...to Golf Club of Oasis for having us join their monthly Burgers, Brats, and Beer/Beverage Event. Saw some familiar faces and met some new ones as well.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Just a Quick note to say thank you...
...to Coolidge Performing Arts and Coolidge High School for giving us the opportunity to give rides and help raise some money for the CHS dancers during the first football game of the season.
...to Golf Club of Oasis for having us join their monthly Burgers, Brats, and Beer/Beverage Event. Saw some familiar faces and met some new ones as well.
...to Golf Club of Oasis for having us join their monthly Burgers, Brats, and Beer/Beverage Event. Saw some familiar faces and met some new ones as well.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Shrinking the World One Party at Time
No, no. Don't worry, we are not going to talk about the shrinking practices of Jivaroan Tribes from northwestern region of the Amazon rainforest. We're also not going to talk about any scientific discoveries or even magic. Although, Engineer Nick does have the power to stop downpours right before it's time to give rides - he does not possess the power to change the physical size of our beautiful planet...at least not yet.
Instead, as the time goes on and we have more and more train events, we are starting to "run" into (again, not physically) some familiar faces. For instance, today we enjoyed giving rides at a 3rd birthday party where we knew six of the guests, and they had no idea we were going to be there. Also found out that the hosts of the party already had the chance to ride our train at a school function, so we have met them previously as well.
People who have previously met us are starting to accidentally find us through social media, google search or the signs on our vehicles.
The icing on the cake has to be a phone call we received on October 6th. Unfortunately, we didn't have the date they wanted available, after which the mom said "but he only likes your train and would have nothing to do with any other trackless trains. When he sees a colorful plastic train he says that they're for babies." Of course, I had to ask how old he is and mom's answer was "he's turning 5 at the end of the month". Apparently our train is for big boys and girls ;)
Hopefully, we can work out a date that would work for both of us. For now, we are feeling incredibly honored to have such impact on the kids' we meet. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for letting us know what makes us different and special.
If you're reading this post, chances are great that we'll "bump" into you soon, in the virtual or physical world, that's luckily not shrinking any time soon! Unfortunately, we can't say the same about the heads of the enemies of certain ancient tribes.
Instead, as the time goes on and we have more and more train events, we are starting to "run" into (again, not physically) some familiar faces. For instance, today we enjoyed giving rides at a 3rd birthday party where we knew six of the guests, and they had no idea we were going to be there. Also found out that the hosts of the party already had the chance to ride our train at a school function, so we have met them previously as well.
The icing on the cake has to be a phone call we received on October 6th. Unfortunately, we didn't have the date they wanted available, after which the mom said "but he only likes your train and would have nothing to do with any other trackless trains. When he sees a colorful plastic train he says that they're for babies." Of course, I had to ask how old he is and mom's answer was "he's turning 5 at the end of the month". Apparently our train is for big boys and girls ;)
Hopefully, we can work out a date that would work for both of us. For now, we are feeling incredibly honored to have such impact on the kids' we meet. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for letting us know what makes us different and special.
If you're reading this post, chances are great that we'll "bump" into you soon, in the virtual or physical world, that's luckily not shrinking any time soon! Unfortunately, we can't say the same about the heads of the enemies of certain ancient tribes.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
How much does it cost?
So, without further ado (or adieu if you prefer), we now offer birthday packages complete with prices :)
Please feel free to email, message or call for a quote for any other events. Thank you for all of your support and feedback. It is greatly appreciated. We won't be who we are without you!
Monday, September 2, 2013
Public Events
Did you know that we give free rides at many different public events? To find the events, please check out our Facebook Page events tab or Public Events page on our website. We are very excited to have a few events scheduled and confirmed, as well as a few more that are coming up. If you are hosting a public event or know of one that might want a train, please let us know. We offer a variety of packages for different events, including for fundraisers, school events, and vendor fairs.
Here is our first public event of the season. We hope you join us!
Here is our first public event of the season. We hope you join us!
Sunday, August 25, 2013
Are we having any fun?
When we started our new business adventure we expected for it to be fun. What's not fun about trackless trains? Our goal was to integrate our family time into our business. We like to do everything together, so we needed a business that would allow us to work as a family for many years. What we didn't plan for is getting integrated into our community and receiving love and support not only from our families and close friends, but from everyone we talked to about our business. We are able to do everything from making a child's birthday party into a memorable and fun experience to being a part of large events and helping local schools and charities.
The path has been amazing! Our friendly customers, our local chambers of commerce, our local non-profit organizations that serve our community and our local family owned businesses give more substance to our business experience. Are we still having fun? If you had met us or worked with us you already know the answer to this question. If we haven't met yet, we hope we do soon. For now, here are some photos from our most recent event, where once again we had the privilege of meeting new customers, a local family owned and operated business, and a non-profit organization.
The path has been amazing! Our friendly customers, our local chambers of commerce, our local non-profit organizations that serve our community and our local family owned businesses give more substance to our business experience. Are we still having fun? If you had met us or worked with us you already know the answer to this question. If we haven't met yet, we hope we do soon. For now, here are some photos from our most recent event, where once again we had the privilege of meeting new customers, a local family owned and operated business, and a non-profit organization.
