The Roundhouse

Photo by Joel Hawthorn. What will it take to save the last operational logging railroad in the US? The Peninsular Railway and Lumberman’s Museum, a new nonprofit organization, has formed to save the Simpson Railroad, and President Josh Kaivo joins us to share what it will take to turn it into a tourist railroad! Related Episodes: The Last Logging Railroad Rikki Burchett Question of the Day W...

How do railroads make steel? Bernard Kempinski, author of “The Model Railroader’s Guide to Steel Mills,” walks us through the entire process and how you can create a model railroad steel mill! This episode was a listener request from Donald Dunn. Thank you for the suggestion! Related Episodes: Museum of Science & Industry Part II Bessemer & Lake Erie Railroad Question of...

We’re traveling aboard a steam excursion taking us back in time unlike any other. Join us as Nickel Plate Road 765 takes its passengers, crew, and reenactors from Joliet to Chicago. For this episode, we’ve ‘backdated’ our sound to make it more like a radio play of the 1940s. Organized by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, The Joliet Rocket was a series of 4 round t...

Bring Back 757! A campaign to return Nickel Plate 757 to its hometown of Bellevue, Ohio is launching today. Vice President of the Mad River & Nickel Plate Railroad Museum Dwayne Fuehring discusses the details of transporting such a massive locomotive and why moving this locomotive matters. Learn more about this campaign at the Bring Back 757 website ! Related Episodes: Nickel Plate 765 Cab Rid...

See what happens when the Axis and Allied forces battle for control of a train…all during a WWII reenactment at the Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad. It’s a WWII Train Battle unlike any other! This is our first episode simulcast in video and audio! Related Episodes: The Great Train Robbery MINI 01: Rich Melvin & Nickel Plate 765 Question of the Day What is the most exciting even...

The Great Train Robbery is a myth and legend that still impacts popular culture. But what exactly did happen to the Royal Mail train on the night of August 8th, 1963? Author Nick Russell-Pavier walks us through the mysteries, mistakes, and misconceptions about this incredible true story. Related Episodes: The Scrapper that Saved Steam Railway Photographer Robin Coombes Question of the Day What els...

When Orion Newall-Vuillemot needed storage for his Ford riding mowers, he did what any 15 year old would do…buy a 1930s Boston & Maine boxcar, transport it to his house, and begin a full restoration. Hear his incredible story about the journey of the car and his plans for restoring it! Related Episodes: Teen Restoring a McKeen Car TriState Bought an ALCO Question of the Day (50:40) What...

Look at his photos and you would assume the work of someone who has spent decades in photography. However, Robin Coombes only began exploring photography seriously in 2006. He shares his perspective on railway photography, historic photo charters, and his pursuit of a PhD on Heritage Railways at University of Birmingham! Check out the Robin and Taliesin Coombes Flickr account for more great photos...

As Chief Designer of MSI’s Great Train Story layout exhibit, John Llewellyn explains the design process, how a train layout can tell a story, and fitting skyscrapers underneath a full-size Boeing 727! Related Episodes: Museum of Science & Industry Part I National Model Railroad Association Question of the Day (25:48) What is the largest model railroad you’ve ever seen?   Let me kno...

058: Museum of Science and Industry MSI’s collection includes the Pioneer Zephyr streamliner, New York Central #999, and a replica of Stephenson’s Rocket. Director of Collections and Head Curator Kathleen McCarthy shares how this history is brought to life and why rail history continues to fascinate the museum’s patrons. Patreon I’m very excited to launch our Patreon !  Thi...

FULL EPISODE Rich Melvin shares a couple of stories from his time as Senior Engineer of Nickel Plate 765, including how he impressed supervisors who underestimated what the steam locomotive could do. The post MINI 01: Rich Melvin & Nickel Plate 765 appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast .

In this shorter episode, Vice President Kevin Phalon and Treasurer Richie King, (both under 25 years old) join us to discuss the Tri-State Railway Historical Society’s purchase of Morristown & Erie 19, an ALCO C424 built in 1964.  They tell us how this was made possible, why the restoration can be achieved for just $5000, and what the future holds for the locomotive. Special thanks to Li...

