The Roundhouse

  Lake State Railroad CMO Roger Fuehring provides clarity on the EPA’s regulations concerning diesel locomotives and how they affect tourist railroads and museums. Related Episodes Puffing Billy Railway – Sustainability and Success Marketing in Rail Preservation Question of the Day What are topics that you would like me to cover on the podcast? Let me know and I will respond to your co...

Why were canal boats being hauled by train over mountains? Park Ranger Elizabeth Shope provides an overview of the Allegheny Portage Railroad of Pennsylvania, its role in westward expansion, and how the National Park Service has worked to preserve what remains. Related Episodes Steamtown National Historic Site California State Railroad Museum Question of the Day What is an underrated technological...

We interview Alexandra Kitty, author of “A Different Track: Hospital Trains of the Second World War”, about the forgotten history of hospital trains, their role in WWII, and the healthcare workers who staffed them. This episode is sponsored by the Mechanical Services department of the Strasburg Rail Road. Related Episodes The Great Train Robbery WWII Train Reenactment Question of the D...

Mark Rheaume, composer of “ That’s the Way the Railroad Went ” discusses how he created a 38 minute piece of music incorporating interviews documenting the Central Iowa Railway Company, a short line with a brief existence in the 1970s. Related Episodes New Age Album Created on an Amtrak Trip Luke Pickman: Interpreting the Music of Thomas & Friends Question of the Day What is...

Well Stocked Shelves by Angela Trotta Thomas. Used with permission. What is it like to paint official portraits of Lionel Trains? We are talking to Angela Trotta Thomas about her Lionel and real railroad paintings, her process of creating a scene, how she infuses her work with nostalgia, and her advice for getting into painting. See more of Angela’s paintings . Related Episodes Railroad Phot...

How did the idea for the 2023 excursions in Central Virginia come about? What logistics are required to put excursions together? Is converting Norfolk & Western 611 to oil burning being discussed? How can you become involved in future excursions? Zac McGinnis, Excursion Manager for the Virginia Museum of Transportation, answers these questions and more. Related Episodes Norfolk & Western 6...

National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) President Gordy Robinson and Social Media Manager Lucy Dormont join us for a full conversation about the challenges facing the organization and the work they are involved with to bring it into the future. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services  and  Rail and Road Auctions . Visit the official NMRA website to learn more. Rela...

Learn about the preservation work that Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum is involved with, the opportunities and challenges of being based in central Portland, and how they use events to maximize their community outreach. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services  and  Rail and Road Auctions . Learn more about Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum from their websi...

Rob Gardner, President of American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, provides updates on the restoration of Reading Railroad T-1 2100 and what is planned for the future. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services  and  Rail and Road Auctions . Related Episodes Reading 2100 Restoration Launch Cass Scenic Railroad Question of the Day What steam locomotive restoratio...

The Puffing Billy Railway is a world famous tourist railway near Melbourne, Australia. CEO Peter Abbott speaks with us about the importance of the people connected to it (staff, volunteers, and community), how the railway works to overcome challenges, and what it means to operate it sustainably. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services  and  Rail and Road Auctions . Re...

The Yosemite Valley Railroad was a connection between the Southern Pacific and Yosemite National Park that brought tourists in by the thousands, and it also hauled a considerable amount of freight. Jack Burgess is dedicated to understanding the history and operations of the railroad, and has even interviewed past employees. He shares the history of this railroad with us, along with answering the q...

IMAX film director Stephen Low talks about the process of making Train Time, a documentary looking at the operations of BNSF Railway. He shares how this project was different from Rocky Mountain Express, the methods used to capture some of the amazing shots in the film, and the challenges that were unique to this project. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services  and ...

The Flour by Rail Project is a unique effort to present Buffalo NY’s industrial history in conjunction with its railroads. Charlie Monte Verde, VP of Genesee Valley Transportation and Luke Irvine, Director of the Buffalo USA Foundation, talk about this project’s history, accomplishments so far, and their ultimate goals for the site. Charlie also gives us a sneak peak at what to expect...

