Trains, Trains, Trains! at Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History
Come visit North Georgia Live Steamers at Trains, Trains, Trains! event at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 29th and Sunday, January 30th from 9:30 AM-5:00 PM each day. The museum will be filled with model train layouts, many which you will be able to operate yourself.
Come visit North Georgia Live Steamers at Trains! Trains! Trains! event at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History. The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 29th and Sunday, January 30th from 9:30 AM-5:00 PM each day. The museum will be filled with model train layouts, many which you will be able to operate yourself.
For ticket information visit the museum website: https://www.southernmuseum.org/event-info/trains-trains-trains
Museum Location:
Train Ride Schedule announced for the 2022 Season
Our 2022 train ride schedule has been set and we look forward to seeing everyone around the railroad this season. The schedule for the 2022 season will be Saturday, April 30th, May 21st, October 1st, and November 5th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders must be at least 18 months old or older. No expectant mothers allowed to ride on the railroad. Tickets can be purchased on site. CASH Only. No Credit Cards.
For more information about our ride days please visit ride day webpage
Our 2022 train ride schedule has been set and we look forward to seeing everyone around the railroad this season. The schedule for the 2022 season will be Saturday, April 30th, May 21st, October 1st, and November 5th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Riders must be at least 18 months old or older. No expectant mothers allowed to ride on the railroad. Tickets can be purchased on site. CASH Only. No Credit Cards.
For more information about our ride days please visit ride day webpage
Welcome To The Railroad Social Event for New and Existing members
Over the past couple of years things have been a little different. We’ve added several new members and some of our existing members haven’t been able to make it to the site to enjoy the fellowship and of course trains. Come celebrate the start of our 2022 season with a “Welcome To The Railroad” social event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before our February 5th meeting at 1p.m. Come as early as you want and socialize with other members of North Georgia Live Steamers. If you have any questions, please contact Robby Mossman.
Note: This is NOT a public run day but is open to anyone interested in learning more about our organization.
Over the past couple of years things have been a little different. We’ve added several new members and some of our existing members haven’t been able to make it to the site to enjoy the fellowship and of course trains. Come celebrate the start of our 2022 season with a “Welcome To The Railroad” social event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. before our February 5th meeting at 1 p.m. Come as early as you want and socialize with other members of North Georgia Live Steamers. Members are encouraged to bring trains and make the day a club fun day. If you have any questions, please contact Robby Mossman.
Note: This is NOT a public run day but is open to anyone interested in learning more about our organization.
***Weather Permitting***
The 2022 North Georgia Live Steamers Board Announced
The members of North Georgia Live Steamers voted and approved the 2022 board members. The board will be made up of:
The members of North Georgia Live Steamers voted and approved the 2022 board members. The board will be made up of:
President - Peter Craymer
Vice President - Scott Moore
Treasurer - Norm Wizner
Secretary - Robby Mossman
Board Members at large include:
Calvin Abernathy, Safety Officer
Bob Cummings
John Tuten
As part of the responsibility of the board members at large one member must be designated as the Safety Officer. The 2022 Safety Officer will be Calvin Abernathy.
If you have any questions, please free to reach out to Peter Craymer or Robby Mossman for additional information.
1st Meeting of 2022 will this Saturday, January 8th at 1 p.m.
Our first club meeting of the year will be this Saturday, January 8th at 1 p.m. The agenda for the meeting will including the voting of our 2022 board along with other club related business. The meeting will be held at the site and the weather is looking sunny and may reach 50 degrees. Don’t forget to bring money to pay your dues and if you ordered calendars remember to pay ($16 per calendar) Norm for those as well.
Our first club meeting of the year will be this Saturday, January 8th at 1 p.m. The agenda for the meeting will including the voting of our 2022 board along with other club related business. The meeting will be held at the site and the weather is looking sunny and may reach 50 degrees. Don’t forget to bring money to pay your dues and if you ordered calendars remember to pay ($16 per calendar) Norm for those as well.
