Small scale live steam locomotives alone are enough to absorb a lifetime of free time and enthusiasm. But for many of us the tie to this extraordinary pastime is the extraordinary people engaged in it. The Pacific Coast Live Steamers represents an extremely loosely associated group of people interested in operating live steam locomotives and enjoying each other's company.

Goals for PCLS aren't written down anywhere, and nobody is in charge. PCLS grew out of the original Bay Area Garden Railway Society Live Steamers (many of us are members) and also out of new friendships resulting from the National Spring Steamup. Over time it became unwieldy on many fronts to continue our loose goal of a monthly steamup through the auspices of the BAGRS Live Steamers. The name was changed, the email list updated, the snail mail list distilled, and monthly steamups proceeded on. (If you want to receive notice of upcoming steamups send email to pcls@steamup.com.)

Truthfully, the moniker "Pacific Coast" is a bit assuming. So far there is good communication among the Northern and Southern California crowds, with sporadic but valued communication up through the Northwest and Canada. "Pacific Coast" is also inaccurate in that we have active participants on a monthly basis as far inland as Northern and Southern Nevada.

PCLS steamups are a fun mix of live steam and friendly, interesting people. I know of several similar groups across the US and they seem to enjoy the informal gatherings as much as we do. We are lucky to have active live steamers with some of the world's best live steam railroads. Gary Broeder's railroad in Morgan Creek is stunning in terms of the scenery and varied operating possibilities. Kevin O'Connor's park-like railroad in Sacramento is the perfect setting for a day of convivial live steam. Jim McDavid's railroad in Fremont has been a regular venue for us and provides a great railroad for operating and socializing. Dan Liebowitz's railroad is fairly new in the scheme of things and includes a huge steel span bridge, turntable, and large steamup area. Charley Lix's railroad needs no introduction, and twice annually (for the most part) we've regauged our equipment and added some wear and tear to those thin steel rails. Clark Lord hosted a steamup in Las Vegas and drew a large contingent from the North as well as member emeriti from Utah and elsewhere. It should be noted that the core PCLS members in the Bay Area are the ones that bring you the National Spring Steamup each year. I provide the organizational basics (project funding and a good database!) but PCLS members are the ones that haul in the tracks, set up the event, and manage many of the daily aspects of the Steamup. We are blessed with a plethora of great live steam venues, and smart enough to take advantage of it!

What does the future hold for the Pacific Coast Live Steamers? Who knows! Nobody is in charge, the only goal seems to be a monthly steamup, and attendees at the monthly events don't seem to do much complaining so maybe the recipe is just right. Either way the PCLS represents the best that live steam has to offer: an open invitation to join fellow live steamers for the enjoyment of live steam railroading and rewarding interaction with friends.