Best Model Railroading Podcasts (2024)

1
Joey Giunto & The Penn-Reading Industrial 1:07:14

1d ago1:07:14

1:07:14

They say that music can bring people together, and, in the case of Joey Giunto, it can also lead to meeting your model railroad mentor. On this episode of Around The Layout, Joey shares his model railroading journey and how a music gig led him to meeting a great friend and how they lifted each other up in the hobby. Joey also shares how, after his …

1
#73 - The lowly Freighthouse. Best industry you can model 33:39

16d ago33:39

33:39

In this episode, we discuss the operations of a freight house. We also discuss Cold storage and security storage facilities. Joe Binish has one of the best-run operations for working the freight house on his Central of Minnesota layout. The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. This episode is sponsor…

1
149: North Shore Railroad 37:51

6h ago37:51

37:51

Loni Martz Briner, PR and Media for North Shore Railroad, talks about the history of this group of Pennsylvania short lines and how they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Women in Short Line Railroading Mississippi Export Railroad Question of the Day What r…

1
ATLP Rewind - John Abatecola & TSG Multimedia - January 2, 2024 1:03:22

2d ago1:03:22

1:03:22

ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released January 2, 2024 After hosting myself and fellow podcasters Andy Dorsch and Tom Gasior on his TSG Live Talking Trains, it was great to have John Abatecola stop by the Around The Layout studio. John tells us about his hobby within the hobby; creating videos to share his model railroading and prototype adventu…

1
Layout Command Control 101 with Dave Barraza 50:40

8d ago50:40

50:40

Layout Command Control - it sounds cool, but what exactly is it? On this episode of ATLP, Dave Barraza tells us the basics of LCC, how the standard was developed and, most importantly, how it can help bring our layouts to life. Dave shares how he's using LCC on his layout and how it compares to the electronics used on the prototype. Learn more abou…

1
ATLP Rewind - Campbell Rice & The Tennessee Western Railway - December 12, 2023 1:05:35

9d ago1:05:35

1:05:35

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released December 12, 2023 Meet Campbell Rice, a man who has moved more times than the Raiders football team, but has carried his passion for model railroading with him along the way. Campbell takes us along on the journey through several states and multiple layout builds, leading to his recent move back to Tennessee and th…

1
What's Happening In Model Railroading - October 2024 - Tony Cook & Christopher Palomarez 54:01

15d ago54:01

54:01

Christopher Palomarez from InterMountain Railway Co joined Tony and I from somewhere along the road in Colorado to share the latest on the projects being churned out of Longmont. Chris shares some insight on the process of creating factory weathered cars with pad printing plus updates on some upcoming releases. Later, Tony and Ray discuss news out …

1
ATLP Rewind - Devin Jackson & The Mesquite Belt - November 14, 2023 1:07:54

16d ago1:07:54

1:07:54

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released November 14, 2023 One of the most memorable stops during the whirlwind week of the Texas Express 2023 NMRA National Convention was the visit to Devin Jackson & Family's Mesquite Belt, located about 2 hours south of Fort Worth in the town of Palestine. Joining me on the trip were Don Irace and Mark Herrick and on ar…

1
148: FRA Administrator Joe Szabo 1:07:06

21d ago1:07:06

1:07:06

What is involved with leading the Federal Railroad Administration? Joe Szabo, the 12th FRA Administrator, discusses how he began his career in railroading, what led him to the FRA, his philosophy with working with Class I railroads, and how he is now involved in the development of Pullman National Historical Park. This episode is sponsored by Stras…

1
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Operations on the Canada Spokane & Pacific with Drew James 1:04:23

22d ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Drew James, owner of the Canada Spokane & Pacific, made his return to the ATLP studio, picking up where he left off from last July. Drew tells us about how the operations on his layout have evolved, his efforts to keep things fresh for his group of operators and answers the question, "why is there a wye?" Learn more about this episode on our websit…

1
2024 Red River RPM Preview with Kevin Leddy 35:32

23d ago35:32

35:32

Kevin Leddy joins us to talk about the 4th Annual Red River RPM being held in Forest Hill, TX October 25-26th. Kevin tells us how this RPM started, inspired by two very popular prototype modelers meets. He also tells us what you can expect to see, including a rundown of clinics, vendors, and the free-mo modular setups. Kevin also shares his passion…

