The Roundhouse

Known as the “Voice of the New York City Subway” Bernie has had a wonderfully varied career using her vocal talent and journalism skills spanning decades. For Pride Month, we are learning about how she got her start in voiceover and journalism, what led to her voice being used for transit station announcements, and how publicly transitioning to a woman opened her career further. This e...

In what ways were railroads crucial to the American Civil War? We talk with Thom Radice of the American Civil War Rail Roads Historical Society to learn more about some of the key individuals involved with the railroads, how the railroads shaped the conflict, and what resources exist for further research. This episode is sponsored by Rapido Trains and Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Relat...

The story of constructing Canada’s first transcontinental railway has been explored many times, but how did that railway come to shape immigration policy? David L. Jones, author of New World Dreams: Canadian Pacific Railway and the Golden Northwest, shares how his time as a CP employee enabled him to research this story, and how westward immigration shaped Canada into what it is today. This...

Chris LaRose was a musician until COVID changed his career trajectory. Learn about how he came to develop his line of vintage railroad caps and why he feels it connects him to the past. Check out the hats ! This episode is sponsored by Rapido Trains Inc and by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes R Duck Locomotive Works Steampunk unLimited The post 164: Creating Vintage Hats...

Eleven years ago, we interviewed Jason Shron from Rapido Trains about the history of the company up through 2015 and his vision for the future. Today, we see how Rapido has grown into the US and UK markets while still adhering to the principle that model railroading should be fun. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes The Original Jason Shron Inte...

  Legos are thought of as toys, but there is a subset of Lego fans that aim to make their trains look as real as possible. Glenn Holland is one of these people and has been making custom Lego models for years. He shares his experiences and projects with us, along with why he views Lego as a worthwhile medium for modeling. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Rela...

The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is a 140 mile short line located within North Carolina. Founder and Chairman Robert Menzies talks to us about his philosophy with establishing the railroad, how they transformed a locomotive into a “bar car”, and their plans with a recently acquired steam locomotive. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Rela...

Did you know that Conrail still exists today? Though primarily known as a major Class I railroad in the Northeast US from the 70s to 90s, Conrail still exists as a shared asset operation jointly owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Current President Brian Gorton started with the pre-merger Conrail in the 80s. He shares his perspective on how Conrail has evolved, experiences from his time working for...

R Duck Locomotive Works is a company specializing in creating laser-cut wooden kits depicting real locomotives and rolling stock. Founder and owner Tripp Aquadro talks about his inspiration for the business and how he develops his products. See his products on his website . This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes Walthers Trains Lionel Artist Angela...

In 2027, America will mark the 200th anniversary of its railroading legacy—a transformative journey that began in 1827 with the laying of the first stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Baltimore, Maryland. To honor this historic bicentennial, the B&O Railroad Museum is leading a nationwide, year-long celebration in collaboration with partners like Amtrak and CSX to spotlight the endur...

Talyllyn Railway Media Manager Luke Ryan joins us to discuss how the railway has progressed since we last featured it on the podcast, the importance of interpreting the Rev. Awdry’s work, and why hosting meaningful events such as the Awdry Extravaganza for fans matters. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes Talyllyn Railway (2015) Dr. Robin...

What does operating a big mainline steam locomotive like Santa Fe 3751 on the west coast require? Alex Gillman, VP of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, joins us to talk about the work required to restore and operate the locomotive, along with how they are developing a museum. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Photo by Sean Lamb. Related Episodes...

The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is expanding its museum facilities. CEO Jacqueline Frank joins us to discuss the history of the museum, how they successfully transported their “Dwight D. Eisenhower” locomotive back to the UK for an event in 2014, and their approach to showcasing the national history of railroading in the United States. This episode is sponsored by...

Chuck Baker, President of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, talks about the state of the short line railroading in early 2025, how the organization is involved in advocacy for the industry, and the growing trend of freight railroads entering tourist railroading. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes Railroad Analyst Tony Hatch...

The interviewer is interviewed! Guest host Kelly Lynch asks your questions for regular host Nick Ozorak about the history of the podcast, what continues to motivate his work, and why he is so optimistic about Next Generation Railroaders. Attend Next Generation Railroaders’ first virtual public programming . This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related...

  Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst for ABH Consulting, provides us with a greater understanding of the financial landscape of Class I railroading in the 21st century. This episode is sponsored by  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman FRA Administrator Joe Szabo Question of the Day What are you excited for in 2025? Subscribe on Apple...

  Host Nick Ozorak pays tribute to Britt Allcroft, creator of the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends TV series. He explores not just what her greatest contribution means to him, but what he see as some of its larger endearing outcomes. Related Episodes Thomas and Rail Preservation Mike O’Donnell: Thomas the Tank Engine Composer   The post In Memoriam: “Thomas & Friends” TV...

Let’s learn more about the largest trolley museum in the United States. Scott Becker has been at the helm of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for over 30 years. In that time, the museum has grown by expanding its collection and constructing two massive buildings. Scott walks us through the history of the museum, how preserving trolleys differs from other forms of rail preservations, and what...

        American Heritage Railways oversees such notable tourist railroads as the Durango & Silverton, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and Branson Scenic Railroad. Al Harper, Chairman and CEO, shares his decades of insight in what makes a tourist railroad function, how Polar Express has become such a staple in the industry, and the importance of balancing history with progress. This episode is...

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 railroad do you know of or work for that is...

  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  Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Relat...

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 & Pennsylvania Railroad Women in Short Line Rai...

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 California State Railroad Museum Railroader’s Memo...

Join us for a conversation with Arkansas & Missouri Railroad President Caren Kraska, Cathcart Rail Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Vanessa Knapton, and Senior VP of Law and General Counsel for ASLRRA Sarah Yurasko. They discuss their careers in the short line railroad industry, how they are working to cultivate interest in the field, and where they are seeing opportunities for growth. This ep...

We’re talking to Curtis Koch, Director of Marketing and Social Media for Broadway Limited Imports, about how they view the model railroading business, their process for their projects, and some of their upcoming products. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services . Related Episodes Rapido Trains Kathy Millatt & The Great Model Railway Challenge Question of the...