The Flying Santa circled over Sangster's house for several years until he had a new idea, make the Santa fly over the street to his neighbor's house.  In 1995 Sangster put the idea to his neighbor Carl Thornton who was skeptical for liability and insurance reasons.  Sangster brought it up again in 1996 and Thornton had a change of heart and said "lets do it".  Sangster and Thornton then built The Flying Santa-Across The Street.  The Flying Santa-Across The Street never quite got off the ground.

  During the next summer, Sangster thought to himself "if I can't fly across the street maybe I can take the train".  Sangster ran it by Thornton who once again fell for one of Sangster's hair brained ideas.  This would be an even bigger project costing a lot more money.  The appeal of a Christmas train was too great though.  The plans called for an elevated train track which would start at Sangster's house and cross 10 properties, winding around the cul-de-sac and ending at Thornton's house across the street.  When the plans were done Sangster and Thornton sold the idea to all the neighbors and obtained their financial support.  Sangster and Thornton then became S&T Railroad.
 

The men worked for months cementing poles and building sections of track out of electrical conduit and PVC pipe.  Elaborate trusses were constructed to span the driveways. Locomotive Engine No. 1 was built with PVC pipe and florescent light panels.  The engine was driven by a Power Wheels toy car motor/gear box which was powered by a 6 volt battery.  The locomotive worked very well, 100% better than the Flying Santa - Across the Street.

  The track and engine were decorated with lights and the moving display became a huge hit with everyone.  When the Press pictured the train in color on the front page, the train became popular with the neighboring cities as well.  The project cost at the end of 1997 was $ 3,285.

  For Christmas 1998, the train was improved upon.  The original train in 1997 had no way to turn around at the end of the track.  Once the train reached the end, it would go backwards all the way to the start.  So roundhouse style turn-a-rounds were built and added to the ends.  The Santa Sleigh Car was added behind the locomotive, giving birth to the "Santa Express".  The track was electrified with 12 volts and the locomotive gave up it's battery.  On an average night, 500 cars come through the cul-de-sac to see the train during the Christmas season.  In 1998 it was estimated that there were 15,000 visitors.  The total project cost climbed to over $4,000 at the end of 1998.

  In 2000, Locomotive No. 2 was retired to make way for Locomotive No. 3.  The Ferris Wheel Car was added lengthening the train to 3 cars.  The turnarounds were modified to accept the longer train and more power was added to the track for the train's lights.  A sound system was installed to play Christmas music for the many thousands of visitors.

  Sangster and Thornton are proud of their creation and have more improvements on the drawing board.  S&T Railroad looks forward to seeing you for Christmas 2002!