Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers

Draft - 5 Year Growth and Operational Plan

I - OBJECTIVE OF CLUB
The Golden Horseshoe Live Steamers is a club for people with an interest in building and operating miniature live steam locomotives and large scale model railroading.

The general goals of the club are:

To share a common interest with our members and others
To promote the hobby
To educate the public, especially children, about live steam and steam locomotives
To assist each other with all aspects of the hobby
To expand our track, membership, and operations

II - GENERAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS

Establish Hamilton and the Hamilton Museum of Steam and Technology as a major model engineering and large scale model railroading facility in Eastern Canada
Grow the club membership
Develop a greater infrastructure for the 7¼" gauge track
Obtain and maintain an amusement device permit in order to provide public rides
Expand the 7¼" gauge track to include a longer and more diverse main line (tunnels, bridges and multi grades)

III - FINANCIAL PLANNING
Based on the operating plan, a capital budget will be prepared (perhaps the old 7¼" fund) for each year using funds obtained from all possible sources. Capital projects will not be undertaken unless the funds have been obtained and/or committed from the sources. Sources of funds include seeking government and foundation grants, gifts and donations-in-kind (e.g. materials or labour).

IV - SOME INFRASTRUCTURE ITEMS AND PROJECTS TO BE INCLUDED IN CAPITAL PLANNING

Proper fencing for both safety and security (priority)
Platform in appropriate spot for loading/unloading passengers to 7¼" trains (including wheelchair car and platform accesibility)
Steaming bays (7¼"), scissors lift, unloading facilities
RR type accessories (e.g. crossing lights, signals, signs, scale sheds)
Electric power source (from museum or water treatment plant)
Car barns for riding and other cars
Scale building (to add landscape interest)
Enhance landscaping (flowers, more trees, ponds, shrubs, grade changes)
Period lighting
Lunch table, umbrellas
Security considerations and alarms
Enhanced signage
Workshop for club members and museum staff
Cross over bridge from outside of tracks to inside elevated track

V - FIVE YEAR PLAN
Major objectives by year. These tasks do not include regular maintenance and improvements

2001

Secure amusement ride permits for elevated and ground level tracks
Build new traversing table for highline tracks
Explore distributing electric power to required areas
Source funding sources and submit applications
Explore sources of landscaping and RR type items
Promote club
Explore options for track expansion and make contact with parties involved
Design loading and unloading platform
Design and install fencing
Complete 7¼" unloading facilities and steaming bays
Install new switches
Complete riding cars including wheelchair car
Install new safety fencing
Complete loading/unloading platform for 7¼" track
Repaint highline rails including safety rails
Develop, approve, implement and enforce safety code for operating on public steaming days
Obtain additional picnic tables (umbrellas from sponsors?)
Build one scale building (that can be moved)

2002

Obtain appropriate commitments for expanding main line track, including enhanced landscaping to include tunnels, bridges and multi-level grades
Design expanded 7¼" gauge mainline
Design and start implementation of power distribution system
Design and build walkover bridge
Expand current 7¼" gauge track to include another siding and spurs to a car barn
Design and build car barn (security considerations)
Build one scale building
Install some RR type fixtures or items
Prepare budget for expanded mainline

2003

Complete excavating and grading for expanded 7¼" gauge mainline and begin track laying

2004

Continue track laying for expanded mainline including tunnels and bridges

2005

Complete expanded 7¼" gauge mainline including tunnels, ridges, grades and enhanced facilities
Repaint highline track and scale buildings
Start plans for 15" gauge track