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. Fellow live steamers and those interested in the live steam and model railroading hobbies 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 7,500 feet of mainline with an additional 7,300 feet in sidings and yards. We also have a 180 foot, 3 track loop of elevated Gauge 1 and G-Gauge. Stationary and steam traction engines are also welcome.
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Ridge Live Steamers
Live Steam
We're just over a week away from the 2025 Winter Meet! The camping spaces are full, the final track projects are done, our visitor signage is getting ready to be installed, and all of our great friends are starting to show up.![]()
In the next couple of days we will update the website with all of the schedule details for the meet, as well our updated operational guidelines for ALL equipment that will be operating during the meet.![]()
This year we're happy to announce that we will have TWO food vendors onsite to give everyone more choices. ![]()
The Deli Dog will be available Thursday for lunch and dinner, and then Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner on Friday and Saturday.![]()
Legacy BBQ will be back again this year for lunch service on Friday and Saturday. We appreciate both of these vendors for working together with us!
This past weekend our track team installed the last major update that will be done prior to the Winter Meet in February. ![]()
As the Van Sickle Junction rebuild continues, the inbound passing track coming off the gauntlet track bridge has now been put in place. The new track will be opened to traffic once the required signal system changes have been implemented in the near future.![]()
The work shown in these pictures was over a two-day period. Prior to starting, the project had been surveyed, with the track location and elevation being staked in position.![]()
It was especially gratifying to see several multi-generational family teams out helping with this project. Training the younger members is crucial to the survival of this hobby.![]()
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(Note: There is ALWAYS a lot of questions about the ballast cars and the tamper - I've tried to show more detail on those as well)
For those that are planning to camp on site with us during the winter meet, there are only a couple small parking spots available and a couple dry spots available. ![]()
If you are still looking to camp with us, be sure to fill out the camping reservation form at the link below, but unless you get an email back specifically confirming your reservation, we do not guarantee there are spaces at this point. ![]()
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2025 Winter Meet February 20-23, 2025 - Ridge Live Steamers
www.ridgelivesteamers.org
You are invited to the annual WINTER MEET of the Ridge Live Steamers at the RIDGE LINES 7 ½” gauge track just south of Dundee, Florida on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 20 - 23, 20...
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The Ridge Live Steamers track crew is busy going over the track in preparation for the Florida Live Steamers Winter Meet. Most of the mainline curves are on plastic ties now. Some of the older track has been replaced as well.![]()
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There will be a large number of vendors in attendance.![]()
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We have as arranged to have 2 different food trucks on site Friday and Saturday. One will be there on Thursday.![]()
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There are still a few parking spots for small campers available.![]()
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It looks like we will be having a great meet this year.![]()
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Hope to see you there. I will be the person in the blue Tilley hat running around making sure everyone is having a good time.![]()
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Tim Meyer![]()
President Ridge Live Steamers
It's been a great weekend with Scout Troop 84 here to earn their Railroad Merit Badge.![]()
The troop has been camping onsite, cooking their own meals, and they've been diligent students learning all about railroading.![]()
In addition to the book work, they all had the chance to operate TWO different steam engines, taken day and night train rides, and of course had a great time at a monster bonfire. The troop even learned how to build track panels!![]()
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If you know of a troop that would like to earn the Railroad Merit Badge feel free to reach out!