The Illawarra Live Steamers (ILS) started as a collection of model steam train enthusiasts who banded together to form a club to promote model engineering in general and the construction and operation of live steam locomotives, road vehicles and plant in the early 1960’s. The first official meeting of the club was in April 1965 and a raised-level track was constructed nearby at the West Wollongong Workers Bowling Club in Phillip Street, West Wollongong.

In the late 1970’s the club moved locations to its current site in Stuart Park, North Wollongong with operations commencing in 1980. Over the 60 years since forming, with a lot of work the club has grown into what it is today with 1.5km ground-level 5”-gauge railway set through winding through the bush and over wetlands, as well as a 250m elevated 5”, 3½” and 2½” oval track. The club also has a Gauge 1 (45mm) dual mainline track in the centre of the grounds.

The 60th Anniversary celebrations held over the weekend of the 16th and 17th of March 2024 were a chance for ILS members and our friends from other clubs to get together, reminisce on good times and run trains around the track. A short ceremony was held to recognise the milestone and the achievements of all members both past and present. The ILS is a popular track with visitors from within NSW and as well as interstate and even internationally, and we take great pride in sharing the facilities with others who always have a fantastic time.

The ever-popular Hot Pot Run is our annual premier event held over the King’s Birthday Weekend in June, with the 30th anniversary of the Hot Pot Run occurring in 2024. This is a weekend of steam, scale trains, comradery, and endless cups of hot soup for members of ILS and AALS affiliated visitors alike to get together and have a run and a chat in celebration. Unfortunately, this event is not open to the general public.  

We are always open to like-minded people that are interested in steam and model engineering to join our club. The hobby is much more than just providing train rides to the community, with lifelong friendships being made and travel to various clubs across the country making for a very enjoyable hobby that keeps you thinking and active. Members' interests vary from steam and diesel trains to railways, signalling, model planes, stationary engines, internal combustion engines, model boats and even gardening and general grounds care.

No special skills are required and people as young as 14 can become junior members so if you are at all interested, please get in contact at [email protected] or search for “Illawarra Live Steamers” on Facebook or drop into our grounds in Virginia Street, Wollongong on the 4th Sunday of the month for our Public running Day and get in touch with one of our members.

“I’ve been a member of model railways since I was 14 years old and a member of the ILS for over 10 years now. It’s a great hobby if you are interested in steam or railways and enjoy tinkering and building things. There’s heaps of support and other people to talk to, learn from and share with.”

“The locomotives are roughly 1/12th scale models of their full-size counterparts. Lots of time is spent researching and building all the parts required to construct an engine, with some highly detailed models taking as long as 20 years plus to build. The steam locos work just the same as the real ones, with a coal fire and water to create the steam pressure, they are surprisingly powerful for their size and a challenge to drive.”

“Lots of work goes into maintaining the ILS grounds and the track. But the work is balanced with plenty of tea breaks, lots of talking and fun using the track with our engines.”