The Roundhouse

How is the hobby of model railroading doing from the perspective of one of its largest manufacturers and suppliers? Stacey Walthers Naffah, President of Wm. K. Walthers Inc., a longtime Milwaukee-based distributor, manufacturer, and retailer of model trains, shares her insights about the hobby and how it can engage new followers. Select the Guests for Episode 100: https://theroundhousepodcast.com/...

What compels someone to build fantastic routes in a train simulator? Joe from the YouTube channel Approach Medium discusses why he loves virtual railroading, his many route projects, and how it compares to model railroading. Check out Approach Medium on YouTube ! Related Episodes K&L Trainz Historical Train Simulation with Paul Charland Question of the Day What is your favorite train simulator...

Want to learn the story of O. Winston Link and his famous steam photography project? O. Winston Link Museum Manager Lynsey Allie details his history and how the museum that bears his name maintains his legacy. Vote for which guests you would like to see return to The Roundhouse . Related Episodes Age of Steam Roundhouse Fire Up 611 Question of the Day What is your favorite O. Winston Link photogra...

What was it like working for railroads like the Erie Lackawanna and the Delaware & Hudson? Steve Vaughan Sr., a railroader with over 40 years in the industry shares stories from his career and how he fired steam locomotives like Canadian Pacific 2317 and Milwaukee Road 261. Related Episodes Milwaukee Road 261 – Steve Sandberg Steamtown National Historic Site Question of the Day If you we...

The East Broad Top, a historic narrow gauge railroad in central Pennsylvania, has been purchased by a new nonprofit organization. Brad Esposito, General Manager for the railroad, discusses the future of the EBT and what it will take to restore it to operation. Visit the new website and learn more about the Friends of the East Broad Top . Question of the Day What excites you about the East Broad To...

Are you planning your basement railroad empire? Curious on how an expert compresses entire railroad locations and operations into a small space? Dan Bourque has designed hundreds of train layouts over the past 20 years, and these can be seen on his Appalachian Railroad Modeling website. He shares his step-by-step approach to finding the ideal method of compressing real railroad mainlines and branc...

Many preservation efforts have conquered hardship, but how many can say they have triumphed over a flood? Colin O’Brien of the Mid-Continent Railway Museum walks us through the extensive collection, restoration projects including Chicago & Northwestern #1385, and how they persevered through a devastating flood in 2008. You can visit the Mid-Continent Railway Museum website to see all of...

What is the story of the Waynesburg & Washington Railroad, and how is its history preserved today? Jim Weinschenker, railroad liaison at the Greene County Historical Society , introduces us to this narrow gauge Pennsylvania shortline, how its history connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad, and what restoration projects are currently underway. This episode is sponsored by  Age of Steam Roundh...

How does the Strasburg Rail Road balance its tourist railroading with hauling freight? Steve Weaver, VP of Freight Services, presented at the Heritage Rail Alliance on how the railroad maintains this harmony. This episode is sponsored by  Age of Steam Roundhouse , a working roundhouse and restoration facility preserving nearly two dozen steam locomotives. Visit their website to...

What would a competition series about model railroading look like? Kathy Millatt, skilled modeler and YouTube video maker, served as a judge on “The Great Model Railway Challenge”, a British TV series which had modelers build a small layout over the course of 24 hours. She shares her experience in and how she sees the hobby continuing to expand. Learn more about the Great Model Railway...

Two Norfolk & Western steam locomotives will be reunited this fall, and you can be there for the multi-weekend event. Stationmaster Steve Barrall shares details about what led to having Norfolk & Western 611 visit the Strasburg Rail Road this fall and what you can expect to see! This episode is sponsored by  Age of Steam Roundhouse , a working roundhouse and restoration facility preserving...

What treasures does the Age of Steam Roundhouse hold? We’re talking with Executive Director Noel Poirier about the steam locomotive collection of the late Jerry Joe Jacobson, the dream of having a full roundhouse and locomotive shop realized, and what events are coming up for you to enjoy! Website: http://www.ageofsteamroundhouse.com/ Learn more about Meadville Railroad Depot :  https:/...

