All aboard! Steamers hit rails

All aboard! Steamers hit rails

Markham

By: Keely Grasser

A local model train club is providing a sure track to family fun this weekend at the top of McCowan Road.

The Richmond Hill Live Steamers is hosting an open house at their track site Saturday and Sunday.

The non-profit club’s members are dedicated to building and operating scale model trains.

Club member and past president Bill Clothier invites you to come and watch the trains operate — and get a ride on the mini-locomotives.

There are three sizes of trains that can operate at the club’s site, he said. The largest — which have seven- to 10-foot-long engines that weigh more than 400 pounds — operate on a track that lays on the ground.

These trains are able to take about a dozen adults for a ride on the club’s 1800-foot track, Mr. Clothier said, adding people get a kick out of the 80-foot bridge that carries the train over a ravine on the property.

Club members operate their own trains at the club site, Mr. Clothier said.

“These trains are either built from scratch or bought in pieces,” he said, noting that ready-built trains can cost up to $70,000.

Someone who builds their own train still puts thousands of dollars and hours of work into their creation, he said.

Trains owned by club members use a variety of fuels, including coal, steam, gasoline or electric-powered engines.

There are about 40 members in the club, from places all over Southern Ontario. Many of them will gather for the open house at the club’s track site in Ballantrae at 15922 McCowan Ave.

It’s at the corner of McCowan and St. John’s Side Road, north of Aurora Road.

“It’s an ideal location because it’s basically in a forest. So therefore, even on the hottest days, you get some shade,” Mr. Clothier said.  “Everyone comments on what a great location it is because of the trees.”

Go to geocities.com/richmondhill_livesteam for more information.

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