Electronic voting for the 2022 board positions is now open through Friday, January 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. Based on the results of the nomination process during the Saturday, December 4, 2021, meeting the following individuals will automatically be placed on the 2022 board.

President: Peter Craymer

Vice President: Scott Moore

Treasurer (2020-2022): Norm Wizner

Secretary: Robby Mossman

The following individuals have been nominated to fill one of three board positions for the 2022 term.

As we take a moment to look back on all that we accomplished in 2021 none of it would have happened without the dedication of each of our members. The countless volunteer hours put in by everyone including “Bob”, “Bob2”, and a special appears by “Bob Jr” made this past year unbelievable. This year like 2020 saw nearly 40 workdays which is equivalent to about 5 years of work if you look at how many workdays on average, we’ve normally done before 2020. While we may not be able to maintain this pace into 2022, we certainly made these interesting times work for our group and the railroad. Take a moment and check out some of the things we did each month in 2021.

On Saturday, December 4, 2021, North Georgia Live Steamers nominated individuals for the 2022 board with voting to take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022, during the regularly scheduled meeting. The nominees are:

We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization and operate with volunteers and donations from individuals like you. Why do we need your help? We have several of ongoing projects that, as you might expect, need funding to complete. This funding comes from a variety of sources including individual donors such as yourself. During each year we participate in several of fund-raising events including our primary being giving rides to the public. However, the past couple of years have been challenging for everyone and that is why we are asking for your help.

North Georgia Live Steamers want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. As a not-for-profit educational organization, we rely on our members and volunteers like you. This year we are extra thankful for hours of time our members and volunteers have provided.

A big thank you to everyone who came out and visited with us on our last ride day of the 2021 season. The day was full of so many special visitors including a large group from the Georgia Garden Railroad Society. A special thanks to each of the North Georgia Live Steamers members who volunteered and ran trains throughout the day. We look forward to seeing everyone next year as the railroad comes alive again in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit our website and social media pages for the latest on what’s going on during the offseason.

The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

The day has finally come to take delivery and place containers that will become part of our shop and a member container. We will be placing three 40’ containers side by side and then place a 40’ high cube next to the member container area on the railroad. Bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor we are probably going to need all we can get as thing come together.

On Monday, November 8th a small crew went to the site to complete the groundwork for the new club workshop containers and next member container. The crew, which consisted of Norm, Ben, “Bob”, Robby, Wes, and our favorite delivery guy Bill C., from Sheppard Trucking, who brought us about 18-tons of crusher run that was placed in between the forms where the shop containers are going. Rick also stopped by to jump into the story telling while Ben and “Bob” did a lot of the work. Next step is to take delivery and place the containers which is scheduled for Friday, November 19th. If you are looking for something to do on that Friday, come out and join in on the fun.

The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Our first fall meet is in the books. A big thanks to everyone who attended and while we don’t have a lot of pictures from the weekend here is quick video of just some of the action on Saturday. For those that are planners our 2022 Fall Meet dates have already been set so mark your calendar for Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23rd. Click here for more details.

We are just days away from our first ever fall meet. We will have a workday on Saturday, October 16th to cut grass, perform track maintenance, and more. Make sure you bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor.

What an incredible day at the Conyers & Hightower Trail railroad with so many visitors after a nearly two year absence of running trains for everyone to enjoy. Over the past two years club members and volunteers worked on reconfiguring the railroad to provide such an incredible experience yesterday. The members of North Georgia Live Steamers and the many volunteers who helped make day possible we want to say thank you.

Just four more days until the railroad comes alive with steam engines, diesel locomotives, and lots of smiling faces. Over the past two years the volunteers have worked almost around the clock to make improvements and adjustments to the railroad. In fact, since May 2020 the North Georgia Live Steamers volunteers have worked 56 out of the last 70 weekend

It was grass cutting day and final clean up around the railroad as we prepare to re-open the railroad for train rides after almost two years. The crew consisted of Gene, Robby, Wes, Norm, Dave L., and John T. The crew also repaired, leveled, and ballasted around the railroad. John and Robby also went around moving track panels out of the right of way area and picked up other construction items from all the work that has been done over the past two years.

It is the one day a year that so of many our steam engines come together for one important purpose. The annual physical I mean boiler test. The steam engines go through a hydro test where the boiler is filled all the way and then we pump more in to make sure the tubes inside the boiler are functioning properly. While we pump more water in, we also do visual inspections for any water coming out of the boiler in areas that aren’t normal. After its all said and done the steam engines are fired up and operated mainly for fun.

