IBLS Journal 1938

On September 18, 1938, the Brotherhood's annual meets began being held at the brand new New England Live Steamers track at Danvers, Mass.

The track was 620-feet in length and was constructed in less than a month on property owned by Lester Danforth Friend assisted by several Live Steam "brothers", which included 'Carl" Purinton and his 16-year old son, Charles S. Purinton (Charlie) . Despite the absolute worst kind of New England weather (known as an "Easterly spell") the activities continued. However, there was trouble, the alternating drizzling and pouring rain kept the rails too wet for good traction. The track could accommodate both 2 ½ and 3 ½ gauge locomotives and rolling stock.

A large turntable, with its stalls, and an ample service track adjoined the loop, with which the latter connected by an ingenious transfer table device.

Despite a driving rain, the first engine to run that historic day was "Carl" Purinton's 4-4-4 tank engine, followed by a ¾" scale Timken "four aces" 4-8-4 built by Fred Jerome of Toronto.

When lunch was served to all of the day's participants, the members and visitors had a chance to see some of the models and chassis under construction, which were all exhibited under cover.

The work that was done by those early day live steamers on those little engines was deserving of the respect by anyone who admires fine machine work.

Speaking of "lunch"--- the main entrée for the day's historic event was Mrs. "Carl" Purinton's memorable fish chowder which she was well known for. "Carl" said it was officially known as "Marblehead Chowder". Evidently, as always, it was the hit of the day !

The meet at Danvers was the sixth Annual Live Steamers meet of which many were to follow in the ensuing years, during the course of the BLS existence.