Voting for 2022 Board Positions is now open
Electronic voting for the 2022 board positions is now open through Friday, January 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. Based on the results of the nomination process during the Saturday, December 4, 2021, meeting the following individuals will automatically be placed on the 2022 board.
President: Peter Craymer
Vice President: Scott Moore
Treasurer (2020-2022): Norm Wizner
Secretary: Robby Mossman
The following individuals have been nominated to fill one of three board positions for the 2022 term.
Electronic voting for the 2022 board positions is now open through Friday, January 7, 2022, at 7 p.m. Based on the results of the nomination process during the Saturday, December 4, 2021, meeting the following individuals will automatically be placed on the 2022 board.
President: Peter Craymer
Vice President: Scott Moore
Treasurer (2020-2022): Norm Wizner
Secretary: Robby Mossman
The following individuals have been nominated to fill one of three board positions for the 2022 term. As a voting Full Member, you will be selecting three individuals from the list below on the electronic ballot. The electronic ballot should only be used if you are not going to be at the January 7, 2022, meeting to submit a ballot in person.
Nominees:
Calvin Abernathy
Dan Crumbly
Bob Cummings
David Eisman
Joe Fabregas
Rick Kight
John Tuten
Electronic Ballot
A look back at 2021 highlighted by the completion of the passenger line.
As we take a moment to look back on all that we accomplished in 2021 none of it would have happened without the dedication of each of our members. The countless volunteer hours put in by everyone including “Bob”, “Bob2”, and a special appears by “Bob Jr” made this past year unbelievable. This year like 2020 saw nearly 40 workdays which is equivalent to about 5 years of work if you look at how many workdays on average, we’ve normally done before 2020. While we may not be able to maintain this pace into 2022, we certainly made these interesting times work for our group and the railroad. Take a moment and check out some of the things we did each month in 2021.
As we take a moment to look back on all that we accomplished in 2021 none of it would have happened without the dedication of each of our members. The countless volunteer hours put in by everyone including “Bob”, “Bob2”, and a special appears by “Bob Jr” made this past year unbelievable. This year like 2020 saw nearly 40 workdays which is equivalent to about 5 years of work if you look at how many workdays on average, we’ve normally done before 2020. While we may not be able to maintain this pace into 2022, we certainly made these interesting times work for our group and the railroad. Take a moment and check out some of the things we did each month in 2021.
January
The year started off with our annual New Year’s Day Club Fun Day. This day paved the way for exciting times around the railroad including construction of lots of track panels and a few switches for both the passenger line and the next member container throughout the month.
February
As things began to pick up in 2021 the crew sorted and cut more ties and built a lot more track panels for the passenger line project.
March
The theme of the year is taking shape as March brought more track construction, site prep for member container, and a chance to poke a little fun at each other along the way.
April
With all of the track panels built and the weather continuing to be favorable for us the grade crossing big dig began paving the way for a 60-foot crossing at the main entrance to the property. This also signaled the start of the big push to complete the passenger line.
April wasn’t all work and no play. Our annual spring awakening club fun day took place as we got a chance to dust the cobwebs off of our equipment and enjoy the day and the railroad.
May
This month marked one of the busiest months we’ve had at the railroad in years. From digging and installing a 60-foot concrete grade crossing, installing a 30-foot pedestrian crossing, and digging a path to complete the passenger line project.
June
After the concrete was poured last month, it was time to clean up around the crossing for our first official vehicle crossing with a focus on connecting the new grade crossing with the pedestrian crossing.
July
Things slowed a little because of the summer heat but that didn’t stop the crew from connecting the passenger line to the bypass giving us the ability to travel across the new passenger line connecting the east and west ends of the railroad together.
August
With the passenger line connected on both ends, minus the station track, our first official locomotive across the new passenger line was the club steamer with Bob Cummings at the controls. The crew worked on putting decking material on the pedestrian crossing and started work on the station track.
September
As we moved into September, we can see the light at the end of the tunnel as the passenger line is completed. We also took advantage of the completion to take care of a few other items around the property including adding a much needed drain the driveway to divert some of the water out to the east field. The finishing touches are being completed just in time for the railroad to reopen for our first public run day in nearly two years.