It has been two years since the railroad has come alive for train rides and during this time the members of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work around the railroad which includes adding nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad. You, your friends, and family are invited to come rides trains as the railroad comes alive again on Saturday, October 2nd from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.

Another busy workday around the railroad as we get another weekend closer to re-opening the railroad after nearly two years. Today’s work consisted of installing the fencing at the station, installing a drainpipe in the drive way, installing new insulators for signal system, gauge 1 guys worked on the track, and preparing the replacement truck for the sulky to round out just a few things done today.

What an incredible day. After 42 workdays over 14 months of work the passenger line is now complete. Today’s crew consisted of Wes, Gene, “Bob2”, Scott, Norm, David E., and Robby installed the last 55’ of track.

We had a rare workday during the week today as a small crew went out and finished ballasting, leveling, fixing drainage, and setting forms so the final 6 panels will go in easy during our next workday. The crew consisted of Ben, “Bob”, Peter, Dave E., Norm, Wes, and Robby. The crew focused on a few different areas throughout the day starting with finishing ballasting from the end of the passenger station area and worked towards the pedestrian crossing.

Well in typical fashion our “Summer Nights” club fun run was more like a “Summer Daytime” club fun day. The day saw many familiar faces, trains, and a new Consolidation making its debut around the railroad. Here is a video of Gene and Joan taking the locomotive out on the railroad giving it a good workout. A few special engineers also got the opportunity to be an engineer and took it for a few laps around the railroad.

This past Saturday, August 21st was another product workday. The crew which consisted of Rick, Ben, “Bob”, Gene, Scott, Norm, Tyler, and Robby where able to set forms for the remaining 170’ of track, crusher run for about 130’ feet and about 90’ of track. With the progress the crew made we are so very close to completing the passenger line project just in time for our re-opening plans for our first public run day in two years.

We are in the final few workdays to complete the passenger line project. At this point we have installed more than 700’ of track and all we lack to finish is 170’. We invite you to bring friends, family, co-workers, neighbors, and anyone you can find looking for something to do this Saturday, August 21st at 8:30 a.m. to help with installing. At this point the grading has been done which leaves putting forms then we are off to installing track. Make sure you bring water, lunch, cordless drills, knee pads, and a good sense of humor.

On Saturday, August 14th we began the last 170’ of preparation work needed to complete the passenger line project. Gene, “Bob2”, Norm, and Robby came out to do grading work ahead of our next official workday which is on Saturday, August 21st. Dave E. was out, and he continued to work on making sure the new drain that was installed has a place to drain into the “dry pond” area under the bridges on the west end of the railroad. Dave and Dale also spent a little time looking at Dave’s locomotive in preparation of our annual club fun night event on August 28th.

Back in July 2020 construction began on the passenger line with the installation of a switch leaving the yard on the west end of the railroad. Soon after a switch in the inner east loop and our first diamond was also installed. Fast forward to July 2021 with more than 30 weekends worked we have installed more than 1,400’ of rail, 1,590 railroad ties (give or take), 5,320 screws (give or take), more than 70 track panels, 6 switches, 60’ concrete grade crossing, 30’ pedestrian crossing, a diamond, and countless loads of gravel.

An incredible milestone happened today with the help of Scott, John T., Tyler, Norm, Gene, Wes, and “Bob2”. The crew spent the day attaching the last 75-feet of the passenger line bypass to the railroad. This now allows trains to travel from the east loop across the new gate crossing towards the west end of the railroad. With the bypass track attached we now only have 170-feet of track remaining to complete the passenger line project.

Our “Bring A Friend” workday on Saturday, July 24th was very productive. The crew which consisted of Ben, “Bob”, Gene, Norm, Calvin, Wes, Scott, David E, and special guests Eric and Bradley. The crew worked on connecting the east end to the gate crossing extending the passenger line nearly 200-feet plus added an additional 40-feet on the west side of the new man crossing allowing the crew to set the switch for the station bypass track. This leaves only 75-feet of track to finish the passenger line station bypass track and an additional 125-feet to complete the passenger line.

The big push continues to complete the last 225-feet of the passenger line project with our next scheduled workday on Saturday, July 24th. We are calling it “bring a friend” workday to share with others what we are doing, and a few extra hands can go a long way to completing this project ahead of our mid-September goal. We are planning on connecting the bypass track and set forms heading towards the station.

The big push continues to complete the last 225-feet of the passenger line project with our next scheduled workday on Saturday, July 24th. We are calling it “bring a friend” workday to share with others what we are doing, and a few extra hands can go a long way to completing this project ahead of our mid-September goal. We are planning on connecting the bypass track and set forms heading towards the station.