The Roundhouse Podcast

We're traveling behind steam locomotive Nickel Plate Road #765 from Youngstown to Ashtabula and back.  On the way, we'll talk to crew from the Fort Wayne RR Historical Society, passengers, and spectators.  Here's your ticket, so climb aboard! Nickel Plate 765 Adventure 1:42 - Passengers (Fred Smith, Gale Rigby) 5:48 - Arrival of 765, Spectators (Mike Long, Bob Straley) 9:50 - Tour of the Tool Car,...

As the Assistant Contract Administrator, Andrea talks about working for the Strasburg Rail Road, explains the work she provides for steam locomotives, and describes the 'Culture of Steam'. This episode is sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.  Visit their website to see their 2015 Summer Mainline Excursion schedule and book your tickets today! Question of the Day (44:04) With su...

Firewoman and engineer Rikki talks about being part of 'The Lone Ranger' movie crew, working on steam locomotives big and small, and her advice with connecting to a tourist railroad. This episode is sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.  Visit their website to see their 2015 Summer Mainline Excursion schedule and book your tickets today! News Amtrak is selling parts from their r...

Ever wonder what it's like to be the editor for Trains Magazine?  Jim tells you what he looks for in a good railroad story! Jim Wrinn Interview Jim began reading Trains Magazine at the age of 6.  His parents bought it to stimulate his reading; he enjoyed it for the pictures.  As he worked his way up in the field of journalism, he eventually became the Editor in 2004.  Jim shares some memorable sto...

NRHS Convention, Batman breaking the law, Bessemer & Lake Erie, and more!  I'm riding solo today to talk about my latest adventures and share some photos! News Amtrak has donated AEM-7 #915 to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania .  This veteran of the Northeast Corridor will now serve to convey recent railroading history to museum patrons. Rocky Mountain Express Review (2:36) Since I interviewed D...

Steam locomotive in IMAX!  Starring CP 2816, Rocky Mountain Express tells the tale of constructing the Canadian Transcontinental Railroad.  Director Stephen Low joins us to discuss his career in documentary filmmaking, what led to the creation of this film, and provides us with insight behind some of the amazing scenes! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia3cUsSQjzY Rocky Mountain Express - Director...

Canadian Pacific #2860 has led an interesting history, and at 75 years old it is about to embark on a new chapter.  West Coast Railway Association's President Emeritus Don Evans visits us to share details about this locomotive's restoration, the history of the Association, its fascinating collection of rolling stock, and how it reaches out to the public. News Norfolk & Western #611 completed its f...

Train simulators are often thought of as means of replicating modern railroading, but how can they be used to convey railroad history?  Content creator and route builder Paul Charland (Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad, Dominion Atlantic Railway) talks with us about recreating shortlines in Microsoft Train Simulator. News Norfolk Southern has completed repainting a Union Pacific DDA40X diese...

Did you know about the Simpson Railroad?  This logging railroad in the wilderness of Washington state is the last in the United States.  Now, the Simpson Railroad faces an uncertain future due to the company which owns it shutting down its mill operations in June of 2015.  We talk with local historians and residents to answer the question:  What has made the Simpson Railroad so unique? News Fire U...

Summer is almost here.  What should you pack for your next railfanning trip?  I share my Top Ten suggestions, along with introducing you to the Rail U.S.A. maps by Bella Terra Publishing.  We'll also be discussing the recent derailment of Amtrak Train #188. News Amtrak Train #188 crashed in Philadelphia on the evening of May 12th, 2015.  NTSB has confirmed the train was traveling at 102 MPH around...

As you know, preserving railroad history of the 19th Century is difficult due to the limited amount of equipment which has survived for so long.  Steam Into History Inc. provides a unique opportunity for you to connect with the Civil War era using replica equipment and historical reenactors.  COO Robert Gotwols joins us to talk about the formation of this railroad, how they engage with their homet...

Ever since it was announced that Reading T1 #2100 would be restored to operation, many of you have raised questions about the condition of the locomotive, what the restoration will require, and what the future of the locomotive holds.  Kelly Lynch joins us to answer these and discuss how we can keep steam restoration alive! News Today is the 141st Kentucky Derby, and three railroads have taken the...

