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The Indiana Live Steamers own and maintain a portable track for setting up at train shows and other local venues to promote the live steaming hobby. We take this track out 2 - 4 times per year. Equipment in regular operation is borrowed for the display. Normally, the portable track is in service only one weekend at a time. Many times, we find ourselves operating at an indoor train show. |
Fire officials frown on the use of live steam or internal combustion engines inside, so a battery powered locomotive is normally used to pull the train.
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The first thing that needs to be accomplished when setting up for a show is to get the trains and track setup. As any live steamer can attest, these things are heavy! The members of the ILS have learned the hard way that it is much easier to build a ramp track than it is to try and pick up the engine and cars. |
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Once the track and trains are setup and checked for safety, it is time to work on the rest of the display. There is a "N" scale layout that is a representation of out permanent layout. Often, visitors do not realize what the model represents. Often, one can hear an ILS member describe it like this, "Most of the model railroaders you will see today at the train show model full-size railroads...We model our models..." While it sounds awkward at first, people often chuckle when they have processed that statement.
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The layout is composed of two 4x6 sheets of plywood and represents the approximate 20 acres of developed track layout. When the final 14 acres is complete, the ILS will need to add another board. |
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The track that we use is made of 1/2" tubular steel, bar stock "rail joiners", and flat steel strap for ties. There are approximately 8 straight sections and 32 curved sections. In all, the layout will easily occupy a 60 x 100 foot area.
It seems to work well. The only complaint some members have is that the steel track is very dirty and sometimes it is difficult to separate after a weekend run. |
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When it is ready to go and the show has opened, it takes approximately eight ILS members to properly run the exhibit. The train crew, safety inspector, station master, and a handful of greeters can stay very busy. Passengers are carried once around the track. They detrain about 30 feet from where they picked up the train. This helps with the traffic flow and it fosters a very safe operating environment. Passengers can ride as often as they like, but they must go through the line before being able to ride for a second, third, or more times...
The final touch on for the exhibit is an area where visitors can take a look at the various projects that members have recently completed. This is also a good place to display a few steam engines. It is really neat to see facial expressions when onlookers realize that these are real steam engines.
Page last updated 01/29/2006
