Lake Shore Live Steamers.com

Located at

Penitentiary Glen
8668 Kirtland-Chardon Rd
Kirtland, Ohio 44094

The crew has set out different types of railroad cars on the track for the Tremendous Trains Program that we are hosting again this year for the youngsters. Skip Frank is giving a talk on the steam engine operation and has blocked it up off the track and has the engine running on air.

Jann Glove of the Park system answers a question posed by one of the youngsters. Judson Elliott took over phase 2 of the talk on the different type of cars that the railroad used and the type of loads that they would probably haul.

For this morning session we had a good turnout and the kids watched with rapt attention as Judson's presentation continued. Judson brought a G scale passenger car to show the kids that it wasn't necessarily goods that rode over the rails but also passengers.

Molly Greene helped with the presentation as they showed pictures of some of the equipment that the railroads used. After the explanation of the cars that we had on display and what they were used for the group headed towards the loading area for a ride on our trains.

Our engineers are John Koontz and Judson Elliott that are ready to depart after having their trains loaded by Paul Emch as Jann Glove and Edith Hacker watch. Judson is the first to depart from the station with his passengers.

John waits for the final few passengers to load on his train before departing the station. Judson with his train as he passes through Zip Junction on his way towards Horrendous which is the halfway point of the ride.

The next group of youngsters for the 1 o'clock session are carefully listening to Skip Frank as he goes over the operation of the steam engine. You can see how intense the youngsters were listening to Skip's talk.

The youngsters were very attentive and we generally have a good turnout because we have a group coming in at 10 o'clock in the morning 1 o'clock and 3 o'clock in the afternoon and the Tremendous Trains Program has turned into a two day event to accommodate all the kids that sign up for it.

Skip told the youngsters he was going to blow the whistle so some of them prepared themselves by putting their fingers in their ears. Since the whistle was at the same approximate elevation is the heads of the youngsters they probably were glad they did.

Skip answers a question as Judson Elliott in the background waits for the group to move over to his area.After the group gathered by the cars Judson started his talk about the railroad cars and the uses they have on the railroad.

Here Judson explains the passenger car and the youngsters showed a genuine interest in the talk which could be hands-on. Here a young man answers the question Judson had asked about the trains.

Judson describing the gondola and what type of loads it might carry for the railroad. The kids were peering into the stock car looking at the cattle that were inside.

With the train loaded with the attendees, Paul Zorko starts gaining speed with his train as he leaves the station. John's train is loaded and he's about ready to leave with only a few people left for the next train coming in.

Paul Zorko steps away from the train as Paul Emch talks to a rider about taking their picture with their camera as Molly Greene watches. The last of the attendees board the train and get riding instructions from Ken Brooks before they depart the station.

When the cars get old and are overloaded they become swayback as depicted with this model....too many cows can do it. The group for the 3 o'clock program have arrived and Skip aided by his grandson Josh Frank discussed the steam engine and its workings.

Skips going over the workings of the engine keeping the talks geared to the age group of those in attendance. Because Skip had the engine up on blocks he could run it on air and they could see close-up the action of the side rods as they made their circular pattern.

Based on looking at the kids guess what Skip is going to do? After Skip's presentation, it was open for any questions from adults or the kids.

Judson took over the next segment of the program and explain to this group the different type of cars and how are they are used by the railroads. Once again he went through the pictures showing them the different type of operations and cars used by the railroad.

As Judson worked along cars to the end where the cabooses were he was explaining the car usages by the railroads.After the talk once again it was time to ride the trains as the attendees lined up at the loading zone.

John pulls away from the station with a trainload of attendees and it looks like those left standing will be able to get on the next train. Paul Zorko advances the shifter and the train slowly starts to move out on the last run for today which concludes our program.