gift for Kennywood and our guests to help celebrate our 120th anniversary season in 2018.”

Kennywood is owned and operated by Palace Entertainment, part of the Parques Reunidos group. The new land is being created in partnership with Thomas brand owner and toy company Mattel. A larger Thomas & Friends themed area can be found at Edaville Family Theme Park in Massachusetts. More details on the upcoming installation in Pennsylvania will be revealed in the coming months.