Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released August 27, 2024What if we looked at our layouts like they were the stage of a grand performance? On this episode, the talented and thought provoking Scott Thornton comes by to share his passion for taking elements of the theatre and applying it to his model railroad. Scott shares how he uses similar approaches as they do on the stage with lighting, sound and props to make viewers of his layout feel like they are trackside on his IAIS Milan Branch.Later, we hear answers to the Question of the Month submitted by our listeners.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/117Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

A product line that spans generations for over 190 years - that's what Bachmann has brought to our hobby. Matt Stern joins Tony Cook and Ray Arnott to tell us the latest news from this legendary company and the return of some classic offerings. Later, Tony and Ray discuss news from Athearn, Rapido, Smokebox Graphics, Walthers and more. Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/180Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, HomeShops Freelance Forum:https://homeshops.net/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

We keep the RPM theme going on Mondays as we head from St. Louis to just outside our nation's capital and talk to Bernie Kempinski about the 2025 Mid-Atlantic RPM. Bernie gives us a brief history of MARPM and how the committee prepares for their meet. Bernie shares about the many exciting opportunities to learn through their clinics, operating sessions and layout tours, along with the many models on display at the event in Linthicum, Maryland. Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/179Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

Getting more model railroaders to discover the magic of operations - that's what OpSig is looking to accomplish as they roll out their new Achievement Program. Executive Producer Paul Cassar and I talk to OpSig Vice President Paul Weiss about this exciting new program and how the special interest group helps support the operations movement with a multitude of resources and a way to show what you know about running a layout like the prototype.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/177Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, HomeShops Freelance Forum:https://homeshops.net/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

For the second year in a row, we were back at the St. Louis RPM in Collinsville, Illinois. ATLP host Ray Arnott made his rounds, talking to numerous attendees of the show and learning why they made the trek out to the midwest to partake in this outstanding event. In part two, we talk to Scott Thornton, Kevin Tully from TullyModels.com, Model Railroad News’ Shane Mason, Nick Santo from NixTrainz, Curtis Koch from Broadway Limited, Tony Sissons, Radisson McGuire, Oak Hill Model Railroad Supply’s Jeff Otto, Rob from Harrisburg, Marty from Ohio, Matt Forcum and we wrap up the episode with the cruise director, Matthew Freix.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/176Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, 18Ten Designs:https://www.1810designs.com/

How can the gift of a single locomotive change layout plans? That's what we'll find out on this episode of Around The Layout Podcast as we head to Wisconsin to talk to Alan Schroeder about his Burlington Northern Marias Pass layout. Alan shares his early influences and tells us about the layouts leading up to his take on 1990's railroading on the Northern Transcon.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/173Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, HomeShops Freelance Forum:https://homeshops.net/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

For the second year in a row, we were back at the St. Louis RPM in Collinsville, Illinois. ATLP host Ray Arnott made his rounds, talking to numerous attendees of the show and learning why they made the trek out to the midwest to partake in this outstanding event. In part one, we talk to Michael Landis, Art from AO Rail Model Train Products, Dave Oppedisano, Chuck Stancil at Logic Rail Technologies, Michael Ostertag from Second Section Podcast, Kevin Norman from Notch 8 Customs, Joey Giunto and Amy Penny, Isaac Fabris and Tom Garza from ScaleSigns.com.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/175Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but, someday, you're going to die. Before that happens, it's time to make a plan, and that's the message Dave Owens and John Sacerdote deliver on this episode of Around The Layout. Dave and John share how the Amherst Railway Society has helped many families who have lost their beloved model railroaders and give sound advice to avoid having your collection become a burden on those who survive you. Later, we hear from listeners who submitted their answer to the Question Of The Month on what their plans are when they head to the big layout in the sky.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/172Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, HomeShops Freelance Forum:https://homeshops.net/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released September 10, 2024We 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. Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Ever loved a product so much that you just wanted to buy the company? Meet Alex Hoffner, the new owner of ABR Model Works. Alex comes by the ATLP studio to tell us how subscribing to the newsletter was the start of a grand adventure that landed him ownership of this Australian founded company and how he's brought it to the United States to produce craftsman kits and 3D printed details. Later, Tony and Ray discuss news coming out of the Spring Creek 25th and the National Train Show from Walthers, ScaleTrains, Rapido, Lionel, Broadway Limited, Garberly Publishing, and White River Productions.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/171Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episods sponsor, HomeShops Freelance Forum:https://homeshops.net/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/ 

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released July 30, 2024Matthew Freix has a passion for car routing, and that might be an understatement! Matt shares the lengths he has gone to research the Gateway Western and how it helped him build a highly accurate simulation of the railroad in 1995. Matt shares how going way down the rabbit hole has made his model railroad more enjoyable and appear like he remembers it. Later, we hear answers to the Question of the Month submitted by our listeners.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/rewindThank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

After a two-parter with Thomas Klimoski on small layouts and the potential they hold, it was perfect timing to talk about operations on John Farrington's Somerset & Raritan. Don Irace joins me in the ATLP Studio to talk to his neighbor about the small layout that's become a blast to operate thanks to John's creativity, willingness to change and implementation of tasks that slow down the session, providing enjoyment for himself and his crew.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/167Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

Now that we're back home and rested up from an amazing weekend in Deshler, Nebraska, it's time to catch up on the rest of the folks we talked to during Spring Creek Model Trains Open House & Train Show. ATLP host Ray Arnott played roving reporter and talked to some of the amazing vendors and model railroaders who made the trek out to celebrate Spring Creek Model Trains' 25th anniversary with the Zucker family, including Micro Engineering, Iowa Scaled Engineering, Mesquite Belt's Devin Jackson, Tom Garza from ScaleSigns.com and Nick Santo from NixTrains. Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/174Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

Even when you're thousands of miles away from your prototype, you might not be that far from your people. That's what we find out on this episode of Around The Layout as we talk to Robin Felder from Switzerland. Robin tells how his love for American railroading began and how he's been able to satisfy that big layout desire with a large group of friends and dual purpose modular layouts. Robin also shares how the group shares each of their unique talents to help each other.Learn more about this episode, check out photos and find links on our website:aroundthelayout.com/169Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released August 6, 2024After spending quality time with Michael Ostertag out in St. Louis, it was time to get him back on the show and hear about the major changes he's made on the Farlin Terminal. He's still committed to S scale, but has completely removed the first version and is taking a new, open ended approach to the next layout. Mike also shares the challenges of S scale and his hopes that a wider variety of product might open the door for more folks to explore the world of 1:64 scale.Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:https://ohrtracksupply.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com