How can you market your tourist railroad, museum, or non-profit organization more effectively? Eric Mencis, Operations Manager for Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Joey Bryan, Communications Manager for Nashville Steam Preservation Society, and Hal Raven, Owner of the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway, discuss their approaches to marketing and advertising their businesses and organizations. W...

Do you have questions regarding how to get volunteers into rail preservation? Where to find them? How to make them feel like part of a team? Our panel consisting of Wiscasset Waterville and Farmington Railway Trainmaster Ed Lecuyer, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Volunteer Coordinator Christopher Homco, and Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Volunteer Coordinator Kristen Fredriksen answers your q...

Cass Scenic Railroad is a gem of a tourist railroad in West Virginia. Director of Communications Walter Scriptunas II talks about the history of the line, how they keep their steam logging locomotives operational, and what the future holds with their rebuilt rail connection between Durbin and Cass. Cover photo by Walter Scriptunas II. More podcast episodes: https://theroundhousepodcast.com Thank y...

Do you remember watching Pentrex? The company produced many hour-long videos showcasing different railroads around the continent. One consistent and crucial element of these was the narrator who would describe the history and scenes unfolding. Dave Drui is that narrator, and he talks with us about how he became involved with these productions and why they have made him appreciate trains and railro...

At 102 years old, Art Ellis shares many memories from living in Pittsburgh, riding trolleys, working for Pittsburgh Railways, and helping to found the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Related Episodes The Scrapper who Saved Steam Railroad Photographers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg Question of the Day What’s your favorite piece of trolley or interurban history? Let me know and I will respond to...

We’re continuing to trade spaces with the California State Railroad Museum. Coordinator of Exhibits and Interpretive Programs Kim Whitfield shares some highlights of their impressive collection, how they are embracing digital tools to showcase it, and the significance of storytelling in railroad history. Related Episodes Railroad Photographers Beebe & Clegg Railroads Online Question of t...

Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad is returning to operation. Western Forest Industries Museum Executive Director Bethan Maher shares her vision of reopening the railroad, how it can represent the history of the Pacific Northwest, and why it’s important to so many people. Learn more about the relaunch on their new website . Related Episodes Saving the Last Logging Railroad Simpson Lumber Co. Ques...

We are “trading spaces” with the California State Railroad Museum’s “The Roundhouse Crosstalk Podcast” by featuring their episode on noted railroad photographers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg. Tony Reevy, author of “The Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg,” discusses their impact on railroad photography and publishing and how they manag...

How does one use railroading in meaningful ways to make people happy and strengthen communities? Ken Marty, President of West Coast Railroaders Group, discusses how his company uses speeder cars for everything from fire suppression to partnering with the Make a Wish Foundation to provide children with unforgettable experiences. Related Episodes Port Jervis Transportation History Center God’s...

The Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train is a premiere dining experience in New Hampshire. Owners Ali and Michael French are here to describe the experience of dining on rails, explain how they prepare meals on the train itself, and share why they enjoy being in the business. You can learn more about the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train here . Related Episodes Private Car Owner Bob Lowe American Association of...

Background photo by Argo Flight. Port Jervis NY will soon be home to the Port Jervis Transportation History Center. Carolyn Hoffman, President of Operation Toy Train, discusses this new site, what it means for rail preservation in the region, and what you can expect to see at their upcoming launch event! To learn more about the Port Jervis Transportation History Center, visit their website ! Relat...

What does it take to create an entire musical album on a train? Musician and composer Cheryl B. Engelhardt created her latest album “The Passenger” on a cross-country Amtrak adventure and shares her process with us. Learn more about Cheryl and her music here. Related Episodes Wick Moorman – Amtrak CEO Amtrak and its Heritage Question of the Day What music do you associate with a...