Thomas the Tank Engine might be blue, but the preschoolers at St. Joseph Elementary School in Libertyville could have sworn he was red - and green, yellow and orange.

St. Joseph's 4-year-old preschool classes joined together recently for an in-school field trip about trains, hosted by the Kohl Children's Museum.

The students read books and were taught about the different kinds of rail cars. They then decorated their own boxcars to take home.

Principal Charles Lynch said the school is trying to incorporate more in-school programs like this, especially for the preschoolers.

The school does not like to take the very young students on outside field trips, and having the programs come to the school is a more effective way for them to have fun and learn, Lynch said.

St. Joseph's preschool teacher Barbara Jensen said bringing the Kohl Children's Museum to the school was inspired by her experience with her own children.

Jensen went to the Glenview museum with her children when they were young and thought the in-school programs would be great for her classroom. She picked the museums's "All Aboard" program to supplement the transportation unit she is teaching now.

Her teaching assistant, Lisa Tomassetti, said she has had the same experience with her own children.

"I have been a frequent visitor to Kohl," Tomassetti said. "We were able to partner with the museum for this project."

Jensen said the exhibits are "very hands-on" and it fits perfectly with what the children enjoy doing in class every day and how they learn.

Kohl Children's Museum has been doing in-school field trips for seven years, said Director of Communications Dave Judy. This is the first time they've visited St. Joseph's School.

But it likely won't be the last, Lynch said.

The school recently won the national Blue Ribbon School award for the 2008-2009 school year. Lynch and another faculty member will head to Washington, D.C. in early November to receive the award from the Department of Education on behalf of the school, Lynch said.

This is the first time the school has won the award since it was established in 1926, Lynch said. The award is based on several factors, including test scores and school programs.