Cass Scenic Railroad is a gem of a tourist railroad in West Virginia. Director of Communications Walter Scriptunas II talks about the history of the line, how they keep their steam logging locomotives operational, and what the future holds with their rebuilt rail connection between Durbin and Cass. Cover photo by Walter Scriptunas II. More podcast episodes: https://theroundhousepodcast.com Thank you to our sponsor: https://mechanical.strasburgrailroad.com/ Related Episodes Mount Rainier Scenic R...
Jan 24, 2023•36 min
Do you remember watching Pentrex? The company produced many hour-long videos showcasing different railroads around the continent. One consistent and crucial element of these was the narrator who would describe the history and scenes unfolding. Dave Drui is that narrator, and he talks with us about how he became involved with these productions and why they have made him appreciate trains and railroads even more. Related Episodes Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad Visiting Norfolk & Western 611 at ...
Dec 27, 2022•29 min
At 102 years old, Art Ellis shares many memories from living in Pittsburgh, riding trolleys, working for Pittsburgh Railways, and helping to found the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum. Related Episodes The Scrapper who Saved Steam Railroad Photographers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg Question of the Day What’s your favorite piece of trolley or interurban history? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one per...
Nov 16, 2022•36 min
We’re continuing to trade spaces with the California State Railroad Museum. Coordinator of Exhibits and Interpretive Programs Kim Whitfield shares some highlights of their impressive collection, how they are embracing digital tools to showcase it, and the significance of storytelling in railroad history. Related Episodes Railroad Photographers Beebe & Clegg Railroads Online Question of the Day What’s your favorite piece of California Railroad history? Let me know and I will respond to your c...
Oct 21, 2022•41 min
Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad is returning to operation. Western Forest Industries Museum Executive Director Bethan Maher shares her vision of reopening the railroad, how it can represent the history of the Pacific Northwest, and why it’s important to so many people. Learn more about the relaunch on their new website . Related Episodes Saving the Last Logging Railroad Simpson Lumber Co. Question of the Day If you’ve been to Mount Rainier Scenic Railroad, what was your experience like? If not, wh...
Sep 15, 2022•49 min
We are “trading spaces” with the California State Railroad Museum’s “The Roundhouse Crosstalk Podcast” by featuring their episode on noted railroad photographers Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg. Tony Reevy, author of “The Railroad Photography of Lucius Beebe and Charles Clegg,” discusses their impact on railroad photography and publishing and how they managed to maintain a gay relationship in the 1940s and 50s. Related Episodes O. Winston Link Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway Questio...
Aug 17, 2022•52 min
How does one use railroading in meaningful ways to make people happy and strengthen communities? Ken Marty, President of West Coast Railroaders Group, discusses how his company uses speeder cars for everything from fire suppression to partnering with the Make a Wish Foundation to provide children with unforgettable experiences. Related Episodes Port Jervis Transportation History Center God’s Wonderful Railway Question of the Day What is an event or organization (doesn’t have to be related to rai...
Jul 21, 2022•57 min
The Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train is a premiere dining experience in New Hampshire. Owners Ali and Michael French are here to describe the experience of dining on rails, explain how they prepare meals on the train itself, and share why they enjoy being in the business. You can learn more about the Cafe Lafayette Dinner Train here . Related Episodes Private Car Owner Bob Lowe American Association of Private Rail Car Owners Question of the Day What’s the best experience you’ve had dining on a train?...
Jun 22, 2022•34 min
Background photo by Argo Flight. Port Jervis NY will soon be home to the Port Jervis Transportation History Center. Carolyn Hoffman, President of Operation Toy Train, discusses this new site, what it means for rail preservation in the region, and what you can expect to see at their upcoming launch event! To learn more about the Port Jervis Transportation History Center, visit their website ! Related Episodes The Next Generation of Railroad Publishers Steel City Limited Adventure Question of the ...
May 25, 2022•51 min
What does it take to create an entire musical album on a train? Musician and composer Cheryl B. Engelhardt created her latest album “The Passenger” on a cross-country Amtrak adventure and shares her process with us. Learn more about Cheryl and her music here. Related Episodes Wick Moorman – Amtrak CEO Amtrak and its Heritage Question of the Day What music do you associate with a great train journey? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts ...
