I live a few miles from the Strasburg Railroad, and I assure you, no one that lives around here is excited about this.
The "Thomas" events are a huge burden on the surrounding area. Compared to size of attendance, the revenue generated is minimal. Very few businesses (other than Strasburg Railroad and the Railroad Museum of PA), make money on these events, and the traffic for 3 days is horrible, further reducing revenue from "regular" tourist, who avoid the area like a plague during these weekends. The majority of those attending the "Thomas" events only make "Day Trips", so very few Hotel/Motel revenues. They generally either bring their own food, or eat at cheap fast food joints (young children don't spend $60.00 on Italian, at Olive Garden), further reducing revenue.
Then there is the issue of the "class of people" who seem to frequent the events...driving like idiots, in a hurry to get there and back in one day, without springing for a motel...throwing their trash in our front yards as they speed by...yeah, gotta love cleaning up old mcdonalds burgers from your front lawn, and getting run off the road as they try to pass 12 other cars, waiting behind 4 Amish buggies going 15 MPH for Sunday Church.
If you have young children, do them a favor, take them to learn something at the museum, or spend a day hiking in nature...STOP THE THOMAS MADNESS!!