October
The first public run day in two years took place and with the completion of the passenger line really improved the dynamic on how well our railroad operated.
November
Things are shifting towards our next set of projects which includes the installation of the shop containers, member container, and work has begun to restore a full-scale signal head and pole.
We also had a chance to squeeze in our second run day of the year with a great turnout which produced a lot of smiles. Although a few of our diesel locomotives did feel like they were being left out because a lot of people wanted to ride on a steam engine.
December
As we closed out 2021 we worked the next member container by installing the form for the bridge and running electricity into the container.
Thank you
We thank each of you for your individual contributions and look forward to 2022. If you’ve been unable to come out to the railroad recently, we look forward to seeing you soon. We are working on a “Welcome to the railroad” social event on February 5th more details to follow. This will be away for each of us to reconnect with each other and get a chance to meet some of our new members going into the near year.
2022 North Georgia Live Steamers Board Nominees
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, North Georgia Live Steamers nominated individuals for the 2022 board with voting to take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022, during the regularly scheduled meeting. The nominees are:
On Saturday, December 4, 2021, North Georgia Live Steamers nominated individuals for the 2022 board with voting to take place on Saturday, January 8, 2022, during the regularly scheduled meeting. The nominees are:
President: Peter Craymer
Vice President: Scott Moore
Secretary: Robby Mossman
Board Members nominees:
Calvin Abernathy
Dan Crumbly
Bob Cummings
David Eisman
Joe Fabregas
Rick Kight
John Tuten
The treasurer’s position is a three-year term and Norm Wizner will continue in this role through 2022. Also note that because only one individual for President, Vice President, and Secretary were nominated those individuals will automatically server in those positions through 2022. On Saturday, January 8, 2022, will select three individuals to full fill the board member positions that are available.
If you have any questions regarding the nomination or voting process, please contact Peter Craymer or Robby Mossman.
#GivingTuesday - Help support North Georgia Live Steamers today
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization and operate with volunteers and donations from individuals like you. Why do we need your help? We have several of ongoing projects that, as you might expect, need funding to complete. This funding comes from a variety of sources including individual donors such as yourself. During each year we participate in several of fund-raising events including our primary being giving rides to the public. However, the past couple of years have been challenging for everyone and that is why we are asking for your help.
support North Georgia Live Steamers - #GivingTuesday
We are a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit educational organization and operate with volunteers and donations from individuals like you. Why do we need your help? We have several of ongoing projects that, as you might expect, need funding to complete. This funding comes from a variety of sources including individual donors such as yourself. During each year we participate in several of fund-raising events including our primary being giving rides to the public. However, the past couple of years have been challenging for everyone and that is why we are asking for your help.
In 2020 and 2021 we took care of a lot of projects including the completion of what we call our “Passenger Line". Now we are moving into 2022 and hope to fund several other projects like the completion of the “Grandma Line”, add a railroad signal system, and general maintenance of the railroad and equipment. With your help and our volunteers all of this and more is possible. But all this takes money.
So, if you have enjoyed bringing your kids out for a train ride (and inside aren’t we all kids?) won’t you consider donating whatever you can afford to assist us in bringing our model railroading to you. Today we are participating in GivingTuesday, a global day of giving as a way to support not-for-profit organizations like ours.
Please join us in our efforts to demonstrate a working miniature railroad to the public and educate everyone on the rich history of railroading in our country's history. To donation, please use the Donate button or you can mail your donation to: North Georgia Live Steamers, P.O. Box 1809, Conyers, Georgia 30012.
Happy Thanksgiving from North Georgia Live Steamers
North Georgia Live Steamers want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. As a not-for-profit educational organization, we rely on our members and volunteers like you. This year we are extra thankful for hours of time our members and volunteers have provided.
North Georgia Live Steamers want to wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving. As a not-for-profit educational organization, we rely on our members and volunteers like you. This year we are extra thankful for hours of time our members and volunteers have provided.
