039: Teen Restoring a McKeen Railcar McKeen Railcar – Madison Kirkman At the age of 15, Madison Kirkman embarked on a journey to save and restore one of the last remaining McKeen Motor Cars in existence. Now 17, he shares his journey with us and what it will take to bring the ‘Cuyamaca’ back to the rails. To learn more about this fascinating project, visit McKeencar.com . Question of the Day (47:05) What is your favorite self-propelled railcar? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in ...
Apr 24, 2016•49 min
Photos by Nick Ozorak and Grand Canyon Railway CMO Eric Hadder. Want to ride a train to the Grand Canyon? Grand Canyon Railway CMO Eric Hadder talks about the trip you’ll experience, the historic nature of their steam locomotives, the return of #29, and how he entered the railroad industry. Grand Canyon Railway & Hotel The railway operates a daily train from Williams Arizona to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, traveling over 64 miles of what was once the Santa Fe Railway. Their typical mot...
Mar 26, 2016•49 min
Western Maryland Scenic Railroad locomotive number 734 pulls a train down the hill from Frostburg, Maryland. Photo by Darkweasel94. Where steam has reigned for two decades, Gen. Superintendant John Garner shares the details about maintaining and operating locomotive #734, restoring C&O 1309, and how their foundation works to connect people to the industry. Western Maryland Scenic Railroad John Garner. Photo by Joe Goodrich. John has a career with both mainline and shortline railroads spannin...
Mar 12, 2016•34 min
Photos courtesy of Surprised Stare Games and Bert Kaufmann. Snowdonia: Railway Board Game What does it take to design a board game about building a railway? Game Designer Tony Boydell talks about his game Snowdonia, how it was inspired by a real cog railway, and how these games bring railway history to life. Buy the game: http://amzn.to/21sz1PH Learn more: Question of the Day (42:52) What is your favorite railroad board or card game? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next ep...
Feb 28, 2016•46 min
Photographs courtesy of John Suscheck/Ozark Mountain Railcar. Ozark Mountain Railcar How do you sell a passenger car? We talk with John Suscheck, Founder and CEO of Ozark Mountain Railcar, about being a railroad equipment broker, the challenges and rewards of buying this equipment, and how the phases of the moon affect sales. Be sure to visit their website to see what they have available. This episode marks our First Anniversary of the show. No matter if you’ve been listening for one week or one...
Feb 06, 2016•38 min
Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart What does it take to run a hobby store in the 21st Century? John Kavulich, President of Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart in Cheektowaga NY, joins us to discuss the triumphs and trials of the business. We visit the store in-person, hear from customer Esh Estarfaa and employee Al Plant, and interview John in his office! Question of the Day (39:43) What is your favorite memory of visiting a hobby store? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode...
Jan 23, 2016•42 min
Sodor Island Forums admin Ryan Hagan poses with Thomas the Tank Engine at the premiere of ‘Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure’. Photo provided by Ryan Hagan. Thomas the Tank Engine & Rail Preservation Thomas the Tank Engine is beloved by millions of children around the world, but we tend to think of it solely as a ‘kid’s show’. Today, we talk with Ryan Hagan, administrator for the Sodor Island Forums, about how The Railway Series was based in actual British railway history, how it has helpe...
Nov 14, 2015•46 min
Are you ready for a steam-powered adventure? We’re attending Strasburg Rail Road’s Steampunk unLimited weekend to learn more about the Steampunk culture and the many ways it connects to railroading. This episode includes interviews with performers, vendors, and convention attendees, as well as the sounds of steam locomotives hard at work! To learn more about the Strasburg Rail Road and its team, check out these interviews below: Linn W. Moedinger – President Andrea Biesecker – Assistant Contract...
Nov 01, 2015•1 hr 16 min
Chris shares how his love of trains led him to create Steam Locos in Profile, why he enjoys presenting on-camera, and how he successfully crowdfunded his Season 1 DVD . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-AKdB7S4LU This episode is sponsored by the Strasburg Rail Road. Click here to learn more about their upcoming Steampunk unLimited event! Question of the Day (50:34) What is (or was) your hometown railroad? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on iTunes , ...
Oct 10, 2015•53 min
Train ME-1 leaves Meadville to work on the Oil City Branch. Photo by Nick Ozorak. Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad – President Carl Belke talks with us about his 40+ year career in the railroad industry, including his tenure at the Delaware & Hudson, why he prefers ALCOs, and how the WNYP participated in the 2010 movie ‘Unstoppable’. This episode is sponsored by the Strasburg Rail Road. Click here to learn more about their upcoming Steampunk unLimited event! News We discuss recen...
