The Roundhouse

The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is a 140 mile short line located within North Carolina. Founder and Chairman Robert Menzies talks to us about his philosophy with establishing the railroad, how they transformed a locomotive into a “bar car”, and their plans with a recently acquired steam locomotive. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Mississippi Export Railroad American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Question of the Day What is your greatest rail experience, or an accomplishment you are proud of, from 2025? The post 161: Aberdeen Carolina & Western – Robert Menzies appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Did you know that Conrail still exists today? Though primarily known as a major Class I railroad in the Northeast US from the 70s to 90s, Conrail still exists as a shared asset operation jointly owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Current President Brian Gorton started with the pre-merger Conrail in the 80s. He shares his perspective on how Conrail has evolved, experiences from his time working for Union Pacific, and how he was involved with the George H. W. Bush Funeral Train. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman Women in Short Line Railroading Question of the Day What is an example of relatively modern railroad history (post-1980) that you find fascinating? The post 160: Conrail President Brian Gorton appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

R Duck Locomotive Works is a company specializing in creating laser-cut wooden kits depicting real locomotives and rolling stock. Founder and owner Tripp Aquadro talks about his inspiration for the business and how he develops his products. See his products on his website. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Walthers Trains Lionel Artist Angela Trotta Thomas Question of the Day Other than model railroading, what are your favorite train toys? The post 159: R. Duck Locomotive Works and Laser-Cut Wood Modeling appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

In 2027, America will mark the 200th anniversary of its railroading legacy—a transformative journey that began in 1827 with the laying of the first stone of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in Baltimore, Maryland. To honor this historic bicentennial, the B&O Railroad Museum is leading a nationwide, year-long celebration in collaboration with partners like Amtrak and CSX to spotlight the enduring impact of railroads on American industry, culture, and daily life. Executive Director Kris Hoellen discusses the projects at the museum, how their volunteers are revitalizing the buildings on their site, and why she sees the anniversary as a year for collaboration between heritage railroads and museums. You can learn more about the 200th Anniversary from their website. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Photo by Wallstreethotrod. Related Episodes National Railroad Museum Railroaders Memorial Museum Question of the Day What pieces of pre-1900 railroad history interest you the most? The post 158: B&O Railroad Museum appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Talyllyn Railway Media Manager Luke Ryan joins us to discuss how the railway has progressed since we last featured it on the podcast, the importance of interpreting the Rev. Awdry’s work, and why hosting meaningful events such as the Awdry Extravaganza for fans matters. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Talyllyn Railway (2015) Dr. Robin Coombes’ Thesis on Heritage Railways Question of the Day What makes you feel a sense of belonging with your railroad club, group, or organization? The post 157: Talyllyn Railway w/ Luke Ryan appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

What does operating a big mainline steam locomotive like Santa Fe 3751 on the west coast require? Alex Gillman, VP of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, joins us to talk about the work required to restore and operate the locomotive, along with how they are developing a museum. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Photo by Sean Lamb. Related Episodes Kelly Lynch: Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society Norfolk & Western 611 at the Strasburg Rail Road Question of the Day What impresses you about your favorite mainline steam organization? The post Santa Fe #3751 and San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is expanding its museum facilities. CEO Jacqueline Frank joins us to discuss the history of the museum, how they successfully transported their “Dwight D. Eisenhower” locomotive back to the UK for an event in 2014, and their approach to showcasing the national history of railroading in the United States. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Museum of the American Railroad Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Question of the Day What is a notable example of museums or heritage railroads collaborating to create a great event? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House!   The post 155: National Railroad Museum appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Chuck Baker, President of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, talks about the state of the short line railroading in early 2025, how the organization is involved in advocacy for the industry, and the growing trend of freight railroads entering tourist railroading. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Railroad Analyst Tony Hatch Mississippi Export Railroad Question of the Day What short line or regional railroad impresses you? The post 154: American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

