The Roundhouse Podcast

Details emerged this week from a town in Texas that planned to scrap its displayed steam locomotive. Jason Sobczynski talks about the last-minute appeal put together to find it a new home and restore it. Learn about the campaign by clicking here . Support us on Patreon , Subscribe on iTunes , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House!

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 on each of these projects? President of CSR Davidson Ward explains what they have in store for the future. Learn more about the Coalition for Sustainable Rail . Related Episodes The Joliet Rocket - NKP 765 Excursion Southern Railway...

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 Question of the Day What is your local shortline? Let me know and I will respond to your c...

We'll take a look ahead at 2018, hear some suggestions for future episodes from you, and reveal some upcoming projects and surprises!

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. Related Episodes Historic Rail Simulation - Paul Charland Digitizing a Steam Locomotive with K&L Trainz Question of the Day What railroad would you wan...

Growing up with the Pennsylvania Railroad, Bennett Levin would later go on to own a PRR Observation Car used by John F. Kennedy and original E-Unit locomotives. He shares his love of providing rare-mileage excursions, providing Veterans with an unforgettable train ride, and how to advocate for rail travel. Related Episodes American Association of Private Rail Car Owners (AAPRCO) Iowa Pacific Hoosi...

How do you create a museum that encapsulates a steel mill in just 1.2 acres? Rick Rowlands, President of Youngstown Steel Heritage, shares his story about founding the museum, collecting priceless machinery including a tank engine, and constructing an industrial railway to showcase this history! Related Episodes Saving the Last Logging Railroad Steel Manufacturing and Railroads Question of the Day...

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! Question of the Day What is your favorite logging railroad? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in...

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 model it! This episode was a listener request from Donald Dunn. Thank you for the suggestion! Question of the Day What type of industry serviced by railroads is your favorite? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode...

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 trip excursions from Joli...

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 Ride NKP 765 Engineer R...

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! This is my first episode simulcast in video and audio. Click here to see the video! Question of the Day What is the most exciting event that you've been to at a tourist railroad or railway museum that wasn't about trains?   Let me know and I will re...

FULL SHOWNOTES 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. Question of the Day What else would you like to know about the Great Train Robbery?   Let me kno...

FULL SHOWNOTES When Orion Newall-Veillemot 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! Question of the Day (50:40) What is your favorite freight car?   Let me know and I will respond...

Full Shownotes with Photos: http://wp.me/p5IPAr-jz Look at his photos and you would assume the work of someone who has spent decades in photography. However, Robin 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! Question of the Day (1:04:17) What...

As Chief Designer of MSI's Great Train Story layout exhibit, John explains the design process, how a train layout can tell a story, and fitting skyscrapers underneath a full-size Boeing 727! Question of the Day (25:48) What is the most interesting railroad exhibit you've ever seen?   Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Support us on Patreon , Subscribe on iTunes ,...

FULL EPISODE President Linn Moedinger grew up with the Strasburg Rail Road from his childhood. He recalls early experiences, including how the first weed wacker also 'got rid of the ties'!

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!  This is a service that provides you the opportunity to help supp...

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.

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 ALCO C424 #19 from the Morristown & Erie Railroad.  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 Liberty His...

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 - 25:59 Jack Sinise - 28:14 Question of t...

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 adventures he encountered on the way. Question of the Day (37:49) What is the longest train you've ever seen?   Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe o...

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's 2016 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 Phillips - 16:42 WNYP...

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 PA shortline. Bob Brooks - 1:58 Reading Your Comme...