That is a wrap on the 2021 train ride season
A big thank you to everyone who came out and visited with us on our last ride day of the 2021 season. The day was full of so many special visitors including a large group from the Georgia Garden Railroad Society. A special thanks to each of the North Georgia Live Steamers members who volunteered and ran trains throughout the day. We look forward to seeing everyone next year as the railroad comes alive again in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit our website and social media pages for the latest on what’s going on during the offseason.
A big thank you to everyone who came out and visited with us on our last ride day of the 2021 season. The day was full of so many special visitors including a large group from the Georgia Garden Railroad Society. A special thanks to each of the North Georgia Live Steamers members who volunteered and ran trains throughout the day. We look forward to seeing everyone next year as the railroad comes alive again in the spring of 2022. In the meantime, don’t forget to visit our website and social media pages for the latest on what’s going on during the offseason.
Mark you calendar for our 2022 Train Ride Dates
Come ride trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $2 per person per ride on the railroad. Must be at least 18 months old or older. Sorry expectant mothers are not allowed to ride on the railroad. Cash Only. We also do NOT accept debit/credit cards.
For more information about Train Rides click here.
Shop container delivery and placement workday on Friday, November 19th
The day has finally come to take delivery and place containers that will become part of our shop and a member container. We will be placing three 40’ containers side by side and then place a 40’ high cube next to the member container area on the railroad. Bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor we are probably going to need all we can get as thing come together.
The day has finally come to take delivery and place containers that will become part of our shop and a member container. We will be placing three 40’ containers side by side and then place a 40’ high cube next to the member container area on the railroad. Bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor we are probably going to need all we can get as thing come together.
Impromptu workday recap for Monday, November 8th
On Monday, November 8th a small crew went to the site to complete the groundwork for the new club workshop containers and next member container. The crew, which consisted of Norm, Ben, “Bob”, Robby, Wes, and our favorite delivery guy Bill C., from Sheppard Trucking, who brought us about 18-tons of crusher run that was placed in between the forms where the shop containers are going. Rick also stopped by to jump into the story telling while Ben and “Bob” did a lot of the work. Next step is to take delivery and place the containers which is scheduled for Friday, November 19th. If you are looking for something to do on that Friday, come out and join in on the fun.
On Monday, November 8th a small crew went to the site to complete the groundwork for the new club workshop containers and next member container. The crew, which consisted of Norm, Ben, “Bob”, Robby, Wes, and our favorite delivery guy Bill C., from Sheppard Trucking, who brought us about 18-tons of crusher run that was placed in between the forms where the shop containers are going. Rick also stopped by to jump into the story telling while Ben and “Bob” did a lot of the work. Next step is to take delivery and place the containers which is scheduled for Friday, November 19th. If you are looking for something to do on that Friday, come out and join in on the fun.
The crew also pulled out a signal poll and trimmed it down to size in preparation for a restored signal head that Dave L. recently completed will be mounted on this poll. Looking forward to seeing more railroad structures around the railroad in the future.
Come ride trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
The railroad comes alive one final time for the 2021 season on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Over the past two years the members and volunteers of North Georgia Live Steamers have been hard at work making changes to the railroad including the addition of nearly 1,000-feet of track to the railroad adding to the overall experience. Get your friends and family together and come out an enjoy riding trains on Saturday, November 20th from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Cost is $2 per person per ride on the railroad. Must be at least 18 months old or older. Sorry expectant mothers are not allowed to ride on the railroad. Cash Only. We also do NOT accept debit/credit cards.
For more information about Train Rides click here.
Railroad located at: 1632 Centennial Olympic Parkway Northeast, Conyers, GA, 30013
1st Fall Meet at the Conyers & Hightower Trail Railroad is now history
Our first fall meet is in the books. A big thanks to everyone who attended and while we don’t have a lot of pictures from the weekend here is quick video of just some of the action on Saturday. For those that are planners our 2022 Fall Meet dates have already been set so mark your calendar for Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23rd. Click here for more details.
