Finger Lakes Live Steamers OVGRS Visit

Doug, Bill, Paul and I went to NY to visit the Finger Lakes Live Steamers.  They are a family oriented club building and operating Large Scale model railroad equipment.  Located in Marengo approx half way between Rochester and Syracuse they have 12 acres of rural land.  Scales include 7-1/4" Gauge,  with 2 1/2" to the foot for standard gauge and 2 1/2" to the foot for three foot Narrow gauge..  In another area they run 4 3/4" gauge where one inch to the foot.  They have 2400 ft of track.  The last layout is a garden layout (Gauge One) 1 3/4" Gauge.

Web address is http://www.fingerlakeslivesteamers.org

They have a very nice station like club house and lots of garden tracks, turntables, loading ramps and storage areas.  A very cool site to visit.  Thanks very much Roger, John, Jim and the others who were very kind hosts.  The day we were there we ran Diesels.

Now for the pictures.

On arrival we headed for the big stuff and got a quick briefing on the workings of these gas run monsters.

Doug and Bill are eyeing hte units as our hosts Roger and John prep for the first run

The Diesel shed is a wonderful scaled down size and looks great against the well kept lawns and blue sky.

Roger is sitting behind Bill as Mr Scobie gets that first run of the day.

Well here I am behind John's beast as I head out onto the road.

I am going up the far side of the property as Bill appears out of the trees returning after going through the dog bone loop.

Later I catch Doug at the same location.

Bill went aground and is getting some help re railing the seat car gondola.  ps...We all did it at some time during the day.

Bill looking pleased as the rest look on.

Cannot get enough of this shed.

The turnouts are amazing.  The track work is just outstanding.

There are lots of live steam locomotives in this club though this was the only one there that day

Doug has just passed the station and is heading down grade.

View of the main yard

Doug is ready to head back out onto the main

Bill is rounding the curve and adjusting the throttle.

Hi Chris.  Do you want a go? not:)

Now there is a pair.  Give us the royal wave Bill.

Another meet.  Bill is really enjoying this outing for sure.  Hi Mom ..Look at me:)

Bill posing with the live steamer.

Take lots of shots of this Chris

OK Bill but ya can't take it home.

Now that is a ballast car.

Very nice looking indeed.

Gotta park em and move to the next gauge,

Paul has arrived and is chatting with John and Jim.

You can drive your truck right up to the garden tracks, unload your locomotive, turn it and then proceed down this long trestle to the layout.

The boys are getting Roger's RS3 ready for the next chance for us to ride/operate those trains.

Moving it onto the turntable Doug looks on in keen anticipation

Roger is doing the final checks.

OK Doug.  Here is the brief.

Onto the turntable.  He is using the armstrong method of lining it up for the trestle track

Doug is making sure the tracks are lined up.

Everthing looks good to go Roger.

Doug drives the locomotive down to the boarding yard.

This trestle is quite amazing the size and strength attests to the club members talents.

OK Bill.  This is the horn.

Bill and Doug are ready to take it out for a spin.

This train takes a bit of balance as a big lean at the wrong time can lead to a derailment.  We all had that experience though the weight of the driver car is quite light and it is east to re rail.

Crossing the bridge the track winds back around and goes underneath.

Boys are heading downgrade as I take the shot from the upper bridge level.

He Chris.  Ya want a ride:)

There is a nice wooded area the train goes through.  It can be quite a fantasia at night when the headlight shines on the trees and fireflies are flitting about.

The landscaping is wonderful and the ballast is very good at holding the track.  Has super drainage

The bridge scene is a great photo spot.

You have to be careful on the decent as too much spead can cause a derailment.

Bill and Doug navigated this portion well indeed.

This is a great scale and Roger indicated that he likes it because of the size and weight for moving the locomotive and maintenance.

Bill is looking warm.  Maybe time for a drink and lunch.

Nice watering facility on the left as the boys return the train to the trestle lead.

Now that was a good time.  ps.  I had lots of turns to ride as well.

Time to put it away and have some lunch.

After lunch we brought out all the garden railway stuff.

Looks like a Coni heading up this passenger train.  The track has power and you can also run using battery radio control.  So every one's trains can be accommodated.

 NYC PAs crossing this great water feature.  Just below this scene there is a pond with fish of course.

 Doug brought this A&B C&NW set for the afternoon ops session.

 The track plan accommodates continuous running and the yard makes it possible to set up an operations session for passenger trains.  Trains arrive from four different points.  Cars are removed and added on or exchanged with two switchers which operate from each end of the yard.

An over and under meet at the pond

 Another double track bridge at the pond.

 There she be.

 The action is heating up in the yard.

 Paul is awaiting his approach.  His pair of CN Geeps were impressive as both were equipped with sound.

 Doug and Bill were the yard operators.  They are comparing notes to decide who is going to do what.  The red bucket has peanuts in it.

 Bill is throwing the turnout as I back onto my train.

 More action at the yard.

 Roger was the yard master and he is pointing to a turnout that needs to be thrown for the next arrival.

 John's B&O train is now joining the action.

 Paul enters the yard and crosses over as Doug's RS3 pulls a coach for the next train.

 Jim is in the middle of the action.  Not everyday you can climb right up onto the roadbed.

 More peanuts.  I think they are addictive.

 Doug is separating the car from the locomotive as the B&O passes near by on the lower main.

 Geeps are idling while the it's consist is being prepared.

 Low angle shot really shows the details on this model.

 Always time for a funny story.  Paul is smiling as Jim and Bill are having a chat.

 Paul is throttling up his Geeps as the action continues.

 Nice side by sides.

 Double header.

 Emerging from the trees

 Doug's power looks great pulling this passenger train

 Rounding this curve, you can see that the upper level is a Y.  This also leads to a double track trestle and turntable fror easy turning or loading unloading

 NYC is on the move.  Jim has an amazing set of passenger cars for this train

 Looks like the steamer is marshaling cars in the yard.

 The buggy van is very nice.

 As they day move into the late afternoon the colour gets better for photos.

 A consist of heavyweights and cars from the B&O and NYC make quite the scene.  These came from the other trains and were added to this train at the yard.

 What a great double track bridge.

 The field stone sure adds an extra dimension to the scene.  The miniature trees must have been quite the challenge for the gardeners at this club.

 Action at the Y.  Some of the turnouts are thrown electrically.

 This train is ready to be put away.

 Looks like paul and Jm are still operating out on the line.

 Doug wants to see if his units can pull the long eleven car NYC train.

 Looking good going downgrade.

 Energing from the tunnel.  The entrance has great colour and what a great spot to photo the train

 Could not make it up the grade so Doug took it up in two sections.

 Paul and John having a good Jaw after everything is put away.

 Classic pose after a great day of running.  Thanks John.

 Doug is bringing up the last section.



What a great day.

You should make arrangements if you are ever up their way.  If you live close by you may want to consider joining the club and venture into the world of Large Scale Model Railroading.