Join the International Brotherhood of Live Steamers

A Letter to Live Steamers Everywhere.....

Dear Fellow Live Steamers:

First off, I was saddened to see that the Brotherhood of Live Steamers has evidently faded from the North American continent primarily because of the passing of the prior secretaries as well as the false belief that a "central contact" person in the Live Steam fraternity is no longer needed. I cannot allow this to happen. The Brotherhood is an historic body of Live Steam hobbyists that goes back to the year 1932 when it was first founded by the late Charles Purinton (Carl) in Boxford, Massachusetts in the U.S.A.

"Carl" was a good friend of mine and I owe it to him to do what I can to keep the body active in the North American Region.

My name is Ken Shattock, former IBLS secretary of the old "Pacific Coast Region" (Western Region) when I took over the position from the late Harry Dixon. Please refer to the February—1974 issue of "Live Steam Magazine" … I was the senior member of GGLS, having belonged for some forty-six years, before I let my membership lapse in 2007. I am now active with the Live Steam faction within the Puget Sound Garden Railway Society in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.

On December 1, 1979 I was given the 10th Annual Live Steam Magazine Award for my personal contributions to the development of the current IBLS Wheel Standards.

My goals with the IBLS membership will be to continue the original policies of the late "Carl" Purinton – that is, register the novice Live Steamer, provide them with a membership card for identification purposes, and assist them in whatever manner required, to get the information related to our great hobby that they are in search of.

I have been encouraged by the editor of Live Steam Magazine to take on this responsibility and carry on the good works of the late Carl Purinton. Please send me your Name, Address, Phone # and E-mail address as well as information about the scale/gauge you model in. Your official "IBLS Membership Card" will be sent by return mail. All personal information you send in remains confidential and will not be shared without permission.

I look forward to working with each and every one of you in the future !

Yours in Live Steam,


 * Kenneth V. Shattock ("Ken")
 * Secretary, North American Region, IBLS
 * E-Mail: keyrouteken@msn.com