The rebuilding of Pikes Peak has started
For those that have traveled west and visited Pikes Peak you may remember that it closed a couple of years ago with an uncertain future. Good news is the construction on the new Cog Railway has started and a year from now should be up and running. Here is an article that was posted recently which goes into details regarding the construction plans.
For those that have traveled west and visited Pikes Peak you may remember that it closed a couple of years ago with an uncertain future. Good news is the construction on the new Cog Railway has started and a year from now should be up and running. Here is an article that was posted recently which goes into details regarding the construction plans.
Photo courtesy of Colorado.com
Workday Scheduled - Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 8:30 a.m.
We have a workday planned for Saturday, May 23rd starting at 8:30 a.m. The plan is to build a retaining wall for the container and container track. If you are able coming make sure you bring a lunch, water, and a good sense of humor.
We have a workday planned for Saturday, May 23rd starting at 8:30 a.m. The plan is to build a retaining wall for the container and container track. If you are able coming make sure you bring a lunch, water, and a good sense of humor.
May 16, 2020 Workday Recap
We had a last minute workday come up this past Saturday. The workday crew focused on repairing a yard switch, east loop siding, mowed the grass, got the club riding mower running, and mapped out how the 20-foot container is going to be placed. Be on the lookout for a workday to be scheduled soon which will be focused on building a retaining wall and preparing the ground for the container.
We had a last-minute workday come up this past Saturday. This past Saturday’s crew included Elijah, Dan C, Joe, Ben, “Bob”, Gene, Norm, and Robby. The crew focused on repairing a yard switch, east loop siding, mowed the grass, got the club riding mower running, and mapped out how the 20-foot container is going to be placed. One of the highlights of the day was when “Bob” helped move the container a whopping 4 inches in order to better align things for the 20-foot container extension. Be on the lookout for a workday to be scheduled soon which will be focused on building a retaining wall and preparing the ground for the container.
Workday Recap for Saturday, May 9, 2020
It was a big day for the railroad. We completed the ash pit track providing an easy access for our coal fired steam engines to clean out and a second way off the turn table.
It was a big day for the railroad. We completed the ash pit track providing an easy access for our coal fired steam engines to clean out and a second way off the turn table. Working hard today included Wes, Scott, Ben, “Bob”, Elijah, Robby, Norm, Calvin, David E, and more. Dan C. also stopped by to do a little work on his locomotive and went around the railroad a couple of times. The next thing on our radar is to install the new 20-foot storage container, grade crossing, and a few more track panels. Be on the lookout for more details on our next workday.
Speaking of our next workday we are in need of having the grass cut again soon. If you are able to get get to the site with a riding lawnmower the property could use a good haircut.
Thank you to everyone who gave during yesterday's #GivingTuesdayNow event
Yesterday we participated in #GivingTuesdayNow along with thousands of other non-profit organizations. While the final numbers and matching amount have not be tallied yet we do know as of Tuesday night we had raised $875. While we wait for the numbers to be tallied we are going to keep on improving the railroad and perform necessary maintenance.
We Appreciated Your Donation
Yesterday we participated in #GivingTuesdayNow along with thousands of other non-profit organizations. While the final numbers and matching amount have not be tallied yet we do know as of Tuesday night we have raised $875. While we wait for the numbers to be tallied, we are going to keep on improving the railroad and perform necessary maintenance.
As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with the public and hope to see you at the railroad one day soon. Watch our Facebook page and our website for information about future Public Ride dates.
If you would like to get involved with our organization and railroad please reach out to our club President Bill for more information. We have workdays periodically every month and is always a great opportunity to get to know some of the members and see what we do.
#GivingTuesdayNow - Help support North Georgia Live Steamers today
If you have enjoyed bringing your kids out for a train ride (and inside aren’t we all kids?) won’t you consider donating whatever you can afford to assist us in bringing our model railroading to you. Today we are participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving as a response to the crisis. This has stressed our financial situation while we work on ongoing maintenance, keeping the equipment ready to run and the track safe to ride on. Please help us keep the railroad running by donating today. We are a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization.
