
Established 1972
2012 FLS DUES ARE NOW DUE, click on next line for "How to Join"
For phone contact concerning the information on this web page please call George Johnson at 941-966-1228 or e-mail at floridalivesteamers@yahoo.com.
(COLORFUL) NEWSLETTER ANNOUNCEMENT
Trainline
is now available by email to paid members. Send a request via EMAIL ONLY to
FLORIDALIVESTEAMERS@YAHOO.COM. An email request lets us validate your address
and is put in the distribution list via cut/paste. Phone calls, etc. won't
work. As a bonus, you get color pictures (and graphics), no shredding by the
USPS, faster delivery and we save postage. With 6 issues per year and over
300 members, we could save several hundred dollars, almost 20% of the dues,
per year.
2012
Winter Meets
West Toccoi and Bostwick - Feb 3 to 5
Big Boots and Western – Feb 6 to 12
Central Pasco and Gulf – Feb 10 to 15
Largo Central – Feb 16 to 18
Tradewinds and Atlantic – Feb 17 and 18
Manatee Central – Feb 19 to 22
Ridge Live Steamers Feb 22 to 26
Annual Banquet – Feb 25 in Dundee
West Toccoi and Bostwick (open house) – Feb 26 to 28
Sebring System – March 9 and 10
PASCO CENTRAL PUBLIC RUN DAY Jan. 14 10a-5p
TRADEWINDS & ATLANTIC PUBLIC RUN DAYS Jan. 21-22 10a-4p
BIG BOOTS & WESTERN RR MEET Jan. 21
LARGO CENTRAL TOUCH A TRUCK & FLORIDA CLOWN DAY Jan. 28 11a-4p
LARGO CENTRAL LIVE STEAMERS PUBLIC RUN DAYS Feb. 4-5 10a-4p
PASCO CENTRAL PUBLIC RUN DAY Feb. 10 10a-5p
TRADEWINDS & ATLANTIC PUBLIC RUN DAYS Feb. 18-19 10a-4p
RIDGE LIVE STEAMERS SPRING MEET March 23-25
(ADDITIONAL
INFO ON THESE EVENTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE INDIVIDUAL TRACK WEBSITES BELOW)
| Big Boots & Western R. R. (UPDATE Nov. 7) Candler, Fl. ** 7 1/2 gauge track** The railroad currently features over 2 1/2 miles of track, with 65 ft. or larger radii on the mainline, with a maximum grade of 2% and three separate yards and an Industrial Park. The Industrial Park has 35 ft radii and the car barn/engine house track is 55 ft radii. The track layout is set up to approximate the SAL and the ACL as they head South from Ocala, FL towards Tampa, Leesburg and eventually future expansions will head it North to Sanford. There are three ways to unload. There is a high and a low unloading ramp and a drive through transfer table. All three provide access to the steaming bays or directly to the main yard, which is lighted and has water for steamers. The main yard features 11 double-ended tracks for storage of up to 200 cars. The other two MORE >>> |
Work sessions are now Thursday mornings, call prior to coming to make sure that we will be there. |
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| NE Fla Live Steamers & RRs (West Tocoi & Bostwick R. R.) (UPDATE Nov. 7) Bostwick, Fl. ** This track boasts two separate railroads comprising a 7 1/2 gauge (3600 ft) and 2 ft gauge with four different areas where they cross. 2 ft gauge has over 6200 ft of mainline (6600 ft planned). Outer loop is complete. 350 ft remains to close inner loop. Two mainline wyes for turning the train. Self contained camping is available.** Road crossings, drive-thru unloading facilities, steaming bays have all been upgraded this year prior to the FLS Winter Meet. Six yard tracks (250 ft) near the station now allow the engineers to take a break without blocking the mainline as well as much in the way of track extensions. Also, an ever-growing automated signaling system. The Miller Junction passenger station is finished. |
By Appointment Only Scheduled work sessions every Thursday & Saturday. THIRD
Saturday of the |
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| Tradewinds & Atlantic R. R. (UPDATE
Nov. 7) Coconut Creek, Fl. ** 7 1/2 gauge** This
track is located in |
Scheduled runs are the 3rd weekend of each month
