Real Operators. Real Returns.

Kiddos ChuChu

Cesar Aguilar · Foster City, CA

Cesar Aguilar runs Kiddos ChuChu, a mobile children's entertainment business serving private parties, schools, daycare centers, and community events across the San Francisco Bay Area. He operates both a Wattman Mini Express and a Maxi Express and has been running them for three years.

Before switching to Wattman, Cesar operated a different brand. The reason for switching came down to reliability, build quality, and customer service. He recovered his full investment within 14 months, while continuing to grow the business.

"Wattman offered a more professional setup and better long-term value that you won't be able to find in any other trackless train manufacturer."

— Cesar Aguilar, Kiddos ChuChu

What surprised Cesar most was the demand. The train consistently becomes the highlight of events and has proven to be a strong business generator through word-of-mouth referrals.

Li'l Grande Trains

Joe Rios · Irving, Texas

Joe Rios started Li'l Grande Trains in a shopping mall in Irving, Texas. What began as a single mall concession quickly evolved into one of the most diverse trackless train operations in the United States, covering private parties, school events, city festivals, and indoor events including operating on stage during a high school musical. The maneuverability of the Wattman train is what makes that range of venues possible.

Joe now runs three Wattman trains: two Mini Express units from 2010 and 2014, and a Maxi Express added in 2022. All three units, including the oldest from 2010, look and perform like new. At high-volume events the train runs on 10-minute ride cycles, which adds up to 120 passengers per hour across a full 10-hour operating day. Because the train fits in a standard bumper pull trailer, Joe can unload and be operational at a venue in 20 to 30 minutes, making it practical to serve multiple events in a single day.

Before launching the business, Joe researched every trackless train available on the U.S. market. His conclusion was direct: the Wattman was the only train with proper safety certification for U.S. commercial operations, conforming to both ASTM F2291 and ASTM F1193. That was the deciding factor, and it remains the reason Li'l Grande Trains operates Wattman exclusively.

"If you want to own a commercial piece of equipment and have decided on the trackless train business. The Wattman Train is it."

— Joe Rios, Li'l Grande Trains

Sullivan Hardware & Garden

Pat Sullivan · Indianapolis, IN

Pat Sullivan grew up riding a tiny train at the L.S. Ayres department store in downtown Indianapolis in the 1960s. Decades later, as owner of Sullivan Hardware & Garden, he built that same memory into a full-scale seasonal attraction that has since become one of central Indiana's most anticipated family events.

The Sullivan Express launched in 2015 with a $200,000 investment and a single Wattman Maxi Express train. Today Sullivan operates five Maxi Express trains running two distinct seasonal experiences: the Sullivan Santa Express at the North Pole (November through December, 71st and Keystone, Indianapolis) and the Sullivan Express to PumpkinTown (September through October, Allisonville, Fishers). Both experiences run as narrated 15 to 20 minute round trips with themed environments, animatronic characters, and a final destination stop.

The commercial outcome exceeded Pat's initial expectations on every metric. The North Pole experience alone generates $350,000 in annual ride revenue. In the first year, 89 tickets sold in the first hour. By the fifth year, 1,700 tickets sold in the first 14 minutes after opening, with 2,500 gone within the first hour. The experience sells out every season. Pat has invested more than $500,000 in total since 2015, and the operation now employs dedicated seasonal maintenance staff starting in August each year.

"The story is not making money on the train. The story is getting people into your store to buy things. Any place where we added an hour to the train schedule, our sales in the store increased on average about 20%."

— Pat Sullivan, Sullivan Hardware & Garden

The indirect revenue effect is what makes this story unusual. The ride itself is profitable, but its bigger function is foot traffic. Every hour added to the train schedule correlates directly with a 20% increase in store sales during that window. Sullivan doesn't treat the train as a standalone business -- he treats it as the reason 35,000 people walk into his store every holiday season.

Pearl Express Trains

Bob Oglesby · ICON Park, Orlando, FL

Bob Oglesby founded Pearl Express Trains in Orlando to bring a vintage-style train experience to ICON Park, a dining and entertainment complex that draws families looking for a half-day experience without a full theme park price tag. He operates two Wattman Mini Express trains at the venue, each featuring an engine, two passenger cars, and a caboose.

Oglesby chose Wattman specifically for their safety record, reliability, and more than 30 years of engineering experience. The low entry height was a key factor: the trains are designed so children can board naturally without climbing, making them ideal for the youngest riders.

"Wattman Trains has been in business for over 30 years. They have all the engineering down, with a lot of built-in safety features. When kids see it, they want to ride it."

— Bob Oglesby, Pearl Express Trains

The Pearl Express has become one of ICON Park's most recognizable attractions. Guests stop to take photos in front of the trains even when they are not riding, and children who spot the train immediately want to board it.