'Tis the season for twinkling lights, but the ones we're talking about aren't on a Christmas tree. They are the LED's that bring remarkable realism to your layout in the form of lighted vehicles and details from East Coast Circuits. Business Manager Neal Multz from ECC joins Tony and Ray to share the latest from this Rhode Island based company, including their upgrades to fire trucks, pickups, construction barrels and more. Later, Tony tells us about new releases from Bachmann, Rapido Trains, MA...
Dec 17, 2024•48 min•Ep. 136
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released March 12, 2024 Keeping a long family tradition of railroading, Allen Whitaker comes by to tell us about how, from a young age, he was exposed to the prototype, particularly the Southern Railway which inspired his freelance Tennessee Southern Railway. Allen shares how his career as a railroader has affected operations on his layout, and how knowing too much can be a challenge as a model railroader. Later, Allen shares his experience with having the Tennessee Sout...
Dec 16, 2024•1 hr 5 min
You don't need a massive layout to create long lasting and enjoyable operations. That's the message Paul Cassar delivers on this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace as he describes his River Belt Line HO scale switching layout. Paul tells us how he's centered operations around a freelance concept involving 3 fallen flag railroads and the cornerstone industry of a brewery. Paul also talks switchlists and how he's turned them into a hobby within the hobby. Learn more about this episode on our we...
Dec 10, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 135
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released February 27, 2024 In our past interviews, we've found that freelance model railroaders have amazing stories to tell and Tim Garland is no exception. On this episode, Tim tells us how he got started in the hobby and how at 14 years old, his mind was made up about becoming a railroader. Tim shares how the story of the Seaboard Central was developed, how it's a form of protest against changes he's observed in the railroad industry, and how the second version of the...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 3 min
It's a pure joy to meet modelers from around the globe and explore their why. On this episode, we're introduced to Justin Mitchell from Sydney, Australia who, from a young age, has been fascinated with the Santa Fe and is recreating the 1950's Surf Line. Justin tells us how, from thousands of miles and decades away, learned about this California coast line and applied it to his layout. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/134 Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring ...
Dec 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 134
ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released February 6, 2024 How did a Brit decide to model an American railroad? Blame it on Budweiser! That's one of the things we learn on this episode of Around The Layout as we chat with Steve McEwen about his model railroading journey and how his trips to the United States influenced his choice to model the New York & Atlantic Railway in a freelance way that addresses his wants in an operating layout. We also learn the why behind Steve's YouTube channel, T...
Dec 02, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Ever been to someone's layout and said "I have that exact kit!" Perhaps it's time to make your layout industries unique to you and your layout with a more prototypical approach. Kevin Tully of Tully Models tells us how, from learning more about industries such as grain and feed mills, then taking what you've learned and adding it to your facilities. We also find a common theme in the answers submitted for the Question Of The Month. Learn more about today's episode on our website: aroundthelayout...
Nov 26, 2024•1 hr 14 min•Ep. 133
ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released January 30, 2024 Want proof that the hobby isn't dying and young folks are into model railroading? Allow us to present, once again, Isaac Fabris and his CN/IC Heyworth Spur. It's been quite a while, so we were overdue for an update and Isaac brings us up to speed on the changes he's made on his layout and how changing his era has allowed him to narrow his focus, keep what he loves, but set up guardrails that keeps him from buying all of the latest locomo...
Nov 25, 2024•53 min
The holiday season is fast approaching and it's time to get your wish list ready. On this episode of What's Happening In Model Railroading, we talk to Mike and Jeff Zucker from Spring Creek Model Trains to find out what should be in your letter to Santa and discuss how to buy the right train set for the enthusiastic child to keep them engaged. Later, Tony and I talk about new releases from Rapido, InterMountain, Broadway Limited and more. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthela...
Nov 19, 2024•52 min•Ep. 132
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released January 23, 2024 Neil Schofield and his CP Rail's Newport & Lyndonville Subdivision has been our guest wish list since the start of the podcast, so when Neil reached out to be on the podcast, there was quite the celebration! Before telling us about his amazing layout, Neil tells us about his start in model railroading and forcing the transition era on his dad's steam era layout and how road trips to the northernmost parts of New England planted the seed for ...
