The Richmond Hill Live Steamers is a non-profit
live-steam club whose members are dedicated to building and operating scale
model steam, electric and diesel locomotives.
The History of
RHLS: R.H.L.S. was formed by a small group of model engineers who
decided they would like to operate their own track. Some of the founding
members are still actively involved in the club and have been a driving force
which has brought the club to the extensive facility that we all enjoy today.
Through subscriptions, donations and not a little hard work over the past
years, our track site, just north of Ballantrae, has been developed into the
best facility in Ontario.
Gauges: We have 4
gauges of track.
3 1/2 & 4 3/4 gauges run on another track we call
"The High Line". The engines are powered by steam generated by burning coal.
Some are battery powered electric engines and can pull several children or two
or three adults.
5" & 7 1/4" gauge are on a "Ground Level" track. We
have steam, electric & diesel powered engines which are capable of pulling
10 to 20 adults. This track is approximately 1800' long.
The whole site
is situated in trees on a 4 1/2 acre lot on the southwest corner of St. John's
Side Road and McCowan.
Visitors'
Information: The location is quiet and relaxing and visitors are
welcome to come and sit at our picnic tables among the trees and watch the
trains.
Our open house week-ends are in July and September when we are
open to the public and to other clubs or model Railways enthusiasts to bring
along their engines and enjoy the use of our facilities. On these week-ends our
ladies have a full snack bar in operation. Light snacks are available at other
times.
There is no entrance fee, but if you would like to make a
donation, red boxes are situated around the premises.
Camera enthusiasts
are very welcome, but we must warn you, not to lean out of the trains while
riding, as the cars have a very high centre of gravity and have a narrow wheel
gauge.
COME STEAM WITH US
2009
Executive: President: Brian Burns Vice
President: Jesse Woods Secretary: Sybil
Clothier Treasurer: Eric Motten Members-at-large: Graham
Moores, Art Gentle, Brian Compson
The club is taking part in the Whitchurch-Stouffville Doors Open
Event on Saturday, June 6, 2009 ~ 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
2009 Open House! Our
open house dates are Saturday, July 4, at 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m &
Sunday July 5, at 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m and Saturday, September 12, at
10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m & Sunday, September 13, at 10:30 a.m. to 4:00
p.m.
"International Meet" in conjunction with GHLS, TLS, TRHA, TSME for
"Affiliate Club members" only July 11 & 12, 2009
During our open house hours please stop by for a ride and don't
forget your camera!
Weather permitting the gates may be opened most Sundays from May
to September 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. We will be closed to the public on
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Donation boxes are available on the property during open house
~ all donations are used to maintain the club's property ~ Thank you for
keeping live steam alive!
The RHLS train track site is located in Ballantrae - 15922
McCowan Ave, one mile north of Aurora Road in trees on a 4 1/2 acre lot on the
southwest corner of St. John's Side Road and McCowan Road.{approximately 45
minutes, north of Toronto, Ontario, Canada}.
Click
here for Location Map
I would like to offer a warm welcome from the
official web-site of the Richmond Hill Live Steamers. (RHLS)...
The
Richmond Hill Live Steamers was first established in 1977, by a group of steam
train enthusiasts dedicated to preserving the rich history of these wonderful
old engines. An interested farmer in the Stouville-Whitechurch area offered a
small corner of his farm, approximately 5 acres, for a track setup. It has
taken years of concentrated effort, of many, to make the property ours and the
"dream" to become a "reality".
Today when you visit, you will view
beautifully detailed, small replica models, of various, well known, steam,
electric and diesel type engines. Many also have working tools and a range of
accessories built to scale.
We now have a comfortable Club House filled
with pictures and memorabilia. Our own railroad station and everything
imaginable built to scale such as water towers, coal shuts, a small village, an
old saw mill and even a gravel pit. Long stretches of track winds its way
through a cool forest of trees, that boasts a wonderful, seasonal, cascade of
colourful wild flowers. Our railroad would not be complete without bridges and
an old type trestle, coloured flashing lights, smoke, whistles and children's
laughter.
We are especially proud of our dual set of track installed
this year (2009). It allows two trains to pass, going in opposite directions,
enabling our passengers to wave and call to each other.
Not all members
own an engine, but they all contribute with expertise or hard work.
We
value and welcome all our visitors and thank them for their continuing support
financially...it would be impossible to maintain and improve the property
otherwise.
The RHLS invites you to come visit, ride the rails, and
relive a most memorable part of our Canadian heritage.
The club operates on approximately 4 1/2 acres of treed
property. This large wooded area has two sections of track which travel
through trees and over bridges. It makes for a very peaceful ride!
All donations offered to the club are used to maintain the club's
property. ~ Thank you for keeping live steam alive!
Website Designed and Maintained by: mingweb: contact can be made
through RHLS's contact person. All articles on this webpage were written by
RHLS members or the RHLS President.
All articles on this webpage were written by RHLS members or the
president.
This site contains links to other sites but Richmond Hill Live
Steamers is not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of these
other web sites.
It would be appreciated if you provide a link back to this page.
This is the correct way to share the content of this website. This page born
and first published Spring 2001. August 2009 host moved from geocities to
tripod.
Links are divided into the following
subcategories: Companies,
Clubs, Historical/Museums/Restoration, History, Japanese Shinkansen Trains,
Lists of Rail Sites, Magazines, RHLS Members' WebPages, Miscellaneous, Tours /
Transportation, Webpages, WebRings
