Hi… I'm Tommy... I love trains and Ysleta.   I'm interested in all types of trains. Most days you can find me sitting in a chair in the front yard watching the trains go by. Now don't get the wrong idea, I do other things but most of them are connected to trains in one way or another.

My wife Ysleta and I moved to Flatonia from Rockport in 2000. The main reason for the move was to be near the trains. Ysleta and I have been collecting and building trains for many years. We first became interested in the early seventies and it is a hobby that continues to grow. All of our trains are made from kits. I do the construction and Ysleta does all the painting and decal work.

My major project since moving to Flatonia has been the S&S Railroad. This is a project that is dear to my heart and it now takes up all of the space in my garage. S&S Railroad is an HO scale model train layout. At present, consists of three tracks and numerous trains running through a 1940's countryside with a town, commercial area and a military base, with a river and numerous tracks. With the trains all running, and the sound on, it's quite an experience and I really enjoy showing it!

I'm also working on a Garden Train. It will be considerably larger than the setup that is now in operation. Once completed it will run throughout my backyard. The parts can be quite expensive so it will be a while before that venture is completed.

I've got other projects I'm working on… I've been cleaning up the Railroad tower and it is now ready for tours. Tours can be arranged either through me or the Chamber of Commerce. I'm also looking for people that may be interested in forming a model train club in the area. Call me for more information.

Anyone who would like to visit the S&S Railroad is invited to call me at 979-743-5366 or email me at tommy@sidetracktommy.com for an appointment. It's something that I think both young and old will enjoy watching. Perhaps it is the old time locomotives running... sounding their whistles. It brings back memories of a time gone by when steam rules the rails and we all moved at a slower pace.