Fun

~Grammy on the Go~
Train Time! All Aboard for Fun
By Karen Shadrach

Most children love trains, and what could be more fun than riding a miniature train through the woods and fields? Northeast Ohio has three miniature train clubs made up of friendly people who enjoy sharing their hobby and offering free train rides to the public. Riding on the steamers is a wonderful family event. Here’s where to find them before wintry weather shuts down the tracks:

The Lakeshore Live Steamers in Kirtland is located at the Penitentiary Glen Reservation of the Lake Metroparks. Their club is 50 years strong and what began as a simple track laid out around a floral shop in the early ‘50s is now thousands of feet of track winding through the woods of Penitentiary Glen. The live steam hobby consists of modeling steam locomotives that actually run off steam.

The remaining public train ride yet this year is a Christmas run on December 5. Reservations and tickets for these events may be obtained at lakemetroparks.com. Rides are always free of charge, but donations are gratefully appreciated.

All can board these miniature trains. Riders sit atop the cars, straddling them with their legs on either side. Small children must be able to sit on a seat. Infants unable to sit by themselves can still ride, but must be held centered in front of an adult. The trains do not exceed 5 mph. The young and young at heart love to hear the sound of the train whistle,  smell the steam and enjoy the clickety-clack of the rails. 

The Northeastern Ohio Live Steamers is located on Medina County Park District land at Lester Rail Trail. Trains are 1/8 scale with a 7.5-inch track gauge model railroad. They are open for public runs October 15 from 6:30-8:30 p.m.,  

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