The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

Do you give or receive feedback after an operations session? What are some ideas you have implemented after being informed by a crew member that they have a better idea?  We discuss this topic and detail the changes we have made and suggested. The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and ken Zieska, and is Hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. We are sponsored by: The Train Around the Christma...

In this episode, we discuss the addition of animation to a layout: lighting, sounds, and more. Many products are available, and we discuss the ones we have used. From structure lighting to hobo campfires and welders. Sounds from defect detectors to birds and more in your woodlands. The crew in this episode is Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, and Ken Zieska, hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. Our spon...

In this episode, we discuss the painful realization that changes to our layouts will be for the better.  Modelers might not want to rip up scenery, track, wire, and more to improve their layout.  We talked about our changes and why they helped our layouts and operations. This episodes cast is Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, Mike Jodan, and Thomas Gasior MMR This episode is sponsored by The Coffee Table Lay...

This episode of The Crossing Gate discusses the advantages of smaller-size layouts. Less cost, less work, easier to detail, plus many other features.  The crew of this episode is Dan Dossa, Heath Hurwitz, William Sampson, and Thomas Gasior MMR. Heath joins us from his highly successful YouTube channel Humancity Junction, where he hosts weekly Livestreams and features his Riverside Transfer layout-...

In this episode, we discuss some current rabbit holes and when to stop digging. The Interweb has done research as close as our keyboard, but is it good to keep digging and digging?   The crew of this episode is Joe Binish, Dan Dossa, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, and William Sampson, hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. This episode is sponsored by those hard pills to swallow in model railroading. 

The Twin Cities Division is trying a new event. We call it the Operators Retreat. It will be a weekend where division members with established layouts host operation sessions for those new to operations. We provide the opportunity to operate on two different layouts. We are also open to experienced operators that want to meet like-minded people.   A social event will be held on Friday evening, Oct...

The crew discusses the advantages of operating passenger trains. From sleek streamliners that run from end to end of a layout to the local and milk runs that work every stop.  The idea of adding a Flag Stop is discused and Mike Jordan describes how he flagged down the passenger train to go see his grandmother.  Do you run passenger trains or are thinking about adding one or more to your layout? Th...

In this episode , we talk with members of the Minnesota FreeMo group. Bob Sterner and John Zacharias join us to discuss modular model railroading. We talk about the start of Minnesota FreeMo and some stories from past setups. We discuss the standards, plus what it takes to join a local FreeMo group. The podcast is only part 1 of a series. We hope to chat with the Minnesota FreeMo N scalers soon. L...

In this episode, the Crew discusses the advantages of virtual meetings and clinics.  From YouTube to Zoom, model railroading has changed for the better.  Layout tours, clinics, conferences, and even entire conventions are online. What does the future hold, and can these events be held and make a profit? This episode is sponsored by: How many engines do you have? The Crew in this episode is Larry E...

This episode, we dive into the world of Resin Car Kits. We invited fellow TCD member and Master Model Railroader Lester Breuer to answer our many questions about these unique kits. So if you are thinking of trying a resin kit, or an old veteran in prototype-specific specific rolling stock, take a listen. We discuss many tips and ideas as well as tools and adhesives. Lester and Joe created hundreds...

We talk about layout design versus a track plan. We list some solid points for creating a layout with a life beyond the construction phase. If you want to get into operations or plan a design for operations, our crew has some life lessons to help you in this endeavor.    Crew members for this episode include Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, Dan Dossa, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, Ken Zie...

The crew discusses Staging yards. The ones they built and the ones they used on other layouts. What makes a good staging yard, and what are some things to avoid when designing a staging yard. Do staging yards even matter anymore in modern layout designs?  The Angry Railfan sponsors this episode. Plus the usual bloopers. The crew includes Joe Binish, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan,...

The crew discusses the projects and things they like to do during the summer months.  Attending conventions, maintaining the layout, and cleaning the workbench are all ideas to keep the model train mojo going.  The cast of this episode: Dan Dossa, Larry Eggering, Milt Spanton, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR. Our friends at The Second Section Podcast sponsor this episode. 

