It's nice to know that people in the model railroading industry are modelers just like us, and that's exactly what we do on this episode of Around The Layout. Jim Wiggin, Associate Brand Manager for Athearn, takes us back to his childhood in central New Hampshire and tells us how an interaction with a Boston & Maine employee boosted his desire to model the prototype. We also learn the influence a local hobby shop owner had, leading him on the path where his hobbies became his profession. Jim...
Mar 14, 2023•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 25
It's the largest show west of the Mississippi - The Rocky Mountain Train Show - and Co-Chair John Gardberg and the multitasker that needs no title, Michelle Kempema are here to tell us all about it. John and Michelle tell us about their passion for this show that has had a major impact on both. The Rocky Mountain Train Show has something for everyone of all ages and skill levels, with a focus on bringing new people into the hobby and providing them with education and guidance to keep it fun and ...
Mar 13, 2023•55 min
The creator and star of "The Pixel Depot", Joe Parker, stops by and tells us a bit about himself and his passion for model railroading and how this has led to his widely successful YouTube channel. Joe shares how membership in the Worcester Model Railroaders provided lessons and lifelong friends, encouraging him to create his own layout. Joe talks about how "The Pixel Depot" motivates not only it's viewers, but himself as well, as he works on not only one, but two seperate layout projects. Check...
Feb 28, 2023•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 24
Tim Blackwell, Editor and Publisher of Cowcatcher Magazine, makes his Around The Layout Podcast debut and tells us about his magazine that is entering it's 20th year of publication. Ray and Tim discuss the results of Cowcatcher’s 2023 State of Model Railroading Survey and add their own thoughts on the future of the hobby. Tim also tells us about the Hobby Manufacturers Association and how their Model Railroad Industry Division is working hard to ensure a bright future for all. Subscribe to Cowca...
Feb 21, 2023•48 min
There are no shortage of topics when Thomas Klimoski comes to the Around The Layout studio. A retired firefighter, author, trainman and accomplished model railroader, Tom tells us about his beginnings in the hobby and how a letter written to a well-known model railroader changed his projectory in model railroading and led to amazing opportunities and great friendships.Tom discusses how his personal experiences influenced his book "Buliding The Right Sized Layout" and how you can ensure you're bu...
Feb 14, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 23
He’s been talked about a lot on Around The Layout, but now it’s time to hear from Don Irace himself. Don’s original Providence & Worcester layout in Scituate, Rhode Island was known by many as the layout to see in southern New England, and he gives us the backstory on it’s creation. He shares how he developed operations on this layout, and how lessons from Scituate guided the second version after his move to Sebastian, Florida. Don has inspired many to create their own layouts, and he talks ...
Jan 31, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 22
We give Streamyard the night off as Mark Herrick does an in-person visit to the Around The Layout studio and tells us about his model railroading journey that has led to the BNSF Montana Division. Listen as Mark tells us about how trips to Montana in his teenage years formed his love of the Burlington Northern and how a trip to “The Mall” sparked his interest in model railroading. Mark also shares how membership in the NMRA led him to a network of great model railroaders and even greater friends...
Jan 17, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 21
With all of the holiday decorations put away, there's one more big event to look forward to, and that's the 2023 Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show. With over 350 exhibitors and 50 operating layouts filling four buildings at the Eastern States Exposition, this is an event that cannot be missed! We grab hold of a very busy John Sacerdote, Show Director, and get a history lesson on the show before previewing the must see vendors, layouts, clinics and events and providing tips on getting t...
Jan 16, 2023•47 min
We’re off to the Sunshine State for a visit to Sebastian, the town that might become the capital of model railroading in Florida, and meet up with John Farrington. We learn how his grandfather helped light his youthful passion for model trains and how he rediscovered the hobby through content on YouTube. John talks about creating his own YouTube channel and by doing so, is paying forward the knowledge he’s obtained. Additionally, we learn how John met fellow resident Don Irace and the role he’s ...
Jan 03, 2023•58 min•Ep. 20
On this episode, we head down to Decatur, Texas and head above the garage to check out Dean Ferris’ Oregon Joint Line in N scale. Dean tells us how railfanning as a youth and as a college student played a major role in his decision to model the Pacific Northwest. He also discusses how his current layout has changed and the lessons he’s learned along the way. Additionally, Dean shares how he’s met Chris Atkins, Greg McComas, Chris Palmieri and many others that have become regulars at his operatin...