The interviewer is interviewed! Guest host Kelly Lynch asks your questions for regular host Nick Ozorak about the history of the podcast, what continues to motivate his work, and why he is so optimistic about Next Generation Railroaders. Attend Next Generation Railroaders’ first virtual public programming. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Kelly Lynch Steampunk unLimited at the Strasburg Rail Road Question of the Day Are there any other questions you have for me, Nick Ozorak? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 10 Year Anniversary Special: Nick Ozorak appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

  Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst for ABH Consulting, provides us with a greater understanding of the financial landscape of Class I railroading in the 21st century. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman FRA Administrator Joe Szabo Question of the Day What are you excited for in 2025? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 152: Transportation Analyst Tony Hatch appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

  Host Nick Ozorak pays tribute to Britt Allcroft, creator of the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends TV series. He explores not just what her greatest contribution means to him, but what he see as some of its larger endearing outcomes. Related Episodes Thomas and Rail Preservation Mike O’Donnell: Thomas the Tank Engine Composer   The post In Memoriam: “Thomas & Friends” TV Creator Britt Allcroft appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Let’s learn more about the largest trolley museum in the United States. Scott Becker has been at the helm of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for over 30 years. In that time, the museum has grown by expanding its collection and constructing two massive buildings. Scott walks us through the history of the museum, how preserving trolleys differs from other forms of rail preservations, and what has led to the museum’s success. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes PA Trolley Museum Founder Art Ellis Steel City Limited Adventure Question of the Day What is your favorite railroad holiday memory? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 151: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Executive Director Scott Becker appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

        American Heritage Railways oversees such notable tourist railroads as the Durango & Silverton, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and Branson Scenic Railroad. Al Harper, Chairman and CEO, shares his decades of insight in what makes a tourist railroad function, how Polar Express has become such a staple in the industry, and the importance of balancing history with progress. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad Cass Scenic Railroad Question of the Day What tourist railroads and museums have balanced keeping their charm with progressing with the times? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 150: Al Harper and American Heritage Railways appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Loni Martz Briner, PR and Media for North Shore Railroad, talks about the history of this group of Pennsylvania short lines and how they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Women in Short Line Railroading Mississippi Export Railroad Question of the Day What railroad do you know of or work for that is good with connecting to its local communities? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 149: North Shore Railroad appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

  What is involved with leading the Federal Railroad Administration? Joe Szabo, the 12th FRA Administrator, discusses how he began his career in railroading, what led him to the FRA, his philosophy with working with Class I railroads, and how he is now involved in the development of Pullman National Historical Park. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman Steamtown National Historic Site Question of the Day Is there some special way that we should celebrate 10 years and 150 episodes of The Roundhouse? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 148: FRA Administrator Joe Szabo appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