Help support North Georgia Live Steamers
We’re just a model railroad club. Why do we need your help? Well, by now you may have noticed that we have had to cancel 3 of our 5 Public Run Days this year. And we don’t know yet what will happen later in the year. But we will be back someday even if we don’t know exactly when.
In the meantime, we are going to keep on improving our railroad with a primary goal of giving you the public a terrific experience riding the rails. We have plans to make the ride longer and even more interesting. We want to improve our passenger station to make it safer, more efficient and more comfortable. But all this takes money. Our member dues already go to defray part of our operating cost, but it isn’t enough. We have to buy insurance, fuel and other supplies to keep the trains running. We are constantly maintaining our track and switches and as we mentioned above, we can’t stop trying to make the railroad better for you. Without the money we make from Public Run Days all this improvement activity and even some maintenance will be put on hold.
So, if you have enjoyed bringing your kids out for a train ride (and inside aren’t we all kids?) won’t you consider donating whatever you can afford to assist us in bringing our model railroading to you. Today we are participating in #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of giving as a response to the crisis. This has stressed our financial situation while we work on ongoing maintenance, keeping the equipment ready to run and the track safe to ride on. Please help us keep the railroad running by donating today. Remember we are a 501(c)(3) Charitable Organization. Checks can be mailed to:
North Georgia Live Steamers
P.O. Box 1809
Conyers, GA 30012
As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with the public and hope the need for cancellations will be short in duration. Watch our Facebook page and our website for information about future Public Ride dates.
Update: Club Meeting & Club Fun Day scheduled for Saturday, June 6th
Our June club meeting and club fun day will be on Saturday, June 6th. Club fun day starts at 8:30 a.m. with meeting is at 1 p.m.
Our June club meeting and club fun day will be on Saturday, June 6th. Club fun day starts at 8:30 a.m. with meeting is at 1 p.m. Make sure you bring plenty of water, sunscreen, trains, and a smile. If you are coming for the day make sure you bring your own lunch as we will not be cooking out.
Do You Shop at Kroger's? You Could Be Raising Money For North Georgia Live Steamers
If you shop at Kroger's, your everyday purchases could turn donations to the North Georgia Live Steamers. All you do is register and use your Kroger card every time you shop at Kroger's.
If you shop at Kroger's, your everyday purchases could turn donations to the North Georgia Live Steamers. All you do is register and use your Kroger card every time you shop at Kroger's.
How do you register your card? Simply click on the link below and login to your account. Under the Community Rewards program you will find a button that says, "re-Enroll Now". Type in North Georgia Live Steamers and you are in business. Make sure you tell all your friends about this great opportunity.
Here is the link to the reward program: Kroger Community Rewards program.
Remember spread the word to your friends and family and make sure they register North Georgia Live Steamers as a Kroger Community Reward recipient. If you have a hard time getting your Kroger Plus card associated with North Georgia Live Steamers you may also use this reference number which will also pull up North Georgia Live Steamers on the Kroger site. Our Kroger Community reference number is 45942.
If you have any questions regarding how the program works please visit Kroger Community Rewards for additional information.
Workday Recap Saturday, May 2, 2020
This past Saturday six club members (Wes, Gene, Norm, Calvin, Ben, and Robby) went to the site and worked on installing two switches and nearly 70 feet of track. The new track is for the ash pit line and storage container project.
This past Saturday six club members (Wes, Gene, Norm, Calvin, Ben, and Robby) went to the site and worked on installing two switches and nearly 70 feet of track. The new track is for the ash pit line and storage container project. The ash pit line will also give us a second route on and off the turn table. Over the next couple of workdays, the plan is to complete the ash pit line and begin to prepare the area for the 20-foot container extension. Be on the lookout for details around our next workday. We also will need to get the grass cut again in the next couple of weeks. If you have a riding lawn mower and can transport it to the site, it would help reduce the amount of time to cut the grass. Repairs to the club riding lawn mower will be completed soon.
