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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2010 RLS Spring Meet

The crowd was a little smaller than usual this year but the weather was great. We couldn't have asked for better weather. Trains were running all day each day and into the nights and everyone had a good time. The food at the carry in supper was delicious and plentiful. RLS would like to thank all those that made the Spring Meet a success and we hope to see everyone at the Fall Meet in October.

For pictures from the event, check out the Pictures page or click here.

2010 RLS Winter Meet

Even though the weather didn't fully cooperate, the RLS portion of the 2010 Florida Live Steamers Winter Meet was a big success. Everyone appeared to be having a good time and except when it was raining there was always some activity on the track. 7½" guage equiment included: 25 Steam Locomotives (15 Coal Fired, 2 Oil Fired, 6 Propane Fired, and 2 Electric), 17 Diesel Locomotives, 32 Electric Locomotives, 5 Interurbans and 163 cars and caboose.

Rumor has it the Annual Friday Ladies Lunch and Shopping trip was enjoyed by all who attended.

The covered dish carry-in supper was one of the biggest and best yet. There was plenty of delicious food and desserts. Thank you to everyone who contributed.

The FLS Banquet was held Saturday night with the traditional BBQ ribs and chicken dinner. The food was great and there were almost as many door prizes as people. Congratulations to the new FLS President; Harold Dunsford.

The Ridge Live Steamers would like to thank all the volunteers, vendors and vistors that made this years event a great one. Thank you!!

For pictures from the event, check out the Pictures page or click here.

The latest RLS track plan has been posted to the Info page. Click the image for a PDF version that can be printed in 11x17 format. PDF Reading software is required to open file.

Once again the weather cooperated and we had a great Fall Meet. Action on the 7½" gauge track started early and continued well into the evenings with bidirectional running after the sun went down. There were several steam and electric trains on the Gauge One and G-Gauge tracks.

On Saturday, the ladies decided that the men could fend for themselves for lunch and went out for a "ladies only" lunch and shopping trip. Everyone was back in time for the Carry-In Supper which was delicious as usual. To help beat the heat, the dessert table included ice cream.

Click here for pictures from the event.

  

For those interested in the mainline expansion project we've added some pictures that have been taken over the past several months. Click here or visit the main pictures page.

  

The miscellaneous pictures page has doubled in size. Various pictures have been added which include run day pictures, work day pictures, building Foster Bond Station, Progress Energy work and some of the "wildlife" that you might find while visting RLS. Click here for more.

  

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.

The second phase of the Main Line expansion, running from the crossover to the campground crossover is in, leveled and ballasted. The South Yard tracks are in and will be ballasted before the Winter Meet. Many people have worked diligently on this project. It is impossible to mention all the people who have worked on this, but notably are Tim Meyer, Tom Pfister, Bobby McElroy, “Butch” Trella, Jim Phillips, and Bill Hays.

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.