G4

Proto-Future and the Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading

Leisure EN ↓ 55 episodes

This is a joint feed for the Beginner’s Guide to Model Railroading (BGT) and the Proto-Future Podcast (PFP), a fresh take on model railroading which covers modern transit, intercity passenger rail, and walkable, climate-just, and racially equitable urban environments.

Author

G4

Category

Leisure

Podcast website

www.bgtmrring.org

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

Where to listen?

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Episodes

Proto-Future 5, Part 2: Inaugural Borealis, Day 2 – Minneapolis Speedrun and the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum 25.06.2024

Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring

Proto-Future and Beginner's Guide Trailer 03.06.2024

Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Proto-Future 5, Part 1: Inaugural Borealis, Day 1 – Keystone, SEPTA, Airport Philosophy, and the Metric System for Sounds 02.06.2024

Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

Proto-Future 4: G4 Buffet: Lewistown, Layout Diary 1, and the Grocery Store 30.04.2024

Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

BGT Episode 22: Scenery Part 3: Pedosphere Part 2: Trees, Water, Ballast, and Details 31.03.2024

This episode covers the different ways of making deciduous and evergreen trees, pouring epoxy water systems, ballasting track, and adding scenic details.

Proto-Future Prologue 3: Rochester, MN 28.02.2024

Clinics can be accessed here: https://www.bgtmrring.org/clinics Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link

BGT Episode 21: Scenery Part 2: Pedosphere Part 1: Dirt and Foliage 21.01.2024

Thank you all for sticking around this long! After over two thousand days of intermittently podcasting, we now finally get to make some scenery! Herein, I discuss ground staining, dirt, grass, and bushes.

Proto-Future Bonus 1: G4 Imitates Noah Lugeons 27.12.2023

So, here’s the story: When I first wrote and recorded this episode, I didn’t know if the sultans of swearing would honor me to share their supreme statements on stateside shame, so I recorded a version of the diatribe, myself, in the event they didn’t get back. Fantastically, they did, and I’m ever so happy for it, but I was, in fact, so proud of my interpretation that I couldn’t let it go to wast...

Proto-Future Prologue 2: G4's Story 27.12.2023

Extra-special thanks to Puzzle in a Thunderstorm and all their podcasts. You can find their website here: https://scathingatheist.com and their podcasts following: The Scathing Atheist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scathing-atheist/id594676720 The Skepticrat: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-skepticrat/id969924303 God Awful Movies: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/god-aw...

BGT Episode 20: Q&A 3 24.11.2023

Much thanks to all those whom asked a question! Feel free to reach out here: https://www.bgtmrring.org/contact Link to the subsequent interview with Tom Barbalet on Model Rail Radio found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio/id335536272?i=1000634820061

Proto-Future Prologue 1: The Manifesto 15.10.2023

‘Nuff said

BGT Episode 19: [Railroad History Miniseries 3] Railroads of Southern New England 06.10.2023

After far too long of a wait, I’ll examine the history of railroads in Southern New England and the Northeastern Mid-Atlantic states, as well as give you an update on whither I think this podcast will go, hinting at potentially big things later.

BGT Episode 18: Scenery Part 1: Terrain (Lithosphere) Building, and Springfield Presentation Update 18.01.2023

In this episode, I explain my absence, then tell you about making scenery landforms with plaster cloth, foam board, and other techniques, then finish with teaching you how to cast rocks. Be sure to visit me at Springfield this year to watch my new presentation!

BGT Episode 17: [Railroad History Miniseries 2] Railroads of Northern New England 06.06.2022

In this episode, I’ll examine the history of railroads in Northern New England, starting with the Class Is, moving towards regionals and shortlines, and ending with a look at some of the most unique small railroads and operations with long-lasting historical significance.

BGT Episode 16: Bonus Essay: Westworld 14.10.2021

In this episode, I’ll reward you for my tardiness by reading aloud a personal essay on the subjects of narrative and autonomic artificial intelligence as they relate to building and operating a model railroad, respectively.

BGT Episode 15: Track Laying, Part 2 19.06.2021

In this episode, I’ll show you how to prepare roadbed, lay track, and wire it all up for derailment-free operation. I cover centerline transcribing, gluing roadbed, cutting, wiring, and laying track, and testing it all to ensure smooth running.

BGT Episode 14: [Major Railroads Miniseries 1] A History of North American Railroading 28.11.2020

In the premier episode of a new miniseries, I will take you through the history of North American railroads, before covering the major railroads in each region in later installments.

BGT Episode 13: Track Laying, Part 1 24.10.2020

In this episode, I will be covering all the track-laying theories and topics required to successfully prepare for track laying. Don’t forget to vote correctly!

BGT Episode 12: Listener Questions 2 10.06.2020

Stay safe and healthy, everybody! Remember, being cooped up is an excellent time to get working on trains!

BGT Episode 11: Benchwork! 23.01.2020

Hello all! It’s been a while! In this episode, we get around to finally starting construction by discussing all the ins and outs of constructing benchwork.

BGT Episode 10: Terminology, Tools, and Trainiacs 30.05.2019

Wow, hi, you’re actually reading the episode notes. I never do that when I’m listening to podcasts. Whelp, here we are. I want to formally apologize for taking waaaaaaaaaaay too long to put this episode together. Graduate school is a bitch. I honestly haven’t progressed on model railroading pretty much at all in the past six months. Mount Gretna Narrow Gauge kind of lost my interest; it was too si...

BGT Episode 9: Prototype Research (Track Planning Workshop, Part 3) 16.12.2018

In this episode, I describe how to choose and research a prototype railroad. The most important take-home message I can give you is that you should never underestimate the value of some good in-person research at a historical society or university library. The website I reference in the episode is thusly: https://geonames.usgs.gov/apex/f?p=262:1:19084355468963::::: and contains a complete archive...

BGT Episode 8: Listener Questions 1 17.09.2018

In this episode, I answer my first listener questions! This is an important part of the show because it helps me to focus in on which subjects you still require clarification on. You can submit questions of your own through the contact page on www.bgtmrring.org. Hope to hear from you soon!

BGT Episode 7: Designing for Space (Track Planning Workshop, Part 2) 24.07.2018

Nobody will ever be able to completely synthesize all the information you will need to build a successful track plan, but these episodes should hopefully give you a good primer. This episode will focus on layout design from a modeler perspective and in the context of a layout room. Other topics also covered are that of modeler personality, track planning software, and making a layout for your own...

BGT Episode 6: Designing for Operations (Track Plan Workshop, Part 1) 06.05.2018

Nobody will ever be able to completely synthesize all the information you will need to build a successful track plan, but these episodes should hopefully give you a good primer. This episode will focus on railroad operation, and the components there with associated, and the next episode will focus on space usage and design from the human perspective.

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