Sep 26, 2015•57 min
Jointed Rail – Founder Mike Cyr Train simulators are serious(ly fun) business. Mike Cyr, head of two train sim development companies (Jointed Rail and Crosstie Studios), joins us to discuss his history with producing content for Trainz Railroad Simulator, what he enjoys about being self-employed in the hobby, and what the team at Crosstie Studios is working to put into their new train simulator. Question of the Day (31:09) What would you like to see in a train simulator? Let me know and I will r...
Sep 12, 2015•33 min
261 is back on the move just north of Le Claire. Photo by Nathan D. Holmes. Milwaukee Road 261 – Steve Sandberg The Chief Operating Officer of the Friends of the 261 (owners of steam locomotive Milwaukee Road 261) joins us to talk about the history of preserving this locomotive, its role in the film ‘Public Enemies’, and how he got to meet President Bill Clinton on a train! Question of the Day (47:55) If you could ride in a private rail car with anyone past or present, who would it be, and why? ...
Aug 15, 2015•50 min
Nickel Plate 765 works its way north to Ashtabula. Photo by Justin Calvin. 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, 765 Crew (Rob Kramer, Nick...
Aug 01, 2015•1 hr 46 min
Strasburg Rail Road – Andrea Biesecker 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 summer halfway over, what have you accomplished, and what are yo...
Jul 24, 2015•47 min
Rikki sits in the cab of Chehalis-Centralia #15. Photo courtesy of Trisha Duerr. 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 retired AEM-7 locomot...
Jul 11, 2015•38 min
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 stories that have come across his desk, the excitement regarding Norfolk & Western 611, and how the mag...
Jul 04, 2015•42 min
VRS 311 is on the tail end of Friday’s excursion returning to Rutland. Photo by Nick Ozorak. 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) ince I interviewed Directo...
Jun 28, 2015•28 min
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! Rocky Mountain Express – Director Stephen Low Stephen was interested in trains from an early age, volunteering at the Canadian Railway Museum in Montreal. Following his father into...
Jun 13, 2015•1 hr 29 min
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, what makes it “Royal”, 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 first excursion since 1994. The train traveled from Spencer NC to its homet...
Jun 06, 2015•59 min
Train 61 arrives in Johnstown to begin work on the Fonda Johnstown & Gloversville Railroad. 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 diesel...
May 30, 2015•46 min
“The Miserable Mile” on the Simpson Railroad, so named by the crews from enduring this last stretch of the trip; a slow, bouncy, flat mile of rail before reaching Mill 5. Photo by Joel Hawthorn. 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 ...
May 23, 2015•37 min
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 a curve limited to 50. The engineer is cooperating in the investigation, and the NTSB is investigating ...
May 17, 2015•44 min
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 hometown community, and how they plan to expand in the future! News Happy National Train Day! I hope you ha...
May 09, 2015•50 min
Photo courtesy of Kelly Lynch/American Steam Railroad. 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 their Office Car Specials to the races: Norfolk S...
May 02, 2015•53 min
ATRRM Conference attendees relax at Hanover Jct. while visiting Steam Into History. 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 locomotive is in tra...
Apr 25, 2015•42 min
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 talks 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 celebrated. News After visiting Washington D.C., I rode Amtrak’s Capitol Limited back to my hom...
Apr 18, 2015•48 min
#611 powers an excursion through Georgia one evening in 1992. Photo by James G. Howes. 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 how he was involved with the 2002 Winter Olympics. News This past Tuesday (March 31) the Fire Up 611 team…well… fired up 611 . The boiler mai...
Apr 04, 2015•44 min
Casey Thomason (center,kneeling) Norfolk Southern employees, and other crew members pose with the NS Heritage Units in Spencer, NC. Photo by Nick Ozorak. 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 location or field of work. Chris Tokarcik Interview Having qualified ...
Mar 29, 2015•36 min
NS 9946 races through Cassandra, PA. Photo by Nick Ozorak. 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 location or field of work. News The Boulder Valley Railway Historical Society is calling it a day and selling their railroad equipment. You can check out the list o...
Mar 28, 2015•49 min
Leviathan rests for the night at Train Festival 2011 in Rock Island. Photo by Nick Ozorak. 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 is something...
Mar 21, 2015•44 min