What is the Center for Railroad Photography and Art? President and Executive Director Scott Lothes talks about how this nonprofit’s work to preserve photos of railroading in the past is a key part of rail preservation. Learn more about the Center for Railroad Photography and Art and their work here . Related Episodes Railway Photographer Robin Coombes Snowdonia – Railway Board Game Que...

Take a ride in a streamlined dome observation car. See what the newest equipment on the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad has to offer travelers! To learn more about the CVSR and see upcoming trips:  https://www.cvsr.com/ Meadville Model Railroad Club:  https://meadvillemodelrailroadclub.com/ Related Episodes Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Cab Ride in Nickel Plate 765 Question of the Day What is yo...

Teddy Wilson, host of the TV Series “Mighty Trains,” talks about the adventures he takes on the show, what was most memorable from Season 1, and what to expect in Season 2! Related Episodes Rapido Trains 50 Years of Australian Railroading Question of the Day What is your favorite railroad TV show? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Support us on Patreo...

What makes the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad unique? We talk with President and CEO Joe Mazur about Budd passenger cars, newly-acquired ex-California Zephyr cars, and what makes their partnership with the National Park Service succeed. Spirit Railcar Our car has departed the United States. Dan Smoley took the car with him to Australia! Here the car is at the Puffing Billy Railway. We look forwar...

What does it take to form a tourist railroad in the 21st Century? Allentown & Auburn Railroad President Mike Bast talks about getting this railroad started and what steam locomotive they will be restoring. Related Episodes Coalition for Sustainable Rail Grand Canyon Railway Question of the Day What is your favorite tourist railroad? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next e...

Does your railroad museum or preservation group has a good succession plan? Strasburg Rail Road President Linn Moedinger shares his insight as he prepares to pass his own job onto the next generation. Related Episodes Strasburg Rail Road – Linn Moedinger Nickel Plate 765 Cab Ride Question of the Day How is your organization preparing for succession and ‘passing the torch’ to the...

We count down the Top 5 train movies with Nick Ozorak and guest host Chris Eden Green from Steam Locos in Profile. Will yours be on the list? Related Episodes Rocky Mountain Express Steam Locos in Profile – Chris Eden Green Movie Choices (Spoiler Alert) #5 (02:57) – The General, Murder on the Orient Express (1974) #4 (11:00) – Northwest Frontier, The Titfield Thunderbolt #3 (18:4...

Show host Nick Ozorak attended the HeritageRail Alliance Spring 2018 Conference at the Strasburg Rail Road. In this presentation by railroad historian Kurt Bell, we learn about what it takes to engage millennials in railroad preservation. Related Episodes Strasburg Rail Road – Andrea Biesecker Saving a Boxcar at the Age of 15 Support us on Patreon , Subscribe on iTunes , share this episode w...

Amtrak has announced major changes prohibiting private charters and excursions to operate. We discuss the issue with Roger Fuehring, the President of the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance (RPCA). Related Episodes The Joliet Rocket Steel City Limited The post MINI 05: Amtrak Excursions At Risk appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast .

Can you imagine what it would be like to take a jet powered train up to a world-record-setting speed? We’ll talk with Don Wetzel who helped design and pilot the M497 to over 180 MPH back in 1966! Related Episodes Coalition for Sustainable Rail Budd Car Adventure Question of the Day What is your favorite experimental steam locomotive? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our nex...

Coalition for Sustainable Rail The Coalition for Sustainable Rail is focused on two projects: researching a plant-based coal substitute, and restoring steam locomotive Santa Fe 3463. Where are they at on each of these projects? President of CSR Davidson Ward elains what they have in store for the future. Learn more about the Coalition for Sustainable Rail by clicking here . Related Episodes The Jo...

Kylie McLaughlin – General Manager and Asst. Vice President of Operations What does it take to run a shortline railroad in the 21st Century? Kylie McLaughlin answers this question, talks about using ALCOs in modern revenue service, and how women are expanding into the railroad industry. Related Episodes Western New York & Pennsylvania Santa Train WNYP Railroad President Carl Belke Questi...

What can rail preservation learn from a simulator about Titanic? Project Director Tom Lynskey walks us through the research and development of Titanic: Honor and Glory and how it showcases the oceanliner’s history from a very different perspective. Learn more about the project at TitanicHG.com ! Related Episodes Historic Rail Simulation – Paul Charland Digitizing a Steam Locomotive wit...