Teacher Helps Give California Boy A Special Day At Thomas Land

CARVER (CBS) - It's a dream come true day for a young boy in love with a very famous train. And coming to Massachusetts brought it all alive.

Kingston Jones, an 8-year-old from California, is on the autism spectrum, and Thomas the Tank Engine is one of his windows on the world. On Thursday, a visit to "Thomas Land" at Edaville USA in Carver, became the most special day of his young life.

"I knew that I liked Thomas so much and I said, 'mom, can we go to Thomas Land,'" says Kingston.

The problem is, Kingston Jones lives in Monrovia, California and Thomas Land is 3,000 miles away in Carver, Mass. But for Kingston, Thomas is simply the best.

"He's helpful, confident and strong," Kingston says. So Kingston's second grade teacher had a bold idea. She started a GoFundMe page to pay for a very big trip.

It was important because Kingston, who is on the autism spectrum, gains so much from the make believe train. "Kids with autism usually do have one or two interests that they really pour their heart and soul into. He uses his knowledge about Thomas to communicate with other people," says Ani Baker, Kingston's teacher.

Edaville and a lot of other area businesses also got involved, and Kingston's family and teacher had Thomas Land all to themselves Thursday. "Hotel rooms and gifts and food and transportation, we all participated. Everybody wanted to be part of it," says Jon Delli Priscoli, the owner of Edaville USA.

Kingston met Sir Topham Hat, had a ball on every attraction and got his own dream ride courtesy of his dear friend, Thomas. "This experience is one of the most incredible things that ever happened to my son and he's going to remember it forever," says Kingston's mother Mia Brown.

"I was just so happy that I came to Thomas Land," Kingston says.