Club Member Activity Survey
Things have been a little crazy over the past two months. With things slowly getting back to normal we are looking to get feedback to slowly get back to club related activities. Please click the link and fill out the three simple questions regarding future club activities at the railroad. If you are not comfortable or don’t want to fill out the survey simply reply to this email let us know your thoughts.
Things have been a little crazy over the past two months. With things slowly getting back to normal we are looking to get feedback to slowly get back to club related activities. Please click the link and fill out the three simple questions regarding future club activities at the railroad. If you are not comfortable or don’t want to fill out the survey simply reply to this email let us know your thoughts.
Question 1: Do you feel comfortable going out to the site for either a workday or club fun day in May?
Question 2: Are you interested in a club fun day in May?
Question 3: Are you available for a possible workday at the site in May?
Check out our latest videos found on our YouTube Channel
From the North Georgia Live Steamers archives we’ve uncovered some new videos and have posted them on our YouTube channel. Check out the latest videos. While you are watching the videos don’t forget to subscribe.
From the North Georgia Live Steamers archives we’ve uncovered some new videos and have posted them on our YouTube channel. Check out the latest videos. While you are watching the videos don’t forget to subscribe.
2020 Boiler Inspection Date Confirmed for Saturday, October 3rd at 8:30 a.m.
I know it seems like it is so far out but our annual Boiler Inspection date has been confirmed with the inspector. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3rd for our annual inspection. This is the same day as our prep day for our October 10th public run day.
I know it seems like it is so far out but our annual Boiler Inspection date has been confirmed with the inspector. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 3rd at 8:30 a.m. for our annual inspection. This is the same day as our prep day for our October 10th public run day.
Workday Recap for Saturday, April 25, 2020
This past Saturday, April 25th, while practicing social distancing, a few members went out to the site and started the cleanup process of cutting grass, weed eating, and tripping over huge ant hills. The grass was nearly 2 feet tall in a few places especially since it was early March since we have been out to the site to do any work. Upon arrival an issue was found with the pump station (lift station) which led to the fire department being called. All is well and it appears everything is pumping again.
This past Saturday, April 25th, while practicing social distancing, a few members went out to the site and started the cleanup process of cutting grass, weed eating, and tripping over huge ant hills. The grass was nearly 2 feet tall in a few places especially since it was early March since we have been out to the site to do any work. Upon arrival an issue was found with the pump station (lift station) which led to the fire department being called. All is well and it appears everything is pumping again. Norm spent a few minutes talking with a couple of the firefighters who mentioned his kids love to come out and ride trains. It was kind of ironic since Saturday was supposed to be a public ride day.
The club lawnmower needs a little help before our next workday. Robby and Wes got the lawnmower started but after a couple of minutes of running and white puff of smoke the lawnmower stopped. After opening things up and removing a mouse nest they tried again, and it started but again white puff of smoke. They tabled the repair and went back to weed eating the property while Norm took his riding lawnmower and cut the grass for hours. When it was all said and done Norm and Robby did decide that Wes was the king of the string trimmer since he not only trimmed around the property but nearly finished the east loop by the Gauge 1 railroad.
On Sunday, April 26th Dave E. went out and encouraged the ants to leave the property as soon as possible. We would have to see if they took the encourage, he left behind.
A big thanks to the members that made it out and look forward to getting together as a group one day soon. We are looking forward to having a club fun day as soon things get back to normal.
North Georgia Live Steamers Member News Update for April 24, 2020
What a crazy 2020 we have all had and often it has felt like ground hog day since mid-March. As everyone continues to watch everything related to COVID-19 our season to get out and visit with one another, play trains, and more continues to be at a distance.
As you might expect we have officially cancelled the May 16th public ride day. During this time, the grass continues to grow, the ants continue to walk the rails, any work around the railroad has obviously come to a halt. If you do decide to go out to the site for any reason please make sure you communicate this will Bill Leahy so he can make sure the horse park is aware and remember be safe when at the site.
What a crazy 2020 we have all had and often it has felt like ground hog day since mid-March. As everyone continues to watch everything related to COVID-19 our season to get out and visit with one another, play trains, and more continues to be at a distance.