Apr 19, 2022•49 min
We talk with Kelly Lynch about his involvement in Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society, Headwaters Jct., and FMW Solutions, along with the importance of inclusivity and looking out for others. Related Episode Joliet Rocket Nickel Plate 765 Adventure Question of the Day What makes you feel part of a team in a railroad organization? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember t...
Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 15 min
Photo by Dr. Robin Coombes. Dr. Robin Coombes returns to the podcast to discuss earning his Ph. D in Railway Heritage from the University of Birmingham and the thesis he developed as part of his program. He shares the successes and shortcomings of rail preservation in the UK and what he believes is necessary to solidify its future. Check out the new Patreon tiers ! Train photos available for print: https://streamlinermedia.com/store Related Episodes Robin Coombes, Railway Photographer Learning f...
Feb 16, 2022•1 hr 9 min
A rare auto carrier caboose from the Auto-Train is in danger of being scrapped. FLAIRR President Mark Frazier explains how his organization is campaigning to save the car and transport it from California to Florida. Learn more about how you can save this car: https://flairr.org/ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post MINI 07: Saving Auto-Train #3 appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast ....
Feb 07, 2022•19 min
The Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway is one of the sole-surviving “Maine Two Foot” railroads. Director of Marketing & Visitor Interaction Coordinator Stephen Piwowarski discusses the restoration of the railway, their current projects, and what has led to their successes. Train photos available for print: https://streamlinermedia.com/store Related Episodes Railroads Online East Broad Top Railroad Question of the Day What’s your favorite narrow gauge railroad? Let me know and I wi...
Jan 19, 2022•58 min
In its first two months on the market, Railroads Online has generated a great deal of interest for its multiplayer gameplay, mixture of business management and operations, and focus on steam and narrow gauge railroading. We talk to the developers of this new game about their process and how they would like to expand its capabilities. Railroads Online Screenshots Related Episodes Historical Train Simulation Approach Medium – Trainz Route Building Question of the Day What do you love about train s...
Dec 21, 2021•1 hr 16 min
Mike O’Donnell, composer for Thomas & Friends, joins us to discuss how he became involved with the TV series, his process for developing music that would fit the characters, collaborating with Junior Campbell, and what the legacy of the show means to him. Listen to Part 2 to hear more about the legacy of Thomas’ music and find out the Question of the Day! Related Episodes Thomas and Rail Preservation The Scrapper who Saved Steam Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least ...
Nov 17, 2021•52 min
What happens when a group of guys get together and say “We should build a Pennsylvania Railroad T1 from scratch”? General Manager Jason Johnson walks us through the history of the Pennsylvania Railroad T1 Trust project, the selection of the type of locomotive, and what it will take to get it running. Related Episodes Pennsylvania Railroad K4 Restoration Railroaders Memorial Museum Question of the Day What locomotive would you build from scratch? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in...
Oct 19, 2021•58 min
N&W 611 rests between runs in the yard at the Strasburg Rail Road. Come along for the ride as we visit N&W 611 during its 2021 visit to the Strasburg Rail Road. We’ll interview crew members regarding the operation of the locomotive and experience the sights and sounds of the engine as it rolls through the Lancaster countryside. This episode is sponsored by Streamliner Media , providing video and digital media services to the freight and rail preservation industries. Related Episodes Stra...
Sep 21, 2021•1 hr 7 min
Photo provided by Rick Kfoury. Steamtown National Historic Site is well known today, but what led to its creation? Who was F. Nelson Blount, and what exactly was his vision? Rick Kfoury, author of “Steam Trains of Yesteryear: The Monadnock, Steamtown & Northern Story”, shares this unique history with us, debunks myths, and draws parallels between rail preservation then and now. You can buy the book from here . Related Episodes The Great Train Robbery Steamtown National Historic Site Question...
Aug 17, 2021•1 hr 22 min
It’s time for those of us in rail preservation to put an end to sexism. Host Nick Ozorak released a survey for women to anonymously share their stories of sexism, harassment, and discrimination. We hear from these women, and Nick shares his thoughts on why fighting this ongoing systemic issue matters to the future of the industry. Survey Results Part 1 Survey Results Part 2 Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember that The Roundhouse is Our H...