Dec 20, 2022•1 hr 5 min•Ep. 18
It’s Santa Fe All The Way on this episode of Around The Layout as we talk to Oklahoma’s own Sammy Carlile about his Santa Fe Hereford Subdivision HO scale layout. We learn how train trips as a kid fostered Sammy’s love for trains and especially the Santa Fe. We also hear about his passion for railroad photography; the challenges of pre-digital photography that we may have forgotten about and how these captures became a great resource for modeling. Additionally, we learn how his son Samuel has ta...
Dec 06, 2022•1 hr 29 min•Ep. 18
On Thanksgiving Eve 2022, I went live on Facebook and YouTube to express my thanks to the many folks who have made Around The Layout possible. Here's the recording of that event. Find out why I don't do the podcast live as I stumble through without a whole lot of notes but with a lot of appreciation for those who have contributed to the show. Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com...
Nov 24, 2022•33 min
What do you get when you combine an art teacher with a love of model railroading? You get Tom Johnson and a spectacular layout filled with super detailed scenes that tell the story of the late 70's in northern Indiana. Listen as Tom tells about growing up around the prototype and how it has influenced him to create a freelance story of his own on a layout perfectly sized for simple, yet realistic operations. Tom also shares the backstory of his recent article in the October 2022 Railroad Model C...
Nov 22, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 17
For the November edition of What's Happening In Model Railroading, we take a (virtual) trip to Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada to Otter Valley Railroad and talk to owner Lorne James. Lorne tells us about his family owned shop and how it started as a young man's dream and became one of the premier model railroad retailers in Canada. Lorne also tells how Otter Valley is expanding into the manufacturing business with their first line of cars, and takes us through his process of meticulous research to ...
Nov 15, 2022•53 min
While most know Bloomfield Connecticut's John Sacerdote as the well dressed Show Director of the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show, this episode focuses on John the layout owner as we explore his Berlin, Bangor and Maine layout. John talks about how a trip to an iconic Hartford Connecticut department store ignited a lifelong love affair with model trains that has lasted to this day. Learn more about the Amherst Railway Society here: http://amherstrail.org/ Check out our website: www....
Nov 08, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 16
On this episode, we head back to the Lone Star State and talk to Greg McComas, owner of the Michigan Interstate St. Clair Subdivision and MAC Rail Products. Greg fills us in on how the idea for his freelance railroad developed, then shares how he's implemented his vision on his double deck layout. We also learn how MAC Rail was born out of a necessity to create niche parts and has grown to supplying those hard to find modern details. Like and follow the Michigan Interstate on Facebook: https://w...
Oct 25, 2022•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 15
There are some folks who aren’t afraid to take on a challenge, and Scott Thornton is one of them. Join us as Scott tells how he’s not only building his first layout, but also writing about it in an ongoing series in the hobby’s leading publication, Railroad Model Craftsman. Scott also shares his passion for enhancing operations with takeaways from the fantasy board gamer world and how he’s developing a theatre aspect to his layout. From his involvement with Iowa Scaled Engineering and his own Sc...
Oct 11, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 14
There wasn't a What's Happening in Model Railroading episode in September, so we needed the right guy to get us back on the rails, and that guy is none other than the editor of Model Railroad News, Tony Cook. Tony's notebook was full of what seems to be a flood of new product releases and he highlights quite a few, including offerings from Rapido, Walthers, Diecast Masters, Broadway Limited, ExactRail and much more. Subscribe to Model Railroad News and get all the latest happenings in the hobby ...
Oct 10, 2022•56 min
In this episode of Around The Layout, we go deep into the vivid imagination of Chris Palmieri and learn about the alternate railroading reality he has created in the freelance world of "The Meridian Speedway." Chris talks about the how he, from an early age, has been developing his own model railroad story based on his deep and growing knowledge of prototype operations. You'll learn how this has led to the creation of Home Shops, LLC and how his new venture helps spread not only his story but th...
Sep 27, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 13
They say “everything is bigger in Texas” and Chris Atkins’ Sheridan and Everywhere West HO Scale Layout is beginning to live up to it. Chris tells us how he came to own his former Texas & Pacific section house and shares his progress as he brings his proto-freelance empire to life. He also talks about his role in the upcoming 2023 Texas Express NMRA National Convention and how that’s adding some pressure to have the layout ready for tours and operations. HO Scale Sheridan and Everywhere West...
