Today we’d like to introduce you to Robert Oldham.
Hi Robert, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
After a 37-year career in the oil industry, I retired and began looking for something that would keep me active and engaged. That next chapter started with a local party rental company, where I spent several years helping with events and day-to-day operations.
During that time, the company purchased a trackless train—and from the moment I saw it, I knew I had found my “retirement job.” I began operating the train regularly and quickly came to appreciate not just the work itself, but the atmosphere that came with it. Most events centered around celebrations—birthdays, festivals, and community gatherings—where people were there to have a good time. Being part of that environment made the job something I genuinely looked forward to.
Over the years, I took on the responsibility for operating and maintaining the train, gaining hands-on experience in every aspect of it. Then, after several years, the owner approached me with an unexpected offer—to sell the train to me personally. It wasn’t driven by business necessity, but by trust. When I asked him why he would want to sell what was arguably his most successful attraction, he told me, “You do such a good job, and you truly enjoy it.” He wanted me to have it. As part of that agreement, we also made a handshake understanding that if I ever decided to sell, I would offer it back to him.
In early 2025, I accepted that offer and officially became the owner of what is now Frisco Party Trains. Since then, I’ve continued to operate and maintain the train myself, focusing on providing a fun, reliable experience for every event.
What started as a retirement job has turned into something much more—an opportunity to stay active, connect with people, and play a small part in some of life’s happiest moments right here in the community.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, it’s been a pretty smooth road. The biggest challenges haven’t been with the train itself or the events, but with the behind-the-scenes responsibilities that come with running a small business.
Things like handling sales tax, keeping up with registrations, inspections, and maintaining the right insurance coverage have probably been the most demanding parts. Those details may not be the most exciting, but they’re essential to doing things the right way and keeping everything running properly.
Once those systems were in place, everything else fell into a rhythm. The events themselves—the part where I get to interact with people and be part of celebrations—have always been the easy and enjoyable side of the business. In many ways, that’s what makes all the effort behind the scenes worthwhile.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I operate Frisco Party Trains, a trackless train rental service for private parties, community events, school functions, festivals, and seasonal celebrations throughout the area. My focus is on providing a safe, reliable, and fun experience that adds something memorable to any event.
What I specialize in is the operation and full hands-on management of the train itself—from driving and maintenance to setup and coordination at events. Because I handle the business personally, I’m able to ensure consistency in both safety and guest experience. Every event gets my full attention, and I take pride in showing up prepared and dependable.
Over time, I’ve become known for reliability and for creating a positive experience for families and children. A lot of my clients appreciate that they’re dealing directly with the owner-operator, not a rotating staff. That allows for a more personal level of service and accountability.
What I’m most proud of is being part of so many celebrations where people are genuinely happy and relaxed. Whether it’s a birthday party, a city festival, or a neighborhood event, I enjoy seeing families making memories together. It’s simple work in many ways, but it has a real impact.
What sets me apart is that I don’t just “run” the train—I maintain it, operate it, and stand behind every event personally. That level of involvement means I care deeply about how things go, because my name is on every ride.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
What I like best about the city is the people and the sense of community. There’s a real appreciation here for family events, local gatherings, and anything that brings people together. I see it firsthand at almost every event I do—families are engaged, kids are excited, and people genuinely take time to enjoy themselves. That makes it a great place to run a business like mine.
I also appreciate how active and growing the area is. There are always new events, festivals, and community activities happening, and that creates a lot of opportunities to be involved and contribute in a meaningful way.
As for what I like least, it’s more about the challenges that come with growth—traffic and construction can make logistics a little tougher at times, especially when moving equipment from one event to another. But that’s really just part of being in a fast-growing city, and overall it’s a positive sign of how much the area is thriving.
At the end of the day, the positives far outweigh any inconveniences. It’s a great place to live, work, and be part of the community.
Pricing:
- $599 minimum for a 2-hour booking
- $175 for each additional hour
- Travel surcharge may apply for locations more than 25 miles outside the service area (typically $0.80 per mile beyond that radius)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Friscopartytrains.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18jJDst3x7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Other: phone 469.850.9484
