The volunteers at Long Island Live Steamers are inviting train enthusiasts of all ages to experience the world of model railroads during upcoming public run days in Southaven County Park.
Although the Yaphank-based club is private, its members regularly open the tracks to the public with much success. This month’s events will take place Sunday, Aug. 10, and Sunday, Aug. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rides will run through the wooded grounds of the park, with visitors asked to use the Gerard Road entrance.
A variety of trains will run throughout the day, including, on occasion, Club President Keith Denton’s personal steam engine. The train takes an hour to steam up and even longer to cool down.
“We have plenty of gasoline-powered diesels, and we have a few electrics. We have Thomas. We know the kids usually love that,” Denton said.
Although the club’s website describes Long Island Live Steamers as the island’s “best-kept secret since 1966,” the public run days are increasing its visibility. Denton encouraged visitors to be patient, as the growing popularity sometimes results in long lines.
“We’ve become very popular and so they have to have patience because there are an awful lot of people who have found us and want to have rides on our trains,” he said.
The club operates trains on two different scales. The larger trains run on a ground-level track, which is suitable for children who are able to board independently.
“We have taken people in their 90s,” Denton said, adding that riders with disabilities are also welcome. “We just need to help them get on and off.”
The smaller-scale “highline” operates on a raised track and requires passengers to straddle the car with their legs below track level. Denton noted that there is a minimum height requirement to ride this line.
According to Denton, the events are well received.
“People really have a good time out there,” he said. “Some people may not have a very large interest in trains but they just enjoy running around through a forest for a while. It’s very pretty with trees everywhere, and there are people who just like being out and doing something that’s kind of unique. And then there are people who are train nuts like me.”
Denton explained that the club’s founding members were machinists, not necessarily train enthusiasts.
“They were machinists who were building scale models of machines, and a steam engine is considered to be a simple machine,” he said. “They needed a place to test run their equipment so the park allowed them to build a simple loop of track in the woods. From that we have grown; now we’re a double track. It’s much larger, and we have all sorts of structures along the way including a working turntable.”
Today, the club has nearly 75 volunteers and engages in community outreach, including events for individuals with disabilities and visits from library groups.
“We’re very civic minded, and we believe in sharing with the public no matter what disability they happen to have,” Denton said.
To ride during a public run day, visitors must go to the ticket booth on one of the scheduled dates and make a cash donation. Tickets are sold until 2:30 p.m. each day.
Denton said public run days are typically held on two Sundays each month from May through October. Dates and possible weather cancellations can be found on the club’s website.