History

HISTORY OF THE SANTA TRAIN

The Santa Train was born 32 years ago in Baltimore, MD.  For most of that time, I've been known as “The train man” at Christmas. The original train was purchased in 1978 from a mail order catalogue that specialized in obsolete products.  It was intended to be a gift for my two boys.  Like typical little boys they played with it for about an hour reverting to the box it came in for more lasting enjoyment.  When Christmas was over, we packed it away and almost forgot about it.

After Halloween the next year, I had an idea to salvage my purchase and make a train display.  Unfortunately, the train only came with enough tracks to form an 8 foot circle.  I didn't think that would be a very effective display so I called Tyco, the company that manufactured it to see if I could purchase more track.  

Bob was the gentleman I spoke to on the phone.  I told him what I wanted to do and he informed me that the train set had been discontinued for about 2 years, but he took my name, address and phone number and said he would check the warehouse and get back to me if there was any left.

Obviously I didn't hold out much hope, but two weeks before Thanksgiving, a truck pulled up to the house and unloaded four boxes of track.  On the packing slip was a note that said "No charge - Merry Christmas, from Bob and the gang".

That started the tradition and every year since; I tried to add something new.  Moving to Arizona 20 years ago helped me elaborate a little since I didn't have the snow to contend with.  I remember some of those Baltimore years when I literally had to shovel the track, put rubber belts on the wheels and weight down the engine to make it go without skidding on the icy track.

I knew the batteries wouldn't last long if left to run continuously so the first few years were spent trying to develop an adequate system.  I started using a simple timer that made the train go every 5 minutes.  While that made the batteries last all night, some people missed out on seeing the train in operation.

I then experimented with different means of operating the train automatically when cars pulled up.  Up until a few of years ago I used a photocell on the engine.

The original train fell apart in 1987.  It was then that I started designing and building my own engine and cars.  I also designed and built the track, accessories and displays.  Most of them have computer controlled electronic circuits.  There are sensors in the track that activate various features as the train passes over them (Yes, I'm an Engineer by education).  Incidentally, I usually start after Halloween and try to finish by Thanksgiving Day.

2004 was tough and the old train showed its years of wear so in 2005 I introduced an all new train and track system with automatic control circuits that keep the train operating reliably. The track is now externally powered (low voltage) eliminating the dependence on batteries.

My father passed away in 2005 and my Mom died in April 2007 just 5 days shy of her 89th birthday.  I miss him both terribly.  They were always a great inspiration to me and it is to them that I dedicated the new train and LED lights in hopes that my children will keep it going for years to come.

Even though my kids are grown up, I still love Christmas and get great pleasure seeing the excitement as the children watch the train go by.

It must have been fate that made me make that “long shot” call to Tyco 32 years ago.  My counter indicates that the train has made over 94,000 trips around the track and has traveled over 3000 miles (More than the distance from Phoenix to Baltimore).  Since 1994, I have given away over 64,000 Candy Canes.  Thanks to a candy cane loader I built in 2005 and improved this year that task is a lot easier.

I often think of that nice gentleman on the phone who took the time to go out of his way to do something special.  I'm sure all of my little train pals out there share with me in saying, “Thank you, Bob, and Merry Christmas wherever you are.”

To the greatest Mom and Dad ever, we miss you very much.  

                          ………….Yes the display is brighter but  so is Heaven now that you're there.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND CANDY CANE DONATIONS

YEAR BY YEAR PROGRESS

1978 -    Purchased train from Harbor Freight Catalog

1979 -    1st year of Christmas train display.  Nothing moved. About 200 large multicolored lights

1980 -     Added about 30 more feet of track.  The motorized car we bought David broke. I used the motor from it to

    power the train for the1st time.  

1981-     Added a timer to the motor that made it move for about 1 minute every 5 minutes. About 500 total lights.

   Added      the Reindeer hoisting Santa to the roof display.

1982-     Replaced the motor and added an electronic circuit to control the train when cars went by which employed a

               light beam that shot across the        street to a reflector mounted on a light post then back to the train.  Every

               time a car broke the beam, the train would run. Added the Crashed Sleigh Scene.  About 700 total lights.

1983-     Added about 20 feet of track.  About 900 total lights.  Started blowing fuses.    

1984-     Rewired the fuse panel and added Christmas outlets to the front yard.  

1985-     Added a 3' rotating Christmas tree.

1986-     The main engine fell apart.  Made a new one out of wood. About 1500 total lights

1987-     The coal car fell apart.  Made a new one out of wood. About 2000 total lights

1988-     Replace the train motor.  The wooden engine was too heavy for the previous motor. About 2500 total lights.

1989-     Rebuilt the engine. Added a bridge to the track.  About 3000 total lights.

1990-     No display this year.  Moved to placeStateArizona in November.

1991-     1st time for display in Arizona.  Added working crossing gate that activates when the train goes by. Added

                photo sensor circuit to the engine.       About 5000 total lights.

1992-     1st snowflakes on  the mountains.  Hosted party for building snowflakes. About 7000 total lights

1993-     Added a caboose car to the train that flashes it's red & green lights as it goes around the

         track.  Added 50 more feet of track  bringing the total to 180 ft. About 8000 total lights

1994-     Added a Candy Cane Car. Started giving candy canes to the visitors.  About 9000 total lights.

1995-     Added a tunnel to the train.  Neighborhood snowflakes grows to 40.  About 10,000 total lights.

1996-     Added a Flashing RR sign to the train that activates when the train goes by. About 10,000 total lights

1997-     Added an illuminated mountain Christmas tree.  We are featured in Foothills Magazine.

               Neighborhood snowflakes grows to 65.

1998-     Rebuilt the engine.  Added an animal car.  Neighborhood snowflakes grows to 80.  About 12,000 total

   lights.  Added a 6' rotating tree.

1999-     Added an animal car. Neighborhood snowflakes grows to 85.  About 12,000 total lights

2000-     Added Dancing Santa in a gingerbread house.  Added more mountain snowflakes. Channel 3 visits us.

2001-     Added Candy Cane Striping Factory - White Candy Canes in, Striped Candy Canes out.

2002-     Added Teeter Totter. About 14,000 total lights.

2002-     Added volcano with smoke. About 15,000 total lights.  I get a thank you card from SRP!

2003-     Added a Ferris Wheel and more mountain snowflakes

2004-     Added train sound and whistle

2005-     Completely new train, track and automation.  1st year for externally powered track.

2006-     LED lights on Ferris Wheel.  

2007-     Artificial snow making added.  Over 4000 LED lights replaces the front yard incandescent.  Even the Santa

   Train is "Going Green"

2008-     Over 15,000 lights replaced with LED's.  More lights added to Ferris wheel.

2009-     Added Carousel Swing, improved Candy Cane loader.  over 17,000 LED lights.

2010-     Web Cam.  2000 LED lights added.