What is it like to be at the helm of a railroad that has remained independent for over 100 years? Mississippi Export Railroad President Kate Bourgeois talks about the history of the railroad and how they invest in their company and community. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad Women in Short Line Railroading Question of the Day What is a railroad that has an impressive legacy? Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post Mississippi Export Railroad appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Bob LaPrelle, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Railroad, talks about moving their massive collection of locomotives from Dallas to Frisco, restoration of a rare ALCO PA-1, and the goals for their capital campaign. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Artwork by John Winfield. Related Episodes California State Railroad Museum Railroader’s Memorial Museum Question of the Day What is one particularly special interaction that you have had working or volunteering for a tourist railroad or museum? 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 person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 146: Museum of the American Railroad appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Join us for a conversation with Arkansas & Missouri Railroad President Caren Kraska, Cathcart Rail Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Vanessa Knapton, and Senior VP of Law and General Counsel for ASLRRA Sarah Yurasko. They discuss their careers in the short line railroad industry, how they are working to cultivate interest in the field, and where they are seeing opportunities for growth. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes WNYP General Manager Kylie McLaughlin Volunteering in Rail Preservation Panelists Carol Kraska Caren is the chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Arkansas and Missouri Railroad.  With over 18 years of railroad industry experience in operations, marketing and finance, she became chairman of the board effective April 2015.  Her railroad career began with Conrail in 1979 where she worked in the Mechanical Engineering Department, Marketing, Industrial Development, and Sales.  Under her leadership, the A&M has expanded transload and warehousing operations; she has also brought new customers to the railroad. Her diverse background and experience offers a fresh perspective on rail business development and customer service. The A&M values its customers and works diligently with them to find a shipping solution to meet their specific needs.  The Arkansas and Missouri Railroad is strategically located with a great potential to grow.  Safety is a critical component of the operation with ongoing reviews and safety program enhancements. With a continued focus on rail infrastructure integrity; a grant was awarded to upgrade three bridges, including the Arkansas River lift span bridge.  She is honored to have the opportunity to lead the Arkansas and Missouri team to focus on the continued safety of its team members, serving our customers, and improving our local community. Ms. Kraska is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering with an emphasis in transportation, and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stanford University. Vanessa Knapton Vanessa works for the largest independent railcar repair network in the US. She oversees the business development for Cathcart’s Field Services Division, where her teams function as car departments for short line railroads.  With over 50 partnerships to maintain, Knapton functions as the liaison between host railroads and the repair operating teams. Knapton started in the railroad industry as a switchman-conductor for the Santa Fe (later BNSF) in Los Angeles, California in 1994. She had graduated from Smith College with a bachelor’s degree in government and economics. Knapton worked for four years as a union operations employee and had her first two children. In 1998, Knapton was promoted to Assistant Trainmaster at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. As Trainmaster, Knapton helped design the operations systems at BNSF for the massive influx of container business in the first international intermodal boom from 2000 to its height in 2006. During her tenure as trainmaster, Knapton completed an MBA program with an emphasis on finance at Chapman University and had her third child. Knapton and BNSF parted ways in 2008 and Knapton worked in warehouse logistics and for a railroad shipper until she joined an early entrant in a niche market of the short line railroad railcar repair business in 2011. For the last dozen years, Knapton has worked for three of the largest running repair agent companies in the country and has established 25+ repair operations at railroads that previously did not have car inspection teams. Sarah Yurasko Sarah Yurasko is Sr. Vice President Law & General Counsel with the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). In this position, she advises on all legal matters for ASLRRA and represents the short line industry nationally on policy matters. Prior to ASLRRA, she worked at the Association of American Railroads as Assistant General Counsel, focusing on safety law issues. She previously worked at Amtrak on high-speed rail planning and policy development. She started her career as a trial attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel at the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). While at the FRA, Ms. Yurasko completed the Executive Potential Program through the Graduate School USA, a leadership development program that provides training and developmental experiences for high potential employees. She earned a JD from American University’s Washington College of Law and an MA in International Affairs from American University’s School of International Service. She also has a BA in French and a BFA in Theatre Arts from Southern Methodist University. She currently resides in Spotsylvania, Virginia, with her husband and five children. Question of the Day For those who have worked in the railroad industry, what have you found rewarding, and what has been challenging? 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 person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 145: Women in Short Line Railroading appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

We’re talking to Curtis Koch, Director of Marketing and Social Media for Broadway Limited Imports, about how they view the model railroading business, their process for their projects, and some of their upcoming products. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services. Related Episodes Rapido Trains Kathy Millatt & The Great Model Railway Challenge Question of the Day What are some of your favorite model trains that have ever been produced? 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 person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! The post 144: How Broadway Limited Imports Produces Model Trains appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

  Lake State Railroad CMO Roger Fuehring provides clarity on the EPA’s regulations concerning diesel locomotives and how they affect tourist railroads and museums. Related Episodes Puffing Billy Railway – Sustainability and Success Marketing in Rail Preservation Question of the Day What are topics that you would like me to cover on the podcast? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. The post 143: Understanding the EPA Rules with Diesels (w/ Roger Fuehring) appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.