Waushakum Live Steamers - Holliston, MA - Miniature Railroads on Waymarking.com

In Holliston, in an isolated section west of the center of town, is the Waushakum Live Steamers. Waushakum Live Steamers is a private club that has public running days roughly once a month from April to October each year.

Getting there is a challenge. The web site has the location pinned on a mapping applciation. The easiest way to get there is from I-495, take the exit for Mass. Route 109. Go west on MA Rte 109 to the intersection with MA Route 16. Take a right and go north on MA Route 16 to the intersection of Marshall Street/South Street. Take a left onto Marshall Street and follow to the intersection with Gorwin Drive. Take a right onto Gorwin Drive then to Karen Circle, then Arthur Court to the driveway. Follow the driveway (unless directed otherwise) to the end to the grass parking lot.

From the parking lot you can see the layout and other areas. Back toward the driveway, if open, is there is the burger area/picnic area. To the left is the clubhouse. To the right is restroom facilities (fairly basic). The loading area is a canopy with a long bench under it.

There are two sets of tracks, each for different gauges. The one at the loading platform is 7 1/4" (Seven-and-a-quarter-inch) gauge, and is the one where the public is generally allowed to ride. The other gauge is 3 1/2" and 4 3/4", which is on piers and is a little trickier to ride since you have to ride 'side-saddle' on a car. Both lines intertwine and there are opportunities where the 3 1/2 - 4 3/4 inch train may pass over the 7 1/4" train via two bridges. The 3-1/2? & 4-3/4? high line is 1700 feet around, while the 7-1/4? ground line is 3500 feet around. Each loop goes through mixed tree woods. The ground line goes through a tunnel (twice), a bridge, by a depot (twice), and other scenic objects. The terrain is varied, so you can't easily see ahead where you are going.

In addition, there is a pneumatic turntable to load/unload equipment, and 16 raised bays to work on them. Club members also have a couple storage areas.

The type of equipment that you can see varies from the traditional live steam locomotives to more modern 'diesel' engines (the shell is a diesel engine while the engine is usually a gas engine) to the silent battery powered engines. You might sit in a seat on a car or cross-legged on a flat car.

The club had its start in 1955. It was first located in Ashland, in the back yard of a member. The second location was at another home in Norfolk, MA. The club's present location was purchased in 1996. The first run was made on January 1, 1998 on the high line. The ground line was built later, though there is no information on the web site when it was built.

Note: I have known about this for many years, and have hesitated to post due to the fact that this is not open regularly like a zoo ride. So, please look at the web site for open dates before planning a visit. If you can't make it on one of the regular days, please contact someone via the club web site - they are very accommodateing and they may be able to arrange a 'special' visit. But, do not attempt an unescorted visit.

Gauge of railway: 7 1/4", 3 1/2", and 4 3/4" Engine Type: Several Engine Types on Site Miniature Railroads Web Page: [Web Link] Public Availability: Advertised Events Only Ride Fee: No If Yes: 0 Entrance Fee: No If There is an Additional Fee: Donations are gratefully accepted and jars are placed at the loading area.

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