Pennsylvania Live Steamers in Collegeville, Pennsylvania

Written By Kelsey Cecil

Collegeville, Pennsylvania · Updated October 19, 2026 · 12 min read

Rail preservation groupTrain ridesNo public run days; members and their guests only

Pennsylvania Live Steamers is an all-volunteer nonprofit, founded in 1946, whose members build, maintain and run miniature steam and diesel trains big enough to ride on a 5-acre club railroad in Collegeville.

  • Founded in 1946
  • All-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit
  • 5-acre club railroad
  • Over 7,000 feet of track
  • Members and guests only
  • Associate memberships available

Pennsylvania Live Steamers at a glance

Hours
No public hours; run days are for members and guests
Admission
Not open to the public; associate memberships available
Train rides
Miniature train rides for members and their guests on run days
Seasonal events
Spring Meet, Fall Meet, Blowdown Meet, Annual PLS Picnic, Perkiomen Community Day Run Day, Turkey Trot Run (Gauge 1)
Best for
Live steam hobbyists and families connected to a member
Accessibility
The club site has accessible facilities for members and visitors.

Hours and prices as the museum posts them, checked October 19, 2026. Confirm before you go.

Look inside the book

Taking the kids to Pennsylvania Live Steamers? Bring Rally along.

In Rally Takes the Train, a corgi's little legs can't manage the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. It takes about five minutes to read, a good fit for the drive to Collegeville.

Page 1 of 8

Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

Like it so far? See the full book

25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $13.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.

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Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.

Eighty years of building trains you can ride

Pennsylvania Live Steamers, Inc. was established in 1946 as an all-volunteer organization devoted to preserving the country's mechanical and engineering railroad heritage. Its founding purpose was practical: to plan, build and operate a live steam railroad, and to encourage a spirit of cooperation among the people who love running one. The club is incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.

The club's early home was in Paoli, where it held meets before settling at its current 5-acre site near Collegeville. Members run several scales of miniature railway equipment, with one-eighth scale, one-twelfth scale and Gauge 1 the most common. Some members own their own locomotives and cars, but the club is clear that owning equipment is not a requirement to join. Plenty of members come for the friendship and the chance to learn.

In 2026 the club marked 80 years of friendship, craftsmanship and mentoring, passing on the skills needed to build and maintain trains that people can actually ride. That anniversary year also brought a full-size thrill: members gathered at Linfield, Pennsylvania on July 2 to watch Union Pacific's restored Big Boy steam locomotive pass through on its tour for the nation's 250th birthday, with member Pat Murphy hosting a group at his office in Stowe for the run-by. Volunteers keep a careful set of operating and safety rules, including boiler inspections done at the club site, so every run day is as safe as it is fun.

Five acres of track in three gauges

The club site holds about 3,200 feet of 1.5 inch scale track on 7.25 inch gauge, about 3,000 feet of 1 inch scale track on 4.75 inch gauge, an 800-foot multi-gauge loop and a 219-foot dual-tracked Gauge 1 loop. There are several unloading facilities for members bringing their own equipment, a turntable that sees plenty of action during meets, and accessible facilities for members and visitors.

On a run day, members fire up live steam locomotives and run diesel-outline engines pulling riding cars around the grounds. The big gatherings are the Spring Meet, Fall Meet and the late October Blowdown Meet, when visiting live steamers bring their own equipment. Because of liability concerns, rides on the property are offered only to members and their guests.

Don’t miss

  1. The 7.25 inch gauge main lineAbout 3,200 feet of 1.5 inch scale track, the largest of the club's railroads and the one built for riding trains.
  2. The 4.75 inch gauge railroadRoughly 3,000 feet of 1 inch scale track gives smaller engines their own long run around the site.
  3. The multi-gauge loopAn 800-foot loop where several gauges share the track, with its own relaxed rules for smaller equipment.
  4. The Gauge 1 loopA 219-foot dual-tracked loop for the smallest equipment, which even has its own Thanksgiving tradition, the Turkey Trot Run.
  5. The turntableA busy spot during the Fall Meet, when visiting engines are turned and lined up for their next run.

How families can ride

There is real joy in sitting on a little car behind a live steam engine, but at Pennsylvania Live Steamers it takes a little planning. The club no longer hosts public run days, so children ride as guests of a member, as part of an associate membership, or during special community dates. In 2026 the club held a Perkiomen Community Day run day for township residents, and train rides were offered from noon to 3 pm at the annual PLS picnic.