1
Episode 82: TSG Multimedia Audio Podcast October 2024 All Things Trains 1:01:36

26d ago1:01:36

1:01:36

#TSGMultimediaPodcast #HistoricPreservation #ModelRailroading #Trains #Railroads This month’s TSG Podcast includes: 0:00 Intro/Welcome 3:00 Op Session | Mystic Mountain Garden Railroad https://youtu.be/oz0nbMEa8Ts 6:42 An Update From Railtown 1897 8:42 Sierra No. 3 14:13 Layout Tour Shoot | Sierra Railroad 1955 https://youtu.be/DbW56UhagWQ 16:09 TH…

1
The Art Of The Review with Ryan Crawford 1:00:41

29d ago1:00:41

1:00:41

On this episode of Around The Layout Podcast, we talk to model railroad product reviewer and author Ryan Crawford. Ryan provides us with an inside look into his process for writing reviews, including the prototype research, evaluating details, and sharing what you need to know to make an educated purchasing decision. Ryan and Ray also chat about th…

1
NVRRA Railfair 2024 Preview 35:16

1M ago35:16

35:16

Model railroad show season is in full swing on the top half of the equator, and, in the northeast, the Nashua Valley Railroad Association's Railfair 2024 kicks things off. NVRRA members Thomas Fitzgerald and Peter D'Olimpio come by to tell us about their club, how they are building an incredibly large layout in Shirley, Massachusetts and how Railfa…

1
#72 - Evolving Operations. How have operations changed as a layout owner, or a guest operator 40:37

1M ago40:37

40:37

In this episode, we discuss evolving operations for layouts and car forwarding systems. What have we done to upgrade or detail our operations? The crew for this show is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR Our sponsor is: Scale WeatherBy Twin Cities Division NMRA

1
Ralph Heiss and the Lehigh Valley Harbor Terminal 1:00:02

1M ago1:00:02

1:00:02

On this episode of Around The Layout, we head to New Jersey and talk to Ralph Heiss, owner of the Lehigh Valley Harbor Terminal HO scale layout and frequent operator of quite a few great layouts in the Garden State. Ralph tells us how he got started in the hobby and how he was operating at great layouts by the age of 17. He also shares how he resea…

1
Iowa City Train Show Preview with Dan Reichenbach 25:49

1M ago25:49

25:49

Up on this side of the equator, the weather is cooling down and the model railroad events are heating up! Dan Riechenbach of the Hawkeye Model Railroad Club stops by the ATLP studio to tell us about the Iowa City Train Show on October 20, 2024. Dan shares a history of the club, their recent move to a new building and how the show helps support thei…

1
What's Happening In Model Railroading - September 2024 - Tony Cook & Jordan Smith 1:01:33

1M ago1:01:33

1:01:33

More and more, we find out that the folks at these fine model railroad manufactuers are hobbyists just like us, and this episode of What's Happening In Model Railroad is no exception. Jordan Smith joins Tony and Ray to tell a bit about himself, his start in the hobby and how he's worked his way up from working in a hobby shop in Toronto to wearing …

1
ATLP Rewind - Mike Armstrong & The Rock Island Mid-Continent Route - November 28, 2023 1:01:51

1M ago1:01:51

1:01:51

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released November 28, 2023 It's late November, but we're still talking about late August and the 2023 NMRA National Convention in Texas. During that week, I was fortunate enough to visit the outstanding layout of Mike Armstrong and it was a thrill to talk to him tonight about how his Rock Island Mid-Continent Route came to …

1
#71 - What changes have you experienced in the hobby? 42:05

2M ago42:05

42:05

This episode is about changes to our modeling. What has evolved and made us better modelers or operators? Think about the changes to technology in your lifetime, and the new techniques being tried to achieve better models and layouts. The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. Our show is …

1
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Freelance Railroad, Prototypical Ops with Tim Garland 57:58

2M ago57:58

57:58

We head back to Tim Garland's Seaboard Central to cover what we didn't get to when we interviewed him the first time; operations on his freelance railroad. Don and I learn quite a bit from Tim, who's experience with the real railroad has provided him with a plethora of knowledge that he uses to create realistic operations on his freelance layout. L…

1
ATLP Rewind - Matt Forcum & The Metaline Falls Railroad - October 31, 2023 1:06:37

2M ago1:06:37

1:06:37

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released October 31, 2023 Freelance model railroader and YouTuber Matt Forcum pays a virtual visit to the Around The Layout studio. Matt shares with us his model railroading journey that has includes stops in Lego and N scale on his way to HO scale and the Metaline Falls Railroad. He also tells us how he's using his MFRailr…

1
Download the September 2024 Crew Call (Vol. 5-4)With Mike Rose!

2M ago

—

Scotty Mason is back, grabbing Mike by the lapels he doesn’t have on his T-shirt, and demanding straight answers as to why it’s been so long since the last podcast. In other words, Mike had some “splainin” to do. And explain I did, talking about the latest updates on the layout, future plans, and all the whys and wherefores of the past few months. …