We’re riding on the Hoosier State! We take one last ride while Iowa Pacific was operating the train to experience the wonderful equipment and on-board service. Along the way, we talk to the crew to hear about what they’ve taken away from their work. Dylan Hayes – 01:56 Aimee Skirvin – 10:04 Tunde Barbarinsa – 13:55 James Corbett – 16:13 Conductor Rob Tracy &#821...

Have you ever wanted to own a private railcar, and what is it like to travel in one? AAPRCO President Bob Donnelly describes the organization, what cars he co-owns, how he enjoys the annual convention trains, and the difference between a private car and the Class I OCS. Question of the Day (41:00) What railcar would you like to own?   Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next epi...

Australian iron ore trains are the ‘Mad Max’ of railroading. Jim Ward takes us through his 50 years of working for a variety of Australian and New Zealand railways, his favorite types of locomotives, and the longest train in the world! Related Episodes: Norfolk Southern Engineer Mike Huhn The Scrapper who Saved Steam Photos courtesy of Jim Ward. Question of the Day (37:49) What is the...

One of the best parts of the winter holidays is that it brings community businesses and organizations together to create unique events.  We follow the Western New York & Pennsylvania Santa Train, talking with the crew and the community along the way! WNYP President Carl Belke – 01:45 Meadville Residents – 07:54 Red Cross – 14:00 Oil Region Alliance President & CEO John Ph...

The Bessemer & Lake Erie has been hauling iron ore to fuel America’s steel production for over 100 years.  Learn about its history and why it means so much to local railfans and workers as we begin to explore its roots.  We talk to Bob Brooks, who has filmed the railroad for over six years, and Jon Clark, a photographer working for another Western Pennsylvania shortline. Bob Brooks &#821...

What is the National Model Railroad Association, and how do they help the hobby?  President Charlie Getz talks about the organization, the work they do, and where the hobby is headed for the future. Related Episodes: Rapido Trains – Jason Shron K&L Trainz Holiday Events submitted by listeners for 2016: Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum Connecticut Trolley Museum Question of the Day (54...

Southern Railway 4501 Documentary Director Evan Lofback set out to create a Ken Burns-like documentary about the return of mainline steam excursions in the south and the people who made it happen.  In particular, this professional feature-length film features Southern Railway 4501, and how it became a star in preservation. Join us as he takes us behind the scenes for the production of this film an...

Luxury Rail Travel invited us to ride a former Pennsylvania Railroad observation car from the 1950s.  Make yourself comfortable in the lounge as we travel from New York to Pittsburgh on the Steel City Limited, talking with crew and passengers along the way!  We also receive updates regarding the restoration of the Reading T1 #2100 steam locomotive. Visit Luxury Rail Travel to see what upcoming tri...

We’re going for a Nickel Plate 765 cab ride!  Climb aboard as we talk with the crew and hear the sounds of this massive locomotive at work.  Notably, we interview Rich Melvin on one of his last runs in his over 30 year experience with the locomotive. We want to thank both the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society and the Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad for making this episode possible. Rela...

How does the National Park Service bring railroad history to life? Debbie Conway talks about the Steamtown NHS, its history, and details her plans for what she wants to see in the future. 2016 Roundhouse Survey & Northeast Corridor Giveaway! To celebrate approaching 50 episodes, we are conducting a listener survey to see how we can continue to improve the show.  Because we want to give back to...

What does it take to promote and celebrate Amtrak’s past and present?  Lead Brand Communications Specialist Matt Donnelly joins us to share how he built his career with Amtrak, the story behind the Heritage Units, and what trips he has enjoyed most. 2016 Roundhouse Survey & Northeast Corridor Giveaway! To celebrate approaching 50 episodes, we are conducting a listener survey to see how w...

Richard King (left) and Rudy Garbely (right) of Garbely Publishing stand atop locomotives they have authored books about. Photo courtesy of Kevin Phalon. What compels someone young to enter the world of print publishing in the 21st Century?  We talk with Rudy Garbely (founder) and Richard King (author) from Garbely Publishing about their work and the histories they are exploring.  In particular, w...

“If you’re a railfan, here you’re not strange.  Here you’re a part of the gang automatically.  You fit right in, and that makes our guests very comfortable”. We chat with Tom Davis, innkeeper for the Station Inn about his 22 years providing railfans with the ideal Pennsylvania getaway. The station in is located in Cresson, PA, along what used to be the Pennsylvania Ra...