Our first fall meet is in the books. A big thanks to everyone who attended and while we don’t have a lot of pictures from the weekend here is quick video of just some of the action on Saturday. For those that are planners our 2022 Fall Meet dates have already been set so mark your calendar for Thursday, October 20th through Sunday, October 23rd. Click here for more details.
If you attended the sites and have some pictures you’d like to share please forward to newsletter@northgeorgialivesteamers.org
Video Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1cZDs1ilZQ
Video recorded by Scott Moore
Prep day for 1st ever Fall meet on Saturday, October 16th
We are just days away from our first ever fall meet. We will have a workday on Saturday, October 16th to cut grass, perform track maintenance, and more. Make sure you bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor.
We are just days away from our first ever fall meet. We will have a workday on Saturday, October 16th to cut grass, perform track maintenance, and more. Make sure you bring tools, lunch, water, and a good sense of humor.
For more information regarding our fall meet click the button below.
Thank you for coming out and making the railroad come alive - Saturday, October 2, 2021
What an incredible day at the Conyers & Hightower Trail railroad with so many visitors after a nearly two year absence of running trains for everyone to enjoy. Over the past two years club members and volunteers worked on reconfiguring the railroad to provide such an incredible experience yesterday. The members of North Georgia Live Steamers and the many volunteers who helped make day possible we want to say thank you.
What an incredible day at the railroad with so many visitors after a nearly two year absence of running trains for everyone to enjoy. Over the past two years club members and volunteers worked on reconfiguring the railroad to provide such an incredible experience yesterday. The members of North Georgia Live Steamers and the many volunteers who helped make day possible we want to say thank you. For those interested in learning more about our group or are interested in joining visit our website at https://northgeorgialivesteamers.org/membership.
We look forward to seeing everyone around the railroad on November 20, 2021 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. weather permitting.
Train Ride countdown has begun. Just 4 more days until the railroad comes alive.
Just four more days until the railroad comes alive with steam engines, diesel locomotives, and lots of smiling faces. Over the past two years the volunteers have worked almost around the clock to make improvements and adjustments to the railroad. In fact, since May 2020 the North Georgia Live Steamers volunteers have worked 56 out of the last 70 weekend
Countdown To Train Rides
Just four more days until the railroad comes alive with steam engines, diesel locomotives, and lots of smiling faces. Over the past two years the volunteers have worked almost around the clock to make improvements and adjustments to the railroad. In fact, since May 2020 the North Georgia Live Steamers volunteers have worked 56 out of the last 70 weekends.
You, your friends, and family are invited to come rides trains as the railroad on Saturday, October 2nd from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Cost is $2 per person per ride on the railroad. Must be at least 18 months old or older. Sorry expectant mothers are not allowed to ride on the railroad. Cash Only. We also do NOT accept debit/credit cards.
For more information about Train Rides click here.
Final clean up recap - Saturday, September 25, 2021
It was grass cutting day and final clean up around the railroad as we prepare to re-open the railroad for train rides after almost two years. The crew consisted of Gene, Robby, Wes, Norm, Dave L., and John T. The crew also repaired, leveled, and ballasted around the railroad. John and Robby also went around moving track panels out of the right of way area and picked up other construction items from all the work that has been done over the past two years.
It was grass cutting day and final clean up around the railroad as we prepare to re-open the railroad for train rides after almost two years. The crew consisted of Gene, Robby, Wes, Norm, Dave L., and John T. The crew also repaired, leveled, and ballasted around the railroad. John and Robby also went around moving track panels out of the right of way area and picked up other construction items from all the work that has been done over the past two years. The crew also looked at and debated the “Grandma” line project to try and figure out placement of switch and radius of curves needed. Bob C. conducted an engineer session on the club steamer with Dale certifying yet another engineer for the club steamers.
Now the countdown begins for Saturday, October 2nd. Please arrive as early as possible as we have a lot to setup and review with everyone since the railroad operates a little different than it did when we ran two years ago. An engineer meeting is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 2nd to review operating procedures. Make sure you bring two-way radios, and we have new whistles for club members.