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| Desert Express Train now gives splash pad train rides! |
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| Engineer Nick makes even the most shy riders wave and smile. |
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| Is he having any fun? |
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| You bet he is! |
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| His smile says it all! |
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| The non-profit Rockstar Rescue discovered that some dogs go crazy for balloons! |
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| Daddy gets to spend time with his little girls in between giving rides. The youngest, Zoe, is pictured here |
Sunday, July 28, 2013
Eduprize Spring Spectacular 2013
To find out how we can help YOUR school at fundraising events, please call us today 602-888-3719.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
How it All Got Started
"How did you start this business?" is our most frequently asked question. The answer almost always starts with a grin...we love sharing our story! How many businesses start with: "We were looking for a tractor on Craigslist..."
Well, at least one does...OURS!
We were looking for a tractor for our 2.6 acre yard when Nick stumbled across the trackless train ad. It just so happens the engine was built on a "lawn tractor" so of course it popped up in the search. He immediately motioned to Katerina to come check it out. How often do you find a trackless train for sale? In unison our reaction was: "Oh my gosh, this is so cool!"
After a quick email exchange, we had arrangments to go take a look at it the next day. It was only a 25 minute drive away.
When we got there we saw the train looked extremely "cute". Even better than the ad pictures! The seller seemed very open and honest which we appreciate, and he even agreed to take us on a quick ride. Our firstborn, Kaitlyn asked if we could buy it right now! Xenia chimed in after her, and without a doubt, all the rest of the family was thinking the same thing, including the one-year-old Zoe who didn't stop smiling the entire time during the ride.
We promised the seller to get back to him after discussing it. We didn't even make it back to the car before we both looked at each other knowing exactly what the other one was thinking. After talking each other's ears off and listening to the kids' excitement on the drive home, we stopped to get dinner and chatted about it with more intensity. By the end of the dinner we had a company name picked out, and already had a call back to the seller with a full offer!
Knowing what a trackless train costs typically, and given the reason for the seller to actually sell the train(unexpected medical expenses), we knew this was the right thing for us and for them, so we didn't even haggle on the price.
Two days later, we were able to go and pick up our new purchase. The timing worked out that was the same night we were going to donate our truck and trailer to a homeschooling group of our nephew and niece, and take them Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. It is funny how things work out...we had the train that night instead! Before even taking the train home, we took it to Nick's sister's neighborhood. That night we had all the confirmation that this train was what we've been searching for. Everyone enjoyed the rides, people came out of their homes to see us, cars stopped and rolled down windows, and a few of them honked and waived...even though our caroling was nowhere near in sync! Okay, okay, we weren't even singing the same song most of the time.
Two days after Christmas, on our way to the Polar Express in Williams AZ, we stopped by the Secretary of State's office and registered a new DBA for Myers Holdings LLC.
After the fortuitous, incidental and wonderful time with the Polar Express train, we came back home and since have had a blast making modifications to the train, getting the business up and running, and most of all, watching hundreds of kids enjoy the rides! We are just getting started and this business is already busier than we ever imagined. People love the personality, enthusiasm, and fun that Nick and Katerina bring as "Engineer Nick" and "Conductor Katerina". Stay tuned as the saga of Desert Express Train continues to unfold!
Well, at least one does...OURS!
We were looking for a tractor for our 2.6 acre yard when Nick stumbled across the trackless train ad. It just so happens the engine was built on a "lawn tractor" so of course it popped up in the search. He immediately motioned to Katerina to come check it out. How often do you find a trackless train for sale? In unison our reaction was: "Oh my gosh, this is so cool!"
After a quick email exchange, we had arrangments to go take a look at it the next day. It was only a 25 minute drive away.
When we got there we saw the train looked extremely "cute". Even better than the ad pictures! The seller seemed very open and honest which we appreciate, and he even agreed to take us on a quick ride. Our firstborn, Kaitlyn asked if we could buy it right now! Xenia chimed in after her, and without a doubt, all the rest of the family was thinking the same thing, including the one-year-old Zoe who didn't stop smiling the entire time during the ride.
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| The original look |
We promised the seller to get back to him after discussing it. We didn't even make it back to the car before we both looked at each other knowing exactly what the other one was thinking. After talking each other's ears off and listening to the kids' excitement on the drive home, we stopped to get dinner and chatted about it with more intensity. By the end of the dinner we had a company name picked out, and already had a call back to the seller with a full offer!
Knowing what a trackless train costs typically, and given the reason for the seller to actually sell the train(unexpected medical expenses), we knew this was the right thing for us and for them, so we didn't even haggle on the price.
Two days later, we were able to go and pick up our new purchase. The timing worked out that was the same night we were going to donate our truck and trailer to a homeschooling group of our nephew and niece, and take them Christmas caroling around the neighborhood. It is funny how things work out...we had the train that night instead! Before even taking the train home, we took it to Nick's sister's neighborhood. That night we had all the confirmation that this train was what we've been searching for. Everyone enjoyed the rides, people came out of their homes to see us, cars stopped and rolled down windows, and a few of them honked and waived...even though our caroling was nowhere near in sync! Okay, okay, we weren't even singing the same song most of the time.
Two days after Christmas, on our way to the Polar Express in Williams AZ, we stopped by the Secretary of State's office and registered a new DBA for Myers Holdings LLC.
After the fortuitous, incidental and wonderful time with the Polar Express train, we came back home and since have had a blast making modifications to the train, getting the business up and running, and most of all, watching hundreds of kids enjoy the rides! We are just getting started and this business is already busier than we ever imagined. People love the personality, enthusiasm, and fun that Nick and Katerina bring as "Engineer Nick" and "Conductor Katerina". Stay tuned as the saga of Desert Express Train continues to unfold!
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| The updated look |
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