Aug 03, 2021•12 min
What does passenger rail advocacy require? We talk with Christopher Parker, Executive Director of Vermont Rail Action Network, about what is helping passenger rail expand in Vermont and how the ‘hybrid’ Budd Cars of AllEarth Rail may be part of that future. Related Episodes: Amtrak and its Heritage Amtrak CEO Wick Moorman Question of the Day What commuter rail service has impressed you the most? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , sh...
Jul 20, 2021•48 min
The Railroaders Memorial Museum in Altoona PA has announced that they are initiating a campaign to restore Pennsylvania Railroad K4s #1361 to operation. Join us as we attend the press conference and ask Wick Moorman and FMW Solutions President Davidson Ward your questions! Learn more about the Railroaders Memorial Museum and Wick Moorman from our previous episodes. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The...
Jun 26, 2021•32 min
The Wisconsin Great Northern is restoring the Mark Twain Zephyr trainset, but there’s more to this operation than meets the eye. Director of Passenger Development Robert Tabern and CMO Nick Turinetti talk about this historic trainset, the railroad’s freight and car storage business, their Bed & Breakfast trains, and other pieces of equipment the railroad is restoring. Learn more about the Mark Twain Zephyr restoration . Related Episodes: CVSR Observation Car Adventure Museum of Science and I...
Jun 15, 2021•1 hr 14 min
What is LARP, and what does it have to do with rail preservation? Claus Raasted, an experienced organizer of Live Action Role Playing events, discusses what it is and how it “places you inside a movie”. He shares the history of the Fairweather Manor event which created a Downton Abbey-like world for a weekend for its participants, and why this could be applied to railroad history. Related Episodes: Steampunk unLimited WWII Train Battle Videos about LARP Question of the Day If you could experienc...
May 18, 2021•45 min
Scott Jarrett became the Chief Mechanical Officer of the Cincinnati Scenic Railway while under the age of 30. He reflects on his journey which includes time with the Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey Circus Train and Amtrak. He shares what makes Cincinnati Scenic Railway a special operation and what is needed to be taken seriously in rail preservation. Related Episodes: Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad Mighty Trains Question of the Day Where have you found success in rail preservation? Let me...
Apr 22, 2021•1 hr 10 min
God’s Wonderful Railway is a BBC TV series that tells the history of a Great Western Railway branch line through the perspective of children who lived and worked in each era. Avril Rowlands, the author and screenwriter for the series, joins us to discuss how the show is still impactful over 40 years after it originally aired and what goes into the process of creating historical fiction. See some clips from the show: Learn more about God’s Wonderful Railway from this video essay by Chris Eden Gre...
Feb 19, 2021•1 hr 6 min
Photo by Hillary Hess. The Lincoln Funeral Train returns to the podcast. General Superintendent Steve Torrico discusses the plans for this new railroad showcasing the Leviathan steam locomotive and how these replicas showcase 1860s railroad technology. Related Episodes David Kloke & Lincoln Funeral Car Steam into History Question of the Day What interests you about pre-1900s railroading? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share ...
Jan 13, 2021•58 min
Rail historian Steve Patterson explains the history of the Ski Train, a Colorado railroad legacy. We’re celebrating the train’s 80th Anniversary with Railfan and Railroad Magazine . Related Episodes CVSR Observation Car Adventure Iowa Pacific Hoosier State Question of the Day What is your favorite Holiday Train? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts , share this episode with at least one person today , and remember that The Roundhouse is...
Dec 16, 2020•44 min
Photos courtesy of Dutch Dutch Goose. What makes a tourist railroad or museum appealing to the general public? Elizabeth Newcamp, family blogger at Dutch Dutch Goose , shares stories about her family’s experiences with train travel and her Top 5 tips for tourist railroads and museums. Consider supporting the podcast on Patreon. Related Episodes The Joliet Rocket Museum of Science and Industry Question of the Day Besides the actual trains, what do you look for in a tourist railroad or museum? Let...
Nov 13, 2020•1 hr
We brought together past Roundhouse guests as chosen by you and asked them your questions. Amtrak Engineer Mike Huhn, Strasburg Rail Road Director of Business Development Andrea Biesecker, and East Broad Top Foundation Board Member Bennett Levin join us for our first group conversation on topics including mainline steam excursions, getting started at tourist railroads, and the rebirth of the East Broad Top. We’d like to thank today’s sponsor Age of Steam Roundhouse for supporting the show. Relat...
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr 10 min
