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. RLS Corporate property is private and visits are by invitation only. Fellow live steamers and those truly interested in the live steam and model railroading hobby 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 over 4,200 feet of mainline with an additional 7,300 feet in sidings and yards. We are in the process of extending our mainline by an additional 2,700 feet. We also have a 180 foot, 3 track loop of elevated Gauge 1 and G-Gauge. Stationary and steam traction engines are also welcome.

Please use the contact information provided on this website if you wish to schedule a visit to Ridge Lines Railroad.

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West Toccoi and Bostwick	February 3-5, 2012
Big Boots & Western	February 6-12, 2012
Central Pasco and Gulf	February 10-15, 2012
Largo Central	February 16-18, 2012
Tradewinds and Atlantic	February 17-18, 2012
Manatee Central	February 19-22, 2012
Ridge Live Steamers	February 23-26, 2012

Main Line Extension Completed

Saturday, December 31 2011, marked the completion of the Ridge Lines Main Line Extension. The project to complete our Main Line has taken slightly over a four years. A Bequest by Leon W. Johnson, Jr. has allowed us to finish this expansion. To honour Jim, the bridge has been named after him. Bill Hays and John Bortz with other helpers have built the track panels and finished joining the track.

Emporium News

The Emporium will be fully stocked for the February Meet. All shirts will be available in all sizes. RLS logo hats and striped engineer hats will also be available. Purchase yours early before your size is sold out.

Switch Yard Sale

Back by popular demand, the SWS will be under the big top. See the “Terms and Conditions” in hte January Newsletter. These terms and conditions only apply to the SWS, they do not apply to independent vendors. If you have items to sell, and do not wish to adhere to the T&C, you may set up your own table to display your items away from the SWS.

With the completion of the main line, a long-time dream has finalized with the installation of the last signal block. This means that now the signal system is on 24 hours per day so that work trains and fun trains can run in any direction at any time. The signals are powered by batteries recharged by solar cells.

We use a very SIMPLE system consisting of a capture button and a release button operated by the engineer. Looking at a green signal before entering a block, the engineer LIGHTLY taps the capture button, turning both ends of the block red, thus blocking oncoming trains. After proceeding through the block, the engineer LIGHTLY taps the release button, turning the signals at both ends of the block green for the next trains. The buttons are covered by soda bottles to weatherproof them and so that wasp nests can be seen. Just LIGHTLY tap the soda bottle to activate the signal.

A new feature is an electric turnout throw at Summit. The steep hill at Summit (called Farmer’s Hill due to the furrows made by engineers’ heels who have ignored the warning to have the train under control before proceeding) is now a CUTOFF that goes directly to Coachwhip Cut. When the signal button for Coachwhip is LIGHTLY tapped, the turnout automatically moves to the Cutoff route. When the train passes the turnout, it automatically returns to the normal mainline route. Trains following the trains taking the Cutoff route should wait behind the yellow tie or the turnout will not return to normal.

Due to the heavy traffic during the February Meet, the signal system will probably be turned off during the day and possibly turned on at night depending on decisions by meet officials.

Please come to the track and try out the signal system. It is very simple and easy to understand.

2011 RLS Fall Meet

The Fall Meet was held on October 21, 22 and 23. The weather was the best we've had since last April with highs in the mid to upper 70's and lows in the low to mid 50's. There was plenty of action all around the property and everyone appeared to be having a good time. The pot luck dinner was excellent as always with plenty of delicious food to go around. Thanks to everyone that made this a great event.

For pictures from the event, click here.

Did you miss the last newsletter?

If you missed the last newsletter, it's okay, you won't be left out. You can still catch up on the latest news by reading the newsletter online. RLS is happy to announce that a newsletter section has been added to the site. To read previous issues of the newsletter, click here.

If you don't remember the last time your boiler was inspected, now is the time to have it done. ALL boilers not inspected in the past 12 months must be inspected before they will be allowed on the track.