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      • Pop Valve #445 – Dec 2022
      • Pop Valve #444 – Nov 2022
      • Pop Valve #443-Oct 2022
      • Pop Valve #442 – Sep 2022
      • Pop Valve #441-Aug 2022
      • Pop Valve #440 July 2022
      • Pop Valve #439 – Jun 2022
      • Pop Valve #438 – May 2022
      • Pop Valve #437 – Apr 2022
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A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE FINGER LAKES LIVE STEAMERS, INC.
compiled by Timothy B Guenther
(Research based upon meeting minutes, member recollections, and the Pop Valve)

1972
February 22

Club is Incorporated

The club is incorporated under the laws of New York State.

1971
November 1

Planning Stated for 7¼ Gauge

Planning for the 7¼ inch gauge railroad has started.

July 24

Second Annual Picnic

The second annual picnic takes place. Dave Conroy’s Atlantic is the first engine to run at the club along 170′ of point to point track that has been laid.

April 24

First Rail Laid

The first piece of rail is laid on the elevated track.

1970
November 1

Water Tank

The club purchases a 4,000 gallon cypress water tank for $25.

August 1

Pageant of Steam

FLLS exhibits at the Pageant of Steam in Canandaigua, NY.

July 1

First Railroad Is Started

The first posts are installed for an elevated track. This will become a dual gauge (3½ & 4¾) railroad primarily for ¾” & 1″ scale models to operate.

June 27

First Picnic

The first picnic is held at Marengo.

April 1

Newsletter Started

The club starts a newsletter to keep members informed and is called the Fin-Lay Pop Valve. Richard Alley is the first Editor. Work also begins at Marengo.

1969
December 6

Land Obtained For The Club

The club leases approximately 12 acres of land, just west of Marengo, NY, with an option to buy. The constitution is accepted by majority vote.

September 1

Membership on the rise

Membership is up to 70 members.

March 9

Name Changed to Finger Lakes Live Steamers

The name of the organization is changed to Finger Lakes Live Steamers to better identify the name of the club with the geographical region that it would serve. A committee starts work on a constitution and by-laws for the club.

February 1

Live Steam Magazine

A photo and announcement of the newly formed club “Genesee Valley Live Steamers” appears in Live Steam Magazine.

January 26

Inaugural meeting of the Genesee Valley Live Steamers

Charter members were:

James V. Wright Robert C. Hannum
Walter B. Packard John S. Eyster
Henry N.B. Hospers John C. MacDonald
G.B. Gary Hilton Ed Nolan
Norman E. Kistner Erwin Kistner
Sanford S. Whittum Robert V. Graham
Lloyd B. Andrus Lawrence A. Smith
Richard C. Alley Edward Van Leer

Jim Wright was elected President and John Eyster became Secretary/Treasurer. The primary goals were to search for potential new members and find a suitable location for a track.

1968
October 1

Live Steam Magazine Ad

Jim Wright was born in England and educated there as a chemical engineer. Coming to this country, he took a job with a chemical company in Philadelphia and joined the Pennsylvania Live Steamers. Changing positions again, he came to Rochester where he discovered there was no live steam club. He wrote to Live Steam Magazine requesting all Live Steamers in the greater Rochester area meet at his house. Bill Fitt, then Editor, published his request and he had a good turnout, coming not only from Rochester, but Syracuse, Pulaski, and Fulton.

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