Nov 18, 2024•1 hr 5 min
It's been nearly two years to the day since we last had Sammy Carlile on Around The Layout Podcast and considering the amazing amount of things to talk about with his Santa Fe Hereford Subdivision, that's completely unacceptable! Making up for lost time, he's our guest for this month's Talking Ops with Don Irace, where Sammy shared how he developed his operating scheme, runs a whole bunch of trains, and keeps his operating crew busy and on their toes. Learn more about this episode on our website...
Nov 12, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 131
ATLP Rewind - Originally Relased December 26, 2023 Author and professional model railroad builder Lance Mindheim returns to Around The Layout with a couple of new books tucked under his arm. Since the last time he appeared, he's released two new "how and why" books, 8 Track Plans For Modern Era Swiching Layouts and Scenery For Modern Switching Layouts. Lance shares with us the motivation for writing and takes an opportunity to tell us more about his former East Rail layout, The Downtown Spur, an...
Nov 11, 2024•50 min
We all know Rapido Trains for their high quality models, but how about books? On this special What's Happening In Model Railroading, Tony Cook and I sit down with Jason Shron of Rapido Trains to talk books, including the newly released "The Cars of VIA Heritage Fleet Volume 1." Jason shares his passion for VIA passenger cars and tells us how he's become involved with the preservation of Canadian passenger equipment. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/130 Thank you ...
Nov 05, 2024•36 min•Ep. 130
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released January 9, 2024 On this episode of Around The Layout, we check in with Paul Cassar. Paul's not only the Executive Producer of Around The Layout; he's quite the modeler and he provides us with updates on his River Belt Line HO scale layout located in his garage in New South Wales, Australia. Paul talks about scratchbuilding, weathering, and super detailing the layout and how his choice to keep the layout relatively small has provided the time to drill into the de...
Nov 04, 2024•1 hr 1 min
They say that music can bring people together, and, in the case of Joey Giunto, it can also lead to meeting your model railroad mentor. On this episode of Around The Layout, Joey shares his model railroading journey and how a music gig led him to meeting a great friend and how they lifted each other up in the hobby. Joey also shares how, after his mentor's passing, he keeps his memory alive through his modeling efforts. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/129 Thank ...
Oct 29, 2024•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 129
ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released January 2, 2024 After hosting myself and fellow podcasters Andy Dorsch and Tom Gasior on his TSG Live Talking Trains, it was great to have John Abatecola stop by the Around The Layout studio. John tells us about his hobby within the hobby; creating videos to share his model railroading and prototype adventures with the masses. He talks about his work with Jack Burgess and how filming trains is so much better than a funeral! Learn more about today's episo...
Oct 28, 2024•1 hr 3 min
Layout Command Control - it sounds cool, but what exactly is it? On this episode of ATLP, Dave Barraza tells us the basics of LCC, how the standard was developed and, most importantly, how it can help bring our layouts to life. Dave shares how he's using LCC on his layout and how it compares to the electronics used on the prototype. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/128 Enter for a chance to win a free t-shirt - email aroundthelayout@gmail.com and put "show notes"...
Oct 22, 2024•51 min•Ep. 128
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released December 12, 2023 Meet Campbell Rice, a man who has moved more times than the Raiders football team, but has carried his passion for model railroading with him along the way. Campbell takes us along on the journey through several states and multiple layout builds, leading to his recent move back to Tennessee and the development of the freelanced Tennessee Western Railway HO scale layout. It's a story of perseverance that you don't want to miss. Learn more about ...
Oct 21, 2024•1 hr 6 min
Christopher Palomarez from InterMountain Railway Co joined Tony and I from somewhere along the road in Colorado to share the latest on the projects being churned out of Longmont. Chris shares some insight on the process of creating factory weathered cars with pad printing plus updates on some upcoming releases. Later, Tony and Ray discuss news out of Walthers, Rapido, Division Point and more. Learn more about today's episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/127 Thank you to our episode sponso...
Oct 15, 2024•54 min•Ep. 127
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released November 14, 2023 One of the most memorable stops during the whirlwind week of the Texas Express 2023 NMRA National Convention was the visit to Devin Jackson & Family's Mesquite Belt, located about 2 hours south of Fort Worth in the town of Palestine. Joining me on the trip were Don Irace and Mark Herrick and on arrival, we were amazed to see a depot building in the backyard containing a large and well done HO scale layout. On this episode, we talk about tha...