If your family wants in, email the club secretary to ask about attending a run day or about an associate membership. Kids who catch the bug can grow into the hobby: owning equipment is not required to be a member, and mentoring newcomers is a big part of what the club does.

Plan your visit: tips for Pennsylvania Live Steamers

  • Email secretary@palivesteamers.org before planning a visit; non-members need an invitation.
  • Ask about a limited associate membership if your family wants regular access.
  • Run days have rain dates, so check the club schedule if the weather turns.
  • Download the season calendar from palivesteamers.org to see meet dates.

All volunteers, since 1946

Every part of Pennsylvania Live Steamers is run by volunteers, from track work and boiler inspections to scheduling meets. The best way to support the club is to join: limited associate memberships are available to people interested in large-scale outdoor model railroading, and you do not need to own a locomotive. Donations to the 501(c)(3) nonprofit help keep the railroad running.

Full-size rides near Collegeville

For a train ride open to the public, the Colebrookdale Railroad is about 13 miles away and the West Chester Railroad about 19 miles. Live steam fans may also like the Marshall Steam Museum at Auburn Heights in Delaware, about 31 miles away. See every Pennsylvania train museum and railroad for more.

Every train museum in Pennsylvania

Bring Rally along: a train book for the drive

Watercolor of a dad lifting Rally the corgi up the big stairs of a red train car
From Rally Takes the Train, watercolor by Leslie Dunn.

Trains built at one-eighth size are the first ones that are just right for a corgi. In our book, Rally's short little legs cannot climb the big train stairs, so Dad gives him a boost. On a live steam railroad like this one, I think Rally could hop right on by himself and feel very proud. If your little one loves that stair scene, it is waiting on our coloring pages.

Free for train families

Print the Rally coloring pages before you go

Watercolor coloring pages from the book, free to print. Tuck a few in a folder with crayons for the drive or the wait for the next train.

Get the free coloring pages
Rally Takes the Train book cover: a watercolor corgi peeking from a red train

A train story for the ride homeRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi's first train trip to see his grand-paw-rents. Hand-painted in real watercolor. $13.99 on Amazon, for ages 0 to 8.

Buy on Amazon (opens in a new tab)

More for train families

Work or volunteer at Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

We want this page to be the best introduction to your museum on the web. Send new hours, event dates, corrections or photos to kelsey@rallytakesthetrain.com and we will update it. You are welcome to share this page with your members.

Sources

Everything on this page comes from the museum’s own website and social pages and, for history, Wikipedia, checked October 19, 2026.

Pennsylvania Live Steamers: 20 questions about the club

What is Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

Pennsylvania Live Steamers is an all-volunteer live steam railroad club founded in 1946 and incorporated as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Its members build, maintain and run miniature steam and diesel trains big enough to ride, mostly in one-eighth scale, one-twelfth scale and Gauge 1, on a 5-acre club site near Collegeville, Pennsylvania.

Where is the Pennsylvania Live Steamers club?

The club site is near Collegeville, Pennsylvania, and directory listings give its location as 468 Gravel Pike, Collegeville, PA 19426. Mail goes to P.O. Box 26202, Collegeville, PA 19426. Since visits are by invitation, email secretary@palivesteamers.org for directions before you go rather than just showing up.

Does Pennsylvania Live Steamers have public run days?

No. As of October 2026, the club says it no longer hosts public run days. Members and their guests are welcome at all club events, and non-members who want to attend a scheduled run day can contact the club secretary at secretary@palivesteamers.org for more information. Associate memberships are also available.

Can the public ride the trains at Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

Rides on the property are offered only to members and their guests, which the club explains is because of liability concerns. Families who want to ride should ask the club secretary about attending as a guest or about an associate membership. Occasional community dates, such as a 2026 run day for Perkiomen Township residents, have offered rides too.

How do I join the Pennsylvania Live Steamers club?

Membership details, levels and an application form are on palivesteamers.org. The club offers limited associate memberships for people interested in large-scale outdoor model railroading, and a club Facebook group has listed associate membership at $30 per year. You do not need to own a locomotive or cars to join.

Do I need my own train to join Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

No. The club says owning equipment is not a requirement for membership. Some members own locomotives or cars, and others join for the friendship and to learn. Mentoring members on building and maintaining ridable trains has been part of the club's mission for its whole 80-year history.

