Writer Joseph J. Airdo
When Frank Polimene made a hopeful phone call to a toy company more than four decades ago, he never imagined it would set in motion a holiday tradition that would touch multiple generations of Arizona families. What began as a simple request for additional track pieces has evolved into an engineering marvel that draws thousands of visitors each holiday season to his Ahwatukee home.
“It started about 46 years ago in Baltimore, Maryland,” Polimene recalls. “I bought my oldest boy a train from Harbor Freight for his birthday in August. Of course, the kids were interested for about an hour and a half, and then that faded away.”
That Christmas, Polimene decided to repurpose the train for a holiday display. When the original 8-foot circle of track proved insufficient, he made what he calls “a long shot” call to the manufacturer. The response would change everything.
“About a week before Thanksgiving, I get a tractor-trailer pulling up to my house, and they unloaded six huge boxes of track with a note,” Polimene explains. “All it said was ‘Merry Christmas from Bob and the gang.’”
That act of kindness inspired Polimene to pay it forward. Now, 32 years after relocating to Arizona, his Santa Train display has become a Valley institution, featuring more than 75,000 LED lights, automated displays and custom-built mechanical marvels that showcase the retired electrical engineer’s technical expertise and creative spirit.
The current display bears little resemblance to its humble beginnings. Polimene has engineered every aspect of the experience, from the train itself — built from everyday hardware store materials — to the 180 feet of galvanized steel track that winds through his front yard. Visitors can activate the train by flashing their headlights or using convenient foot pedals, triggering a symphony of synchronized movements and lights.
“Everything I’ve done is pretty much homemade,” explains Polimene, noting inclusions of a Ferris wheel, carousel, crossing gates and even an automated candy cane dispenser that keeps young visitors supplied with sweet treats throughout the evening.
The display extends beyond the yard onto an adjacent preserve, where 16 8-foot snowflakes illuminate the hillside. A sophisticated mountain tree programmed to music adds to the magical atmosphere, while interactive elements like a life-size singing Santa and pop-up musical performers keep visitors enchanted.
Beyond spreading holiday cheer, the Santa Train has become a force for good in the community. Donations collected at the display have generated more than $50,000 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital and the Miracle League of Arizona, which provides sports opportunities for children with disabilities.
“Every year we would collect whatever was left in the train cars and give it to charity,” Polimene explains. “Little by little, that money became more and more.”
For Polimene and his wife, Dianne, who contributes her artistic talents to the project, the reward comes in the moments of joy they witness. Like the afternoon they spent with a 90-year-old former train engineer who visited the display in his final days.
“We’re from the East Coast,” Polimene reflects, “and my wife and I used to love visiting New York City just to visit all the toy shops and soak in the overall Christmas spirit.”
Now, they’ve brought that same magical atmosphere to the desert, creating an Arizona holiday tradition that rivals any big-city display.
“I’ll probably do this until the day I die,” Polimene says. “It’s something you never get tired of. With everything else going on in this world, I just wish more people would take the time to do something like this that helps others.”
The Santa Train
Through Jan. 1 // 6–11 p.m. // 541 E. Mountain Sky Ave., Phoenix // Free (donations welcome) // santatrain.com
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