Sep 13, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 12
Illinois’ own Isaac Fabris climbs aboard and tells us about his CN/IC Heyworth Spur and the events that led up to him modeling his hometown railroad. Isaac shares his thoughts on layout design and gives helpful tips to those just starting out in the planning process. Check out the CN/IC Heyworth Spur Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/607099757235527 Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout Send us an email: aroundthelayout@...
Aug 30, 2022•57 min•Ep. 11
On our first “What’s Happening in Model Railroading” show, we catch up with a very busy Tony Cook, Editor of Model Railroad News. Tony tells us about some of the exciting product announcements at the St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet and the National Train Show at the Gateway 2022 NMRA National Convention. Ray and Tony also talk about the explosion of “cottage industry” manufacturers and the positive impact they are having on the hobby. Subscribe to Model Railroad News: https://modelrai...
Aug 23, 2022•54 min
Dave Oppedisano joins us to talk about his BNSF Lakeside Subdivision layout. Ray and Dave met at the New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet in Springfield MA, and they discuss this event and Dave's presentation during NERPM. Dave tells us about the Lakeside Sub area and the parts he's incorporating into his layout. He also shares advice about choosing backdrop materials and shares his passion for all things electronics. Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com Follow us on ...
Aug 16, 2022•53 min•Ep. 10
Dan Dossa joins us from Eden Prairie, Minnesota to tell us about his Minnesota Commercial HO scale switching layout. Dan shares his progression in the hobby and how the prototype aligned perfectly for model railroad operations. Dan also talks about his involvement in the Twin Cities Division of the NMRA and their outstanding podcast, TCD Crossing Gate. Listen to Dan and the crew at the TCD Crossing Gate here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1429390 Learn more about the Twin Cities Division of the NMR...
Aug 02, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 9
NMRA Nutmeg Division Superintendent Jeff Hanke stops by to tell us about the upcoming Connecticut Yankee Regional Convention. Jeff previews the events that will be taking place September 15th-18th at the Marriott Hartford/Windsor Airport Hotel in Windsor, Connecticut. For more information or to register, visit https://ner-conventions.org/connecticut-yankee Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.co...
Aug 01, 2022•27 min•Ep. 9
Joe Musgrove shares his path from modeling in N scale to his current HO scale Missouri Pacific Railroad Central Division layout. Joe talks about the challenges in changing scales, and discusses his methods for researching the prototype. He also tells us about his growing YouTube channel and how he's giving back to the community he's learned from by sharing tip and techniques he's learned. Joe's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3aKrXCVuCbYLBmXqygQINw/videos Check out our website...
Jul 19, 2022•1 hr 8 min•Ep. 8
It's a trip back to the late 1940's as Chris Adams talks about how his passion for NYNH&H history has driven him to model New Haven's Connecticut Valley line in HO. Chris shares the collaborative effort from a large circle of friends that has made The Valley Local not only a great layout to operate, but a trip back in time as it tells the story of post WWII railroading. Chris also shares his impressions of the recently visited Franklin & South Manchester and his takeaways from the recent...
Jul 05, 2022•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 7
Joe Mammay joins Ray Arnott as they celebrate 2000 downloads of the podcast by reading some of the emails sent in by the listeners. Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Jun 28, 2022•21 min
Painter and model railroader Kevin Gallagher tells us about Hopedale Shops and how he has created a plethora of beautiful custom locomotives for customers and for himself. He shares some of the techniques he uses in creating accurate and highly detailed products. Kevin also shares how he worked his way into becoming an engineer on the Hobo and Winnipesaukee Railroads. Check out Hopedale Shops on Facebook: fb.com/hopedaleshops Kevin highly recommends Highball Graphics: https://highballgraphics.co...
Jun 21, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 6
On this episode of Around The Layout, we talk to Kyle LeBlanc, who models the 1950's Boston & Maine in HO scale. Kyle tells us how he chose the B&M, talks about the influence his late father Ron had on his modeling and how he's incorporating structures from his dad's layout into his own. Ray and Kyle share lessons from their late friend on kit bashing and never fearing cutting a structure to make it work and review their recent trip to George Sellios' Franklin and South Manchester layout...
Jun 07, 2022•52 min•Ep. 5