The Association of Tourist Railroads and Railway Museums (ATRRM) is the result of a recent merger between two rail preservation organizations.  We learn more about what they do, how they help organizations in the industry, and why they want to help you find a good place to volunteer. News Fire Up 2100, the campaign to restore Reading T1 Steam locomotive #2100 has released new information .  The lo...

Wales is a country of beautiful countryside, and with equipment that is over 150 years old the Talyllyn Railway takes you back in time in this landscape.  General Manager Chris Price about how the railway became the first preserved line in the world, what you can expect when you visit, the relationship it has with The Railway Series (Thomas the Tank Engine), and how the 150th Anniversary is being...

Known by many for making the American Freedom Train of 1976 a reality, Ross Rowland has been involved in the formation of several railroad projects over the past 50 years.  Here he reviews his past history, tells us about how John Wayne helped in the formation of the AFT, and what his plans are for the Yellow Ribbon Express! News Last weekend in Washington D.C., I visited the National Museum of Am...

The Fire Up 611! campaign has been a tremendous success so far, with the locomotive nearing completion to operation.  Chief Mechanical Officer Scott Lindsay provides us an update on the restoration of this locomotive, an overview of the campaign beyond the locomotive, and discusses his involvement with the 2002 Winter Olympics. News This past Tuesday (March 31) the Fire Up 611 team...well... fired...

The Roundhouse is Our House, and having topics requested by you on the show is highly important to meet that goal.  Many of you have been curious about what it is like to work for a Class I Railroad, so I interviewed THREE employees from Norfolk Southern, each from a different area or field of work. Chris Tokarcik Interview Having qualified as a conductor less than half a year ago, Chris provides...

The Roundhouse is Our House, and having topics requested by you on the show is highly important to meet that goal.  Many of you have been curious about what it is like to work for a Class I Railroad, so I interviewed THREE employees from Norfolk Southern, each from a different area or field of work. News The Boulder Valley Railway Historical Society is calling it a day and selling their railroad e...

There is no doubt to the significance of President Lincoln's role in American history.  David Kloke tells us about completing the funeral train and building Leviathan, a 19th century 4-4-0 steam locomotive. News Huffington Post ran  a great article about how trains influenced Walt Disney and led to his famous amusement parks.  The fact that Disneyworld uses restored narrow-gauge steam locomotives...

Can you imagine starting up your own model train manufacturing business?  What models would you produce, and how would you run it?  Jason tells us about the founding of Rapido Trains, an HO and N-Scale manufacturing company, and why humor is important for the hobby. News The Roundhouse now has a mailing list you can join.   Click here to sign up and automatically receive new episodes of The Roundh...

In the heart of Lancaster County, the Strasburg Rail Road provides a unique railroad experience for the public.  Steam locomotives pull wooden coaches through beautiful farmland on a regular basis, and events like Day Out with Thomas and Steampunk Unlimited introduce the public to important pieces of railroad history.  Linn gives us a tour behind the scenes and the history of this fascinating oper...

If you are a railfan, you've been to a train show.  They are a unique opportunity to meet people in the hobby, buy new and used equipment, and take in the beautiful club layouts.  I have always had fun going to this show throughout the years, but I particularly enjoyed interviewing so many interesting vendors, club members, and railfans. News As you are probably aware, a CSX bakkan crude oil train...

What is it like for someone outside of the hobby of model railroading to explore it, capture it on film, and create a feature-length documentary about it?  Filmmaker Sara Kelly shares with us her experience working on "Model Citizens" over the past couple of years and her unique perspective on model railroading. News I will be attending the Greenberg Train Show in Monroeville PA on February 15, 20...

Nickel Plate Road #765 has become a steam celebrity in the railroad and railfan community.  What is it like to be this locomotive's engineer?  Rich Melvin shares his experience as Senior Engineer of NKP 765, as well as being CEO and Publisher of O Gauge Railroading Magazine. News The Roundhouse is now on iTunes.  Click this link to subscribe , and leave a review of the show while you're there.  Ou...

If you were asked by a railroad to be their company photographer, would you say yes?  Casey Thomason works for one of the largest Class I railroads in the country and shares what life is like being on the road, finding interesting locations, and visually representing Norfolk Southern. News I was sent this video by a number of sources, and not all of them are railfans.   This extreme video of a CN...