1
Episode 81: TSG Multimedia Podcast September 2024 All Things Trains 25:44

2M ago25:44

25:44

#TSGMultimediaPodcast #HistoricPreservation #ModelRailroading #Trains #Railroads This month’s TSG Podcast includes: 0:00 Intro/Welcome 0:57 Patreon Anniversary https://www.patreon.com/TSGMultimedia 2:01 SBHRS 10:23 Talking Trains With Lucas Woodward https://youtube.com/live/Gcb54rbVhpQ?feature=share 10:54 Layout Tour Shoot | John Petrovitz 11:49 La…

1
Chris Gilbert & The Brownville & Ashland 54:17

2M ago54:17

54:17

We've seen many prototypical railroads bought and sold over the years, but how about a freelance model railroad changing hands? That's how current owner of the Brownville & Ashland, Chris Gilbert, took ownership of this Maine based short line. Oh, did I mention he's also in the United Kingdom? Chris tells us how this transaction went down, how he m…

1
ATLP Rewind - John Parker and the BNSF Fall River Division - October 24, 2023 1:04:09

2M ago1:04:09

1:04:09

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released October 24, 2023 Coming to us from northern Colorado - seemingly a hotbed of model railroading, is the creator of the BNSF Fall River Division, John Parker. John shares his model railroading story with us, from humble 4x8 beginnings to the beautiful empire he has today. We learn that he's had a lot of help along th…

1
Mississippi Export Railroad 56:31

2M ago56:31

56:31

What is it like to be at the helm of a railroad that has remained independent for over 100 years? Mississippi Export Railroad President Kate Bourgeois talks about the history of the railroad and how they invest in their company and community. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Western New York & P…

1
#70 - Prototype Overhype? 36:25

2M ago36:25

36:25

Do models have to be exact replicas for you to enjoy them? Are the manufacturers being pushed too far into the museum quality construction? Our panel discusses the effect of prototype modeling on our layouts. The crew of this episode includes Ken Borowski MMR, Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, and Thomas W Gasior MMR. Our sponsor is the YouTube chan…

1
The Theatrical Approach To Model Railroading with Scott Thornton 1:00:29

2M ago1:00:29

1:00:29

What if we looked at our layouts like they were the stage of a grand performance? On this episode, the talented and thought provoking Scott Thornton comes by to share his passion for taking elements of the theatre and applying it to his model railroad. Scott shares how he uses similar approaches as they do on the stage with lighting, sound and prop…

1
ATLP Rewind - Mike Landis & The MKT Sedalia Subdivision - September 26, 2023 56:32

2M ago56:32

56:32

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released September 26, 2023 Mike Landis has taken his childhood experience with the MKT Sedalia Subdivision and turned it into a passion that has led not only to writing the book Show Me Katy, but also an HO scale layout paying tribute to the railroad in the 1980's. Mike tells us about choosing the portion of the line that …

1
What's Happening In Model Railroading - August 2024 - Tony Cook & Kevin Tully 58:51

2M ago58:51

58:51

The number of deep dive avenues that are available in the model railroading hobby is astounding, and Kevin Tully from TullyModels.com shares his path to 3D printing grain and steel mill super detailing parts. We learn how Kevin got started on this journey and how he can help you make your industries more realistic. Later, Tony and Ray discuss new r…

1
ATLP Rewind - Alan Saatkamp & The Chippewa River Divisions - September 5, 2023 58:33

2M ago58:33

58:33

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released September 5, 2023 It's never too late to build your dream layout. Alan Saatkamp is a testament to this, as he, at age 70, is building the railroad he's always wanted, taking the experience of multiple layout builds and moves around the country to his new home in Normal, Illinois. Alan shares those experiences, from…

1
#69 - That 70's Model Railroad Show 38:43

3M ago38:43

38:43

This episode is a discussion about modeling the 1970s era. What was good about it, plus how we conveyed to our visitors that the layout is set in the 1970s. The era before the mega-mergers and the caboose and boxcars could still be found in every train. David Hamilton MMR models the CB&Q/BN mainline between the Twin Cities and Galesburg during the …

1
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Prototypical Operations - Dustin Whitten 57:27

3M ago57:27

57:27

How can we take prototypical railroad rules and regulations and apply them to our layouts? That's what professional railroader Dustin Whitten is here to answer as he talks about taking pages from the railroad rulebook and using them to better the simulation of your model railroad. Dustin shares how these rules can be modified in compression with ex…

