IBLS Journal 1950

GGLS Redwood Track
After two long years of construction, the Gold Spike was driven on September 2, 1950 at the new Golden Gate Live Steamers track at Redwood Regional Park. The track was approximately 1330 feet in length and had four rails for accommodating 2 ½, 3 ½ and 4 ¾ inch gauge locomotives and rolling stock.

In 1950, the club officers for the GGLS were Vic Shattock, President; Tim Reardon, Vice-President and Harry L. Dixon, Secretary. Harry Dixon was the person that secured the production of rail for the new club track. As he was the Secretary, he corresponded with many visitors, guests of the club and especially, other Live Steamers from around the North American continent. One day, Harry started to correspond with "Carl" Purinton in Massachusetts on a fairly regular basis and they became very good friends that lasted for many years. Carl told Harry about the BLS concept and the "mandate" that LBSC had inflicted upon him. He told Harry that the amount of correspondence was really increasing and he asked if Harry would be able to take over his duties for the Western part of the country. Harry readily agreed and right then became the new BLS secretary for the "Pacific Coast Region", a post he held until early 1973.

During Harry's reign, there were live steamers corresponding with him from various Western states and just not those on the Pacific Coast. So, the name of Harry's region of responsibility was changed to the "Western Region"-BLS.

BLS Meet at Danvers
From Jim Leggett, 23 December 2010:


 * Tonight I was going through some of the 8 X 10s looking for a particular loco that Keith Wood and I have been restoring (that's another story) and I came across this photo of my Dad at the 1950 BLS Meet. There's Al Milburn's beautiful Atlantic and a nice Hudson under construction by C.W. Chase of Rochester, NY, with what looks like a working feedwater heater. But look up on the wall!! A water-colour painting of the Danvers track!