Oct 14, 2024•1 hr 8 min
Drew James, owner of the Canada Spokane & Pacific, made his return to the ATLP studio, picking up where he left off from last July. Drew tells us about how the operations on his layout have evolved, his efforts to keep things fresh for his group of operators and answers the question, "why is there a wye?" Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/126 Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains: https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/ Thank you to our e...
Oct 08, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 126
Kevin Leddy joins us to talk about the 4th Annual Red River RPM being held in Forest Hill, TX October 25-26th. Kevin tells us how this RPM started, inspired by two very popular prototype modelers meets. He also tells us what you can expect to see, including a rundown of clinics, vendors, and the free-mo modular setups. Kevin also shares his passion for free-mo and tells us about the Red River Run Free-Mo event taking place in Elk City, Oklahoma in May 2025. Learn more about this episode on our w...
Oct 07, 2024•36 min•Ep. 124
On this episode of Around The Layout Podcast, we talk to model railroad product reviewer and author Ryan Crawford. Ryan provides us with an inside look into his process for writing reviews, including the prototype research, evaluating details, and sharing what you need to know to make an educated purchasing decision. Ryan and Ray also chat about the amazing advances in today's models and what they would like to see more of. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/123 Th...
Oct 01, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 123
Model railroad show season is in full swing on the top half of the equator, and, in the northeast, the Nashua Valley Railroad Association's Railfair 2024 kicks things off. NVRRA members Thomas Fitzgerald and Peter D'Olimpio come by to tell us about their club, how they are building an incredibly large layout in Shirley, Massachusetts and how Railfair 2024 helps fund the good they are doing in the model railroad community. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/125 Than...
Sep 30, 2024•35 min•Ep. 125
On this episode of Around The Layout, we head to New Jersey and talk to Ralph Heiss, owner of the Lehigh Valley Harbor Terminal HO scale layout and frequent operator of quite a few great layouts in the Garden State. Ralph tells us how he got started in the hobby and how he was operating at great layouts by the age of 17. He also shares how he researched the Lehigh Valley, his passion for the history and ghost railroading and how to make good use of free time gifted by a hurricane derived power o...
Sep 24, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 122
Up on this side of the equator, the weather is cooling down and the model railroad events are heating up! Dan Riechenbach of the Hawkeye Model Railroad Club stops by the ATLP studio to tell us about the Iowa City Train Show on October 20, 2024. Dan shares a history of the club, their recent move to a new building and how the show helps support their new build. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/121 Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Sup...
Sep 23, 2024•26 min•Ep. 121
More and more, we find out that the folks at these fine model railroad manufactuers are hobbyists just like us, and this episode of What's Happening In Model Railroad is no exception. Jordan Smith joins Tony and Ray to tell a bit about himself, his start in the hobby and how he's worked his way up from working in a hobby shop in Toronto to wearing multiple hats for Rapido Trains. Later in the episode, Tony and Ray discuss new releases from Atlas, Walthers, ScaleTrains and more. Learn more about ...
Sep 17, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 120
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released November 28, 2023 It's late November, but we're still talking about late August and the 2023 NMRA National Convention in Texas. During that week, I was fortunate enough to visit the outstanding layout of Mike Armstrong and it was a thrill to talk to him tonight about how his Rock Island Mid-Continent Route came to fruition. Mike shares the story of growing up in Iowa and the many influences during his youth that led to a successful prototype and model railroad j...
Sep 16, 2024•1 hr 2 min
We head back to Tim Garland's Seaboard Central to cover what we didn't get to when we interviewed him the first time; operations on his freelance railroad. Don and I learn quite a bit from Tim, who's experience with the real railroad has provided him with a plethora of knowledge that he uses to create realistic operations on his freelance layout. Learn more about this episode on our website: aroundthelayout.com/119 Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains: https://www.springcr...
Sep 10, 2024•58 min•Ep. 119
ATLP Rewind - Originally Released October 31, 2023 Freelance model railroader and YouTuber Matt Forcum pays a virtual visit to the Around The Layout studio. Matt shares with us his model railroading journey that has includes stops in Lego and N scale on his way to HO scale and the Metaline Falls Railroad. He also tells us how he's using his MFRailroad YouTube channel to create a video journal of his layout build and share what he's learning along the way. In addition, his channel includes produc...
Sep 09, 2024•1 hr 7 min