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| Manatee Central Rail Road (UPDATE Dec. 16) Parrish, Fl. (2012 schedule of Manatee's Meets is now out) **7 1/2 gauge, 4 3/4 gauge, Gage 1, a pond for steam boats, a shady area for hit and miss, and bring and brag.** This track covers two five-acre private sites that comprise a well laid out track plan with four separate unloading areas, two separate steaming bays and two hydraulic lifts. One mile of mainline and one mile of sidings and yards. Self contained camping is available on limited basis at the meets. Call to check availability of open sites. NEW, minimum radius on track is now 52 ft. |
Work sessions every Sunday |
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Ridge Live Steamers (UPDATE Dec. 16) Dundee, Fl. ** 7 1/2 gauge ** 4200+ feet of main line and 6000+ feet of sidings and yards (more since) built in an old orange grove. It boasts many bridges, grades up to 1 1/2 % and a by-pass track with 3.3% to challenge the ability of engineers and equipment, bi-directional signaled track and a tunnel. There are restrooms, shower facilities, picnic pavilion, passenger loading station and a drive through hydraulic unloading facility. About 36 campsites with water and electric hookups. Camping by prior reservation. |
Work sessions 2nd weekend Runs on 4th weekend |
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| Largo Central R. R. (UPDATE
Nov. 7) Largo, Fl. ** 7 1/2 gauge ** This track
is located in a |
Runs are on the first full weekend of each month. |
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| Central
Pasco and Gulf R. R. (UPDATE
Dec. 16) Brooksville, Fl. ** 7 1/2 gauge ** This
track is located in |
Work sessions each Saturday, public runs are on second and fourth Saturdays. |
Veterans Memorial R. R. (UPDATE
Nov. 7) Bristol, Fl. ** Two foot gauge ** Scenic
1 1/2 mile track located in |
Public runs are on second Saturday of each month. |
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currently have almost 30 layouts in 1 1/2 scale (or larger) in |
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First of 2011 FLS WINTER MEETS PHOTOS by Steve and Bill of NEFLSRI New Feb. 9 '11
"On the Road Again", THREE FALL MEETS' PHOTOS by Bill Matson New Dec. 4 '10
Hundreds of FLS 2010 WINTER MEETS PHOTOS by Susan and Bill Matson New March 6 '10
HOT NEWS - Photos and text of Jim "Outlaw" White's new equipment NEW Feb. 14 '10
MORE Photos of NEFLSRI FLS Winter Meet by Frank Woodard MORE Feb. 15 '10
Photos of Fall NEFLSRI Invitational Steam Up by various members NEW Nov. 13 '09
Video of Beams at Fall MID-SOUTH by Susan Matson (wmv file, may take some time to download) NEW Oct. 11 '09
Bill Matson Photos of 2009 Train Mountain Triennial Meet and surrounding areas NEW August 2 '09
165 Photos of Spring NEFLSRI Invitational Steam Up submitted by Frank Woodard NEW May 18 '09
CP&G 2009 WINTER MEET PHOTOS by Geran Miller NEW April 2 '09
FLS 2009 WINTER MEETS PHOTOS by Susan and Bill Matson NEW Mar. 4 '09
TARR FIRST 2009 FUN RUN DAY SUBMISSION by Kim Anderson NEW Feb. 9 '09
MID-SOUTH 2008 SPRING MEET PHOTOS by Bill and Susan MATSON NEW May 6 '08 (note Bill's FLS shirt)
FLS 2008 WINTER MEETS PHOTOS by Bill MATSON NEW Mar 3 '08
BB&W 2008 WINTER MEET PHOTOS and Links by Lou Lockwood NEW Mar 4 '08
STILL NEWER SUBMISSION by Bill Oberpriller (many more movies have been added)
SELECTIONS from above, edited & automated by George Johnson (gif file, may take some time to download)
Narrow Gauge Engine by Bill Oberpriller NEW Feb 28 '08 (seen at Ridge)
Speeder (the Putt-putt) by Bill Oberpriller NEW Feb 28 '08 (seen at Ridge, natural color)
SUBMISSION by George Johnson (in video form) (wmv file, may take some time to download)
Rail Bender and Other Picture Pages
Send upcoming date schedules, track information, and any changes to floridalivesteamers@yahoo.com
Server hosting services for FLS website provided by www.matson.us (over 20 links in this)
Since 30 Sept. '07
This page updated on Jan. 11, 2011 rl