Steam & Excursion > Autumn Steam in Missouri

Late September is a busy time on the 15 inch-gauge Arborway, TT & Northwestern Railroad near Steelville, Missouri. The largest, privately-owned "Grand Scales" railroad in North America hosts the annual "Friends of the Railroad" weekend, plus a Boy Scout railroading weekend, and this year, visiting guests from the AAPRCO Convention in St. Louis, and an on-site wedding added to early autumn action.

1. ATT&NW's 4-8-4 #801 drifts downgrade after exiting the 808-foot Ozark Mountain Tunnel on the railway's Meramec River Subdivision during Boy Scout Weekend September 19-20. 133 St. Louis-area scouts and their leaders did a two-night campout at Woodsvalley Farm and many of the scouts completed their requirements for Railroading merit badge.

2. 801 simmers at Meramec Loop station while scouts conduct a camp fire a few hundred yards away on the shores of the Meramec River. 

3. ATT&NW is a private railroad on a family farm, but guests are welcome during "Friends Weekend" and the railroad particularly welcomes other operators of 15" gauge railroad equipment, particularly steam locomotives. On September 26, this Cagney 4-4-0 from Eden Springs Park near Benton Harbor, Michigan, made a return visit to the railroad and ran all day and much of the next hauling visitors on the ATT&NW's Inner Loop Subdivision. This locomotive was originally built for the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis and has been beautifully restored, including a new "S" stamp boiler. Visiting steam locomotives are required to have an "S" stamp boiler and meet stringent wheel and flange requirements of ATT&NW.

For more information on this unique railroad, see http://www.arborwayrailroad.com

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With almost four miles of main line, two tunnels and a working ABS signal system, "Friends Weekend" on the ATT&NW is not all about running trains. Two work days earlier in the week gave ATT&NW track crews and signal specialists a chance to accomplish many of the mundane maintenance chores that are necessary whether your railroad's gauge is 15 or 56-1/2 inches. On days like this, crews work under mainline railroad rules of safety, including work limits, Form B restrictions, etc. The railroad's impressive ABS signal system uses relays and microprocessors donated or purchased from main line railroads. 

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That is so cool.   Looks like a really neat way to satisfy the need for living the railroad life, without giving your life to the railroad.     Great pictures.  

off the hook

Sorry to dig up an old post.
Looks like the new owners of the property that the Arborway TT & Northwestern 15” gauge RR sits on in Steelville, MO are selling everything

From their Facebook page

Official Announcement

The assets of the Arborway TT & North Western Railroad are for sale. 5 miles of 12# rail, switches, signals, 15" Gauge 4-8-4 Northern Steam Locomotive, 4-diesel and 1 electric locomotive, 30 pieces of rolling stock, electric trolley, speeder, MOW equipment, parts, & supplies. This is a rare opportunity to purchase a unique miniature railroad. The railroad right now if being offered as complete for one price Please do not contact us regarding sale of individual pieces at this time. Serious inquiries can call the numbers listed below for more information. Offers must be received by February 15, 2021.

Steve 314-560-7603
Darrell 608-219-0052
Alex 920-602-5604

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/19/21 17:08 by Spoony81.