Model Rail Radio

Tom posts a quick audio update about voting in the Bertie Awards and also a new layout design contest.

Mike Slater hosts a sometimes heated off-show chat. There's some model railroading content including discussions on the order of scenery and the best stuff for water. Topics also include classic cars, adventures on motorcycles and where John Hunter lives.

Tom and Terry start the show chatting with Tim Shenton about his winning layout for the John Hunter Layout design contest. The Prof and Peter Stempel add some analysis on Tim's design. Tom winds the Prof up and leaves him running old-school analog-style. Greg Shadle calls in to introduce his interest in steel mills and how he is building a steel mill modular layout. Terry talks about a new discove...

Back by popular demand (actually I just left the recorder running), the usual postal crew gather with Dan Pickard to discuss the finer points of bush boxes, the phenomenon of selling layouts on, the difficulties of dating in southern Utah and a wide variety of other topics. I censored a lot of smack talk from this post show. Also Peter gave out his street address repeatedly to Lionel. Sometimes at...

Tom starts the call chatting with Andrew Chisholm about his experiences having an operating session. Roger talks about his brother's layout and some of the techniques Roger will be featuring in some upcoming clinics. Chris Abbott returns to talk about the other Christmas trains show and an upcoming War Department garden layout. Spanky and the Prof joins the crew to discuss Model Railroader magazin...

Tom kicks the show off talking about the John Hunter layout design contest and the return of the Berties. Mike Slater talks about a service center he maintains to work on his trains. Clark and Mike are going to Trainfest. Longtime friend of the show, Mike King, calls in to discuss his layout and Jim Lincoln's role in the layout. Tom may not be able to make Springfield. Clark's been on a layout tou...

Vera's working in On30 now? It's just a once off. Tom and Vera chat about a layout tour with the Prof and co in the SF Bay Area (an ongoing theme throughout the show). Jimmy Simmons provides an update. It's time for the Berties! Hoffy gives an update and chats with Jimmy about getting teenage sons involved in the hobby. Terry Terrance talks about the problems with Shapeways and some writing his wo...

Edward Traxler starts the show talking about a three-rail scenic-ing clinic he's working on. Paul Best gives an update on his wonderful club. Tom gives an account of failed technology (a theme that continues through the show in one form or another) and his experiences meeting the Professor and co the day before the recording. Mike Kenefeck introduces his Canadian Pacific layout. Spanky and Mike Sl...

Tom starts the show with Mike Slater talking about a Lionel conversion he's been working on. Dan Pickard introduces his interests in the hobby namely Australian narrow gauge. Hoffy talks about some radical changes in his layout. Tom Conboy provides an update on his progress in the hobby and some local layouts. Edward Traxler talks about narrow gauge in the Carolinas. Rod Hutchinson recommends some...

Tom and Vera start the call chatting about impressionism in model rail. Danish listener Andreas Kold Skensved introduces his N scale layout. Henry discusses how he is expanding a previous layout to a new layout. John Hunter calls in from the AMRA show in Melbourne and discusses what he's seen at the show and how it is dangerous to have $1,000 in your pocket at an AMRA show. John also introduces La...

Tom and Mike chat about Grand Rails and the recovery from Grand Rails. Anders provides a book review and discusses what will make an iconic layout going forwards. Terry joins the discussion to talk about layouts that have directed his layout design. Ros Flint provides an update on her layout as does Jim Gifford. Chris talks about his father's latest layout. The crew discusses the future of the hob...

Tom wraps up his coverage of Grand Rails by throwing down some cash and crossing the divide from Working Media to having a really good time!

Taking the initiative over a quiet month, Terry took his recorder along to the 2012 O Scale National Convention and recorded a little audio early with Rich Martin of the New York Society of Model Engineers. Through the course of the convention, Terry talked with David Schneider about his company and 19th Century railroading. Terry took some time with Brain Scace to discuss the important topic of l...

Tom talks about the first day of the Train Show.

Tom travels to the outer suburbs of Detroit, MI, for an epic layout tour.

Tom provides an update on his trip so far and the first day of Grand Rails in Grand Rapids, MI.

It's a rare thing for Tom and Chris to have a chat these days. The special starts with some sad news about the passing of Rich Chrysler. The show moves on to an extended discussion of live steam. The special concludes with a reminder about Grand Rails for those attending and a promise for much more audio for those who don't.

Tom starts the show talking with Seth Neumann about his modeling interests including the industry of the East San Francisco Bay and operations. Mike Slater provides a quick update for Grand Rails. Vera and Seth chat about layouts of whimsy in the area. Terry provides an extensive update but refuses to discuss his moonshine experiences. David Harris introduces his interests in N scale and the OpenL...

Tom starts the show chatting with Barry Dupler about 7 1/2 inch live steam, then Barry continues the discussion with Russ Segner on the National Narrow Gauge Convention held in Seattle later this year and their narrow gauge interests. Peter De Keles introduces his garden railroad. Malcolm provides a layout update. Tom and Vera rap on a local hobby store. Stephen Arnold introduces his prior layout...

Tom starts the show chatting with Vera Sepulveda about her more to HO scale and Ben Sutton about acrylics. Wayde Gutman talks about traction, books and logging redwoods. Mike Slater offers some of the things that keeps him interested in the hobby. Anders continues the theme of books that inspire. Mike gives a module update. Tom announces a contest involving two kits purchased from Jimmy Simmons' M...

Tom and Mike Slater start the show talking about modules. Terry plays a little audio addition when the Professor joins the call to opine about an appearance on the Model Railway Show. The discussion returns to Terry's track-laying plans. Michael Graff introduces his New York Harbor interests. Dave Frary discusses Cuban railroad prototypes in HOn30. Tom Brown presents problems with HOn30. Dave, Tom...

Jim Lincoln and Tom talk tie-plates. Tom Brown calls in to talk about shelf layouts in Lyon amongst other things. Jim Gifford and Ros give updates. Ben Sutton calls in to talk paint and NZ120. Pam chats with Malcolm Johnson, Jim Gore and R. L. Jenkins about building a steel mill with cars in N scale. Lionel and Clark call in for a revenge intervention (yes that's right folks, only on Model Rail Ra...

Due to work commitments Tom wasn't able to record a formal show, but Mike Slater picked up the slack and introduces newcomer Phil, and the company rappers, the Professor and Jason Reis.

Tom starts the show with Fred Thompson about his model railroading interests. Terry kicks off the box car conversation. Tom talks with Chris and Jeff about live steam in a variety of sizes. Marty calls in to talk layout disassembly with Lionel, box cars and more tales from manufacture. Clark is about to run trains. The intervention with Chris on why (after years co-hosting the show) he doesn't hav...

Mike, Tom and Jeff start the call talking about restoring Lionel. Duncan McRee and Craig Bisgeier talk about wireless and track-power-free DCC with some feedback from Anders, Terry and other crew members. David Ramos describes what it takes to make a social epicenter operating layout. Chris describes his latest work on Trevor's layout. Bruce, Chris and Tom rap on the difficulty finding some UK pro...