About the Long Island Live Steamers
LONG ISLAND LIVE STEAMERS, INC. was founded in 1966 to promote the fine art of precision model making, especially as applied to steam machinery. While our outdoor tracks, and the trains that run on them, represent our most visible activity our members also build scale model steam boilers, stationary steam engines, steam powered boats, steam powered tractors, and other miscellaneous functioning models. Only a few of our members are professional machinists; others are hobbyists with small basement shops; others have no shops and project, but are interested in steam power.
The club site is located in Southaven (Suffolk) County Park, which is near William Floyd Parkway and Sunrise Highway. The county has made available about 8.5 acres of land on which to build operating railroad layouts. We have constructed an elevated railroad layout for 3/4" and 1" scale trains with about 1000' track (the Highline) and a layout of about 4600' track for 1 1/2" scale (the Groundline). In return for the use of the park land, the club offers visitors rides on our Run Days scheduled for the second and last Sundays of each month from the middle of May until the end of October.
While some of our members are prevented by geography or circumstances from working at the track (some Members live as far away as Florida and Texas), we encourage ALL members to come out to the park for some fresh air and exercise whenever they can. Members work at the track almost every Sunday, year around, and on some weekdays and Saturdays as well. Members are especially important to the success of the Run Days and Meet Days. But best of all, we get together to share our interest in the making, maintaining, and operating steam machinery and railroads. All Members receive the monthly newsletter, Smoke Signals.
In order to meet the needs of all who would like to join us, there are four classes of membership in the LONG ISLAND LIVE STEAMERS. Check out our Membership Page for our current dues structure.
Club Meetings are held monthly. A club schedule is set for each year and updated in each issue of Smoke Signals. In addition to the Run Days, we hold three Meets a year. On those weekends, live steamers from Northeast U.S. and Eastern Canada are invited to join us at the track for demonstrations, displays, discussions, and running lots of trains. In addition there are social events for members only.
We believe that we have one of the finest tracks in the country (and we are only a little bit prejudiced!). If you would like to join us as a member please fill out a Membership Form and return it to us. Better yet, come down to the park on a Run Day or other scheduled event and submit your form in person. We welcome your participation in the club.
