U.S. Sugar’s century-old steam locomotive, the Sugar Express, returned this year to roll across the Glades on its annual holiday mission.
Rebranded as the “Santa Express,” the 1920s engine made festive stops in Belle Glade, Clewiston, Moore Haven and Sebring, where thousands of toys — donated by U.S. Sugar and its employees — waited for families lined up along the tracks. Santa, Mrs. Claus and members of the U.S. Marine Corps helped hand out gifts at each stop, continuing a partnership with Toys for Tots that has become a staple of the company’s end-of-year outreach.
This year marked the fifth time U.S. Sugar teamed up with the organization to deliver presents to children in need across the region. Families who attended had the opportunity to meet Santa and take home a wrapped gift at no cost.
“We worked diligently as a team to coordinate this effort and deliver some cheer this holiday season,” said Brannan Thomas, Director of Community Relations at U.S. Sugar. “If there’s a family in need across Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Martin and Palm Beach counties, we’re here to help. That’s just who we are.”
The company says employees contributed significantly, donating toys in addition to those purchased directly by U.S. Sugar, ensuring thousands of kids received something special.
When it’s not serving as a rolling holiday workshop, the Santa Express doubles as a tourist draw — giving families a chance to ride Florida’s only operating steam locomotive on a seasonal excursion through sugar country.
The trip is getting wider notice, too: Thrillist recently named the experience among the nation’s most festive holiday train rides, noting its lights, decorations, carols, Christmas cookies and a mid-route visit from Santa.
U.S. Sugar purchased the train in 1952. It was initially launched in 1920 to travel on the Florida East Coast Railway and was used in 2020 — 100 years later — to bring a harvest to a U.S. Sugar mill. The company partnered with FMW Solutions LLC to restore the train in 2020.
