You have reached the home page of the Ridge Live Steamers, Inc. This website is provided for the benefit of our members, model railroad and live steam enthusiasts. Fellow live steamers and those interested in the live steam and model railroading hobbies are welcome.
RLS is a non-profit organization and will work with other non-profit organizations dedicated to further the awareness of our railroad heritage.
RLS is a 7½” gauge railroad that currently has 7,500 feet of mainline with an additional 7,300 feet in sidings and yards. We also have a 180 foot, 3 track loop of elevated Gauge 1 and G-Gauge. Stationary and steam traction engines are also welcome.
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Ridge Live Steamers
Live Steam
It is with great sadness that I need to let everyone know that Bill Hays has passed away. He was a great asset to Ridge Live Steamers for many years. He will be missed.
Our track crew spent the weekend working on Phase 2 of our Van Sickle junction rebuild project. ![]()
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This was the first project that we scheduled for night time work, in an effort to avoid the daytime heat here in Florida. With some good worklights, the project came together well and it was definitely much more comfortable!![]()
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This portion of the project entails realigning the A1, A2, and A3 tracks as well as the yard ladder on the east end of the yard. Much of this track was some of the first installed on this property in the 1990s. Next week we will complete the project with the ladder track replacement and the last two new switches to be installed.![]()
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If you're interested in assisting the crew, please reach out via email to info@ridgelivesteamers.org
Next weekend, our crew will start the second phase of the Van Sickle Junction rebuild and upgrade. In preparation, we removed the pedestrian crossing across all 6 tracks this weekend, and we staged the track panels on-site.![]()
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Phase 1 covered the 3 tracks on the southeast quadrant. Phase 2 is the northwest quadrant. While Phase I incorporated new and replacement trackage, Phase 2 is a removal, realignment and replacement of tracks A1, A2, A3, and A4 as well as the head of the ladder track. This phase also has 4 switches to be installed.![]()
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Our work sessions will be Friday and Saturday evenings the weekends of June 22nd and June 29th. If you're interested in assisting the crew, please reach out via email to info@ridgelivesteamers.org
Saturday, April 27th is another "Run Day" here at the railroad. If you're interested to learn more about us, it's a great day to visit! As we get towards summer, morning is the best time to be here.![]()
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While you're here, we've also discovered an AMAZING U-Pick peach option less than 5 minutes away at Wheeler Farms. They're open 8-5 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday and the picking is EASY! $20 for THREE bags of peaches (cash, venmo, zelle). This is their first year of U-Pick, so they're ramping up operations, but the fruit is delicious! ![]()
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So come out for some train fun AND grab yourself some delicious peaches! Tell David the railroad people sent you!![]()
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You can find their page here: www.facebook.com/share/WGKEagohLqLxQtF6/?mibextid=qi2Omg
While the "busy season" for the northern climates is just starting, Spring and Summer here in Florida is our quiet time. With fewer people at the track, it's when we do most of our maintenance projects.![]()
We're really happy with this planting and beautification project at Honeymoon Junction in Elston Yard. Over the years this area had been neglected, but with Andrea's efforts it's looking fantastic!