The crew discusses what is on their workbench, plus moving a project from start to completion.  Cast of episode is Joe Binish, Larry Eggering, Mike Jordan, William Sampson, Ken Zieska and Thomas Gasior MMR This episode is sponsored by the Model Railroading Bus. Plus the Curmudgeon drops by to gripe and the usual outtakes and sound bites after.

What makes operation so interesting? Does it keep people in the hobby? Does it improve your layout? Does having a small layout limit the size of your enjoyment? Join the crew as we discuss what we like about operations and how we try to encourage others to operate their layouts and join operating groups. Joe Binish Larry Eggering David Hamilton MMR Mike Jordan Ken Zieska Thomas Gasior MMR Magic Bl...

Recorded live before an audience at the end of the Modelers Retreat.  Our crew looks back on the fun weekend and discusses the events that took place.  The crew spent a weekend in March celebrating the hobby of model railroading at the Twin Cities Division RPM meet. It was an amazing two days of socializing, model building, clinics, operations, history, and more.  Clinics featured our own Mike Jor...

This episode looks into how a story helps a layout achieve believability. If you model a prototype or freelance railroad, a story can help your modeling. A story keeps you on the path to creating a better layout. Listen to how our panel uses its stories to tell the tale of various layouts. From Northern Minnesota ore mines to the chemical industries of Florida. Moving perishables out of the fertil...

Have you ever attended an RPM Meet? RPM stands for Railroad prototype Modelers. The Twin Cities Division host an annual RPM meet called The Modelers Retreat. It is  March 11 and 12th and is two days of modeling and social activities. Ken Zieska is the chairman, and he joins with the cast to describe all the clinics and demonstrations that will offer. The crew chimes in with their experience as cli...

This episode is hosted ( refereed?) By William Sampson. He asks the question: Are we loyal to certain brands, and why. We look at motive power, rolling stock, and caboose fleets. Do you have a favorite brand? Are you loyal because of the price, detail,  service from the manufacturer,  or ease of workability?  Joe Binsh, Greg Dahl, Lawrence Eggering,  David Hamilton, Mike Jordan,  William Sampson,...

What are you doing differently, have your modeling skills evolved? What are you doing differently or better than when you started model railroading? The crew gives their responses and discusses skills versus technology improvements. Also, knowing your skills will improve with practice time and mentoring, as not to be so tough open yourself and your early efforts. Joe Binish, Dan Dossa, Larry Egger...

What's on your workbench? The crew talks about current and future projects. We talk tools, techniques, overcoming issues that can derail a project.  Joe Binish, Eric Boone, Greg Dahl, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR. The Arduino Drinking Games sponsor this episode of the Crossing Gate. The Curmudgeon stops by to gripe about Model Railroading acronyms. 

Can you actually learn something by throwing it away? Can you learn when to throw a project away?  Experience is what you get when you didn't get what you wanted. Join the crew as they tell some of their tales of despair while fighting bad switches, engines, wiring, and more.  Sometimes selling a bad project is the only way out. But maybe you should just trash it and save the next modeler.  W...

The crew discusses some of their favorite tools, tips, and techniques when working at the bench.  Do you have a favorite tool, or paintbrush, or soldering iron? We all do. We hope we can pass along some of the knowledge that we have acquired from many years of working on model railroads.    The crew of this episode is Joe Binish, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton, Mike Jordan, ken Zieska, William Sam...

Modeling things that are not trains, tracks, or rail-served industries. What details, scenes, structures, and more do you use to make your layout more cohesive? What can you do that is beyond fifty feet of the centerline of the main. Do you have any non-rail-served industries? How do you model vehicles for your era and location? The crew discusses the periphery of layouts and how not to fill every...

Switch Lists. JMRI, The Switch list Program, and even handwritten notes.  Do you use them and what do you think of them? How have they evolved? How does the JMRI program help you create a better switch list? William and his father use them for their layouts, Dan Dossa uses them for his small industrial line, and Larry uses the JMRI program at the local club.  Is this an upgrade to running with car...