Santa on track: U.S. Sugar locomotive rolls holiday cheer across the Glades

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 t