The discussion about the "Thomas" incident went on for about a half-hour. It became rather wide-ranging about the particulars of "Thomas" events and management.

I am confident of the sources that I feel comfortable posting it. I could have posted a LOT more specific information, but don't feel comfortable doing so.

Leave the particulars of the EBT aside. The theoretical discussion is, should the little blue guy have shown up at all in such a place? HIT Entertainment (or whoever is running the Thomas franchise these days) apparently both micromanages and macromanages the events, to the point where it's a lot of work and publicity--but to what end and reward?

The suggestion was made during that half-hour conversation that "Thomas" events may work better at places that already have large infrastructure already in place--Strasburg, Grand Canyon, North Carolina Transportation Museum, etc.--and much less so where you have to marshal up a lot of effort and support structure ("middle of nowhere" EBT, etc.). It's that discussion that should be prompted.

This is getting more than ridiculous.