When was Pennsylvania Live Steamers founded?

Pennsylvania Live Steamers, Inc. was established in 1946. Its stated purpose was to plan, build and operate a live steam railroad and to foster cooperation among live steam railroaders. The club's original location was in Paoli, and in 2026 it celebrated 80 years of friendship, craftsmanship and mentoring.

How much track does Pennsylvania Live Steamers have?

The 5-acre club site has about 3,200 feet of 1.5 inch scale track on 7.25 inch gauge, about 3,000 feet of 1 inch scale track on 4.75 inch gauge, an 800-foot multi-gauge loop and a 219-foot dual-tracked Gauge 1 loop. That adds up to more than 7,000 feet of railroad.

What scales do Pennsylvania Live Steamers members run?

Members run several scales of miniature railway equipment. The most common are one-eighth scale, which runs on the 7.25 inch gauge track, one-twelfth scale on the 4.75 inch gauge track, and Gauge 1 on its own dual-tracked loop. Both steam locomotives and diesel locomotives are run under the club's separate rules for each.

Where can I see Pennsylvania Live Steamers photos?

The club's website, palivesteamers.org, has a gallery section and a club newsletter called the Gazette, both good places to see the trains and the grounds. The club also posts on its Facebook page, which has thousands of followers, including shots from meets and the turntable during the Fall Meet.

What do people say about Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

The club is best known among live steam hobbyists for its large 5-acre site, long history since 1946 and its regular meets, which draw fellow live steamers. Its Facebook page has nearly 3,800 followers. Because it is a members' club rather than a public attraction, it does not have the kind of visitor reviews a museum would.

What are the Pennsylvania Live Steamers meets?

The club hosts several multi-day meets for members and guests. In 2026 these were the Spring Meet in late May, the Fall Meet in early September and the Blowdown Meet in late October. Fellow live steamers are encouraged to attend, and dates for each season are posted on the schedule page at palivesteamers.org.

Does Pennsylvania Live Steamers hold a picnic or community day?

Yes. The annual PLS picnic in 2026 was held on July 25 starting at noon, with train rides from noon until 3 pm. The 2026 schedule also included a Perkiomen Community Day run day on May 30 for township residents. Check the club's schedule page for the current year's dates.

What is the Turkey Trot Run at Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

The Turkey Trot Run is a Thanksgiving Day tradition for the club's Gauge 1 equipment, held on November 27 in 2026. It runs on the smaller Gauge 1 loop, and the club notes that train rides are not available at this event, so it is for hobbyists rather than families looking to ride.

Is Pennsylvania Live Steamers accessible?

The club says its site has handicapped facilities for members and visitors, along with multiple unloading facilities for equipment. If you are attending as a guest and have specific mobility needs, email secretary@palivesteamers.org ahead of time to ask about getting around the grounds and boarding the riding cars.

Are the trains at Pennsylvania Live Steamers safe?

The club keeps detailed operating and safety rules. Steam locomotives must pass a boiler inspection performed at the club site, every locomotive needs brakes capable of stopping it, cars must be joined with couplers and safety chains or drawbars, and the club can declare any locomotive unsafe for service. Separate rules cover passengers and engineers.

Did Pennsylvania Live Steamers see the Big Boy locomotive?

Yes. In 2026, Union Pacific's restored Big Boy steam locomotive toured for the nation's 250th birthday, and club members photographed it at Linfield, Pennsylvania on July 2. Member Pat Murphy hosted club members at his office in Stowe to watch the run-by, a highlight of the club's 80th anniversary year.

Is Pennsylvania Live Steamers good for kids?

Kids who ride as guests often love it, since the trains are sized for people to sit on and are pulled by real live steam engines. The catch is access: there are no public run days, so families need an invitation from a member, an associate membership, or a special community date to ride.

How can I support Pennsylvania Live Steamers?

Pennsylvania Live Steamers is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3) nonprofit, so joining, volunteering on track work and run days, or making a donation all help. Contact the club secretary at secretary@palivesteamers.org or by mail at P.O. Box 26202, Collegeville, PA 19426 to ask how to get involved.

What train rides near Collegeville are open to the public?

The Colebrookdale Railroad in Boyertown is about 13 miles away and the West Chester Railroad is about 19 miles away, and both are covered on this site. The New Hope Railroad and the Reading and Northern Railroad are each roughly 28 miles from Collegeville, giving families several public options nearby.

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