Canton, St. Paul and Pacific Railway

About Our Organization

The Canton, St. Paul & Pacific Railway is a 1 1/2" scale live steam railroad. The phrase "live steam" refers to any scale model that operates on steam power in the same manner as the full size prototype. "Live steam" can be stationary boilers, traction engines, boats, and, in our case, railroad locomotives.

Througout the history of live steam railroading, scale steam locomotives have comprised the majority of locomotives being built by hobbyists; however, in more recent years, more enthusiasts are building scale models of modern diesel-electric locomotives. Unlike scale steam engines which operate exactly like their full size counterparts, these are usually gasoline or electrically powered.

Our railroad was built and is maintained by a handful of hard working members using mostly hand tools, picks, shovels, and steam or diesel locomotive power. The track gauge is 7 1/2" inches. While most of the live steam community builds in 1 1/2" scale there has been a growing trend over the past few decades to build narrow gauge equipment in 2 1/2" scale. This equipment, while much larger, uses the same track gauge, 7 1/2".

Live steam locomotives and rolling stock are generally built by individuals in their free time in their own machine shops. Equipment is transported to and from the railroad with pickup trucks, trailers, etc. This methodology allows live steam hobbyists to take their equipment to other live steam clubs across the country.

The greatest asset of the live steam hobby is the acquired knowledge of all its members. The sharing of this knowledge, the friendship, and community surrounding the hobby are what make it so very important, and enjoyable, to those who participate.