http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepubli ... uzz19.html

From the Arizona Republic

Flamboyant East Valley developer Michael Pollack has completed a different kind of renovation project.

Pollack, who likes to tout himself as the "plastic surgeon of real estate" for his rehabs of rundown shopping centers, recently finished an extreme makeover of a decrepit three-car locomotive that he bought earlier this year in Pennsylvania.

Pollack and a longtime business associate, T.J. Marco, spent four months on detail work that included stripping several layers of paint from the 1870s-era locomotive, replacing rotted wood and polishing the original brass lanterns and bell. The train also had to be "de-wasped," as several hundred of the insects tagged along on its trip to the Valley.

The locomotive, dubbed the "Pollack Toyland Express," makes its debut Dec. 6 at the APS Parade of Lights in Phoenix. More than 40 children will ride the train, which will be decorated with 20,000 lights, toys and giant candy canes.

Pollack said he plans to show off the locomotive at other parades in the Valley, with a different decorating motif at each event.

rdavis@rypn.org