As you might expect we have officially cancelled the May 16th public ride day. During this time, the grass continues to grow, the ants continue to walk the rails, any work around the railroad has obviously come to a halt. If you do decide to go out to the site for any reason please make sure you communicate this will Bill Leahy so he can make sure the horse park is aware and remember be safe when at the site.
While we sit around and find other things to do here are a few pictures cabooses that have traveled around the railroad over the past several seasons. If you have some pictures of your rolling stock and are interested in having those posted on our website please forward them to Robby.
Ride Day Schedule Update as of Friday, April 24, 2020
As a reminder North Georgia Live Steamers has cancelled our Saturday, April 25th public run day. We have also cancelled our May 16th public ride day. As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with you and your family in the near future. Watch our Facebook page and website for information about future Public Ride dates.
We look forward to see you and your family out on the railroad this fall for our remaining regularly scheduled ride days which are Saturday, October 10th and Saturday, November 7th.
As a reminder North Georgia Live Steamers has cancelled our Saturday, April 25th public run day. We have also cancelled our May 16th public ride day. As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with you and your family in the near future. Watch our Facebook page and website for information about future Public Ride dates.
We look forward to see you and your family out on the railroad this fall for our remaining regularly scheduled ride days which are Saturday, October 10th and Saturday, November 7th.
For more information about Train Rides click here.
Ride Day Schedule Update and Cancellations as of Friday, April 24, 2020
As a reminder North Georgia Live Steamers has cancelled our Saturday, April 25th public run day. We have also cancelled our May 16th public ride day. As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with you and your family in the near future. Watch our Facebook page and website for information about future Public Ride dates.
We look forward to see you and your family out on the railroad this fall for our remaining regularly scheduled ride days which are Saturday, October 10th and Saturday, November 7th.
As a reminder North Georgia Live Steamers has cancelled our Saturday, April 25th public run day. We have also cancelled our May 16th public ride day. As a nonprofit organization we look forward to sharing our hobby with you and your family in the near future. Watch our Facebook page and website for information about future Public Ride dates.
We look forward to see you and your family out on the railroad this fall for our remaining regularly scheduled ride days which are Saturday, October 10th and Saturday, November 7th.
For more information about Train Rides click here.
We don't often have run days in the summer but back on August 26, 2017 we had one of our largest ridership days
This was a historic day for NGLS as we gave 700 rides on our railroad in just 3 1/2 hours. So many smiling faces and appreciate all our volunteers who made the day such a success.
This was a historic day for NGLS as we gave 700 rides on our railroad in just 3 1/2 hours. So many smiling faces and appreciate all our volunteers who made the day such a success.
Support North Georgia Live Steamers by shopping at AmazonSmile
Our public run days is how North Georgia Live Steamers funds the railroad. Because we have had to cancel our first few run days of the seasons we currently do not have any funds coming in during this time. Thankfully we are an all volunteers non-profit and with that said, the funds we collect during our run days goes directly back into the railroad to help us with locomotive repairs, insurance, track expansion, and other items.
Our public run days is how North Georgia Live Steamers funds the railroad. Because we have had to cancel our first few run days of the seasons, we currently do not have any funds coming in during this time. Thankfully we are an all volunteers non-profit and with that said, the funds we collect during our run days goes directly back into the railroad to help us with locomotive repairs, insurance, track expansion, and other items.
We also understand that everyone is in the same boat during this time, but there is a super easy way you can help us out that doesn’t cost you anything! By logging on to your Amazon account through https://smile.amazon.com and choose North Georgia Live Steamers as your charity of choice, they will automatically donate a percentage of your purchase directly to us!
Sure wish we could go out and play with trains today.
As many of us take time to reflect on everything going on around the world here are some videos of our railroad in action from years past. Don’t forget to visit our YouTube channel for more great videos.
As many of us take time to reflect on everything going on around the world here are some videos of our railroad in action from years past. Don’t forget to visit our YouTube channel for more great videos.
Charlie Sill - Spring 2020
In 2015 Charlie created this video that we tom promote the club and railroad.