a limited re-run of the Duchess Class to be released March 2012

 now taking reservations

call or email for details  - click for specifications

Way down yonder - just north of New Orleans - is a land of steamy scenes.

The crown jewel of the small scale live steamups, Diamondhead, Mississippi is the destination to boil water and refresh our shared enthusiasm for steam machines. 

Click for Challenger details

See for yourself Aster's forthcoming UP Challenger

under steam at Diamondhead 2012

in Andrew Finegan's YouTube video.

Photo Gallery No. 48 now under construction.

featuring photos by Gary Herring, Carol and Peter Jobush,

Rick Parker, Jim Pitts, Melinda and John Tribe.

Diamondhead 2012 International Live Steam Up

Aster's Class B 28 Ton Shay - 2011 Production

Click for details

Great Northern “S2” 4-8-4

 No. 2584 - Glacier Park Green

Click for Details

Locomotive # 6020 pinstriped

Click for details

Click for YouTube Video

Castle Class 4-6-0

Krauss Tank / IYO Railway 0-4-0

with passenger coaches

SouthernSteamTrains.com is a virtual showcase presenting:

 

Inspiration to thousands of visitors each month.  Small scale live steam enthusiasts and seekers from more than 100 countries have been our guest.  With hundreds of pages of information, SouthernSteamTrains.com has become one of the premier Gauge 1 web sites.  While devoted to serving our customers in North America, Southern Steam Trains LLC is pleased to provide this informative and inspirational resource to live steamers throughout the world.  Thank you for visiting.  We welcome your comments.

 

Information on Aster locomotives currently in stock, in production, as well as a complete roster of all Gauge 1 "live steam" engines produced by Aster Hobby since 1975.  Over the past thirty years, Aster has produced seventy plus examples with a total of over thirty-five thousand small-scale live steam locomotives. The roster links to photographs, descriptions and technical specifications on all Aster live steam locomotives.  

 

Inventory of the Southern Steam Trains' collection featuring only Aster Gauge 1 locomotives.  Unique among live steam dealers, we stock, sell and support exclusively Aster products.  Please call to confirm immediate availability and to receive "our best price."

 

A comprehensive reference section with excerpts from the Aster Manual, advice for the beginning small scale live steamer from Kevin O'Connor's Notes from the Unit Shop, plus articles, reviews and tuning tips by Barry Applegate, Steve Baker, Joe Betsko, Geoff Calver, Richard Finlayson, Howard Freed, John Garrett, Fred Gandolfi, Jim Gabelich, Yves Guillaume, Elk Hartmann, Hans Huwyler, Jason Musheno, Dick Moger, Rick Parker, Jim Pitts, Andrew Pullen, Jerry Reshew, John van Riemsdijk, Chip Rosenblum, Jeff Runge, Ross Schlabach, John Shawe, Larry Shimp, Geoff Spenceley, Dave Stick, John Tribe, Harry Wade, Nick Wantiez, Sonny Wizelman and Robert Youngjohns.

 

A portfolio of over 2000 original photographs of small-scale live steam locomotives. Yes, most of the photographs are of Aster Gauge 1 locomotives!  Plus hundreds of UK Prototype locomotive photos by Adrian Brodie. 

 

Links offering a portal to a wide array of model and prototype rail related web sites.  

 

During the past three decades, Aster Gauge 1 locomotives have become the standard of quality for discriminating collectors and operators.  Expertly fabricated in metal with copper boilers, they represent excellence in design, engineering and performance. 

Aster locomotives offer a truly inspirational hobby that captures the imagination.  They recreate in miniature the mechanical wonder of magnificent steam locomotives and the nostalgia of a vanishing vista.  Click to read a reflection on the age of steam. 

Aster Steam Models come Factory BUILT ready to display and operate or in KIT form.  Kits come with step by step instructions as well as corresponding 3D isometric engineering drawings for ease of assembly.   Assembling an Aster locomotive is not difficult but does represent a challenge.  Click on blue hyper links above for illustrations and further information.

We invite you to explore the realistic, working models by Aster that feature fantastic excitement and historical perspective.  Aster's attraction and destination is an incredible journey filled with sights and sounds.  Many enjoy the fulfillment of building, operating, or simply viewing these magnificent models.  

Aster locomotives are engineered for those who are fascinated with the tried and true technology of live steam.  They bring back the days when steam reigned supreme!   When you are ready for live steam, remember Aster represents the world's finest Gauge 1 steam locomotives.   Southern Steam Trains LLC is honored to partner with Aster Hobby in keeping steam alive!