1
ATLP Rewind - Paul August & The C&NW Mondovi Line - August 22, 2023 1:00:16

3M ago1:00:16

1:00:16

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released August 22, 2023 On this episode of Around The Layout, we get to know Paul August, owner of the C&NW Mondovi Line and the YouTube channel that covers it. Paul tells us about his family's roots in railroading and how that led to multiple generations of model railroaders including a father with a passion for brass ste…

1
Michael Ostertag & The Farlin Terminal II 59:27

3M ago59:27

59:27

After spending quality time with Michael Ostertag out in St. Louis, it was time to get him back on the show and hear about the major changes he's made on the Farlin Terminal. He's still committed to S scale, but has completely removed the first version and is taking a new, open ended approach to the next layout. Mike also shares the challenges of S…

1
2024 Colorado Rail Proto Meet with Michelle Kempema 42:36

3M ago42:36

42:36

How can you not smile in the presence of Michelle Kempema? Her enthusiasm is infectious and her motivation nears limitless as she joins me to talk about the brand new Colorado Rail Proto Meet in Greeley, CO this September. Michelle shares with us how this idea came to be and how she's planning what will likely become another amazing destination RPM…

1
Episode 80: TSG Multimedia Podcast August 2024 All Things Trains 1:02:21

3M ago1:02:21

1:02:21

#TSGMultimediaPodcast #HistoricPreservation #ModelRailroading #Trains #Railroads This month’s TSG Podcast includes: 0:51 Intro/Welcome 1:41 Layout Tour Shoot - Just Trains Concord 4:47 A Visitor From Australia 5:36 Jim Dias’s Western Pacific 1938 Layout https://youtu.be/dqzjjjx_Pys?si=98l0sscnx9ZD-qWz 7:13 Jack Burgess’s Yosemite Valley Railroad 19…

1
#68 - Handling criticism. Trolls and out of pocket comments 34:05

3M ago34:05

34:05

Internet anonymity has encouraged trolls to make snide comments about people's modeling. How can we handle that issue? Also, how can we process advice from our crew? Does the source of the suggestions matter? Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss this issue. Sponsoring this episode is the infamous saying: Two out of three ain't bad!…

1
Car Routing: The Road To Realism with Matthew Freix 1:05:28

3M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

Matthew Freix has a passion for car routing, and that might be an understatement! Matt shares the lengths he has gone to research the Gateway Western and how it helped him build a highly accurate simulation of the railroad in 1995. Matt shares how going way down the rabbit hole has made his model railroad more enjoyable and appear like he remembers…

1
Survey Results and Changes to ATLP - Live Special from July 29, 2024 31:51

3M ago31:51

31:51

Here's the audio from last night's live event where Ray talks about the results of the ATLP Listener Survey and how that has helped shape upcoming format changes to the podcast. For more about Around The Layout Podcast, visit our website: aroundthelayout.comBy Ray Arnott

1
ATLP Rewind - Andy Dorsch & The Mascoutin Valley - May 9, 2023 1:07:50

3M ago1:07:50

1:07:50

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released May 9. 2023 We all know Andy Dorsch as the co-host of the wildly popular Second Section Podcast, but how much do you know about Andy the modeler? We find out in this episode of Around The Layout as Andy takes us back to his childhood railfanning the Chicago and North Western that planted the railroad seed, then on …

1
146: Museum of the American Railroad 53:39

3M ago53:39

53:39

Bob LaPrelle, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Railroad, talks about moving their massive collection of locomotives from Dallas to Frisco, restoration of a rare ALCO PA-1, and the goals for their capital campaign. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Artwork by John Winfield. Related Episodes Californ…

1
Don Irace & The Providence & Worcester III 1:16:17

3M ago1:16:17

1:16:17

Don Irace is back in the Around The Layout studio to tell us more about how he developed his operating scheme for his Providence & Worcester layout. Don shares how he took the large operations held at the original layout in Scituate, Rhode Island for a multitude of operators and compressed it for a smaller crew while still providing fun and challen…

1
ATLP Rewind - Joe Atkinson & The IAIS 4th Sub - June 27, 2023 1:06:23

3M ago1:06:23

1:06:23

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released June 27, 2023 After all of the past interrogations and information from informants, we've finally captured the Iowa Interstate Godfather; none other than Joe Atkinson himself. Now that we've beat the dead horse with this mafia thing, we can get down to the business of learning how Joe became such an authority on th…

1
#67 - Choose your own story. The future of operations. 40:37

4M ago40:37

40:37

In this episode, we discuss options for operations that go beyond CC&WB/Switchlists. Adding some nuance once in a while could be a great addition to any session. The crew in this episode are Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.By Twin Cities Division NMRA

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