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Latest Episodes:

a Visit With Ken Patterson Jun 16, 2026

Show notes

Ken Patterson is one of the best-known personalities in model railroading today. He is a professional photographer, modeler, and media producer who has been published extensively in hobby magazines and has photographed dozens of model railroad magazine covers. He's best known for his "What's Neat This Week" a popular weekly video show featuring model railroading projects, starring the often enthusiastic Joshua Barton and the always peppy Mike Budde.

Ken's show features new products, techniques, industry news, and guest appearances from hobbyists and manufacturers around the hobby. Recently there was a major fire on the layout and thankfully the "Dude" is still here to tell us all about it. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded melted freight cars, a tall cool glass of extinguisher fluid and enjoy!!

ViewerMail Flight #137 Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

It's time for another exciting edition of ViewerMail where every episode starts with hope and ends with somebody discovering there's a much more complicated way to accomplish what you're doing. It's your opportunity to listen as the AML Gang turns a simple two sentence email into a 14-page discussion.

Let's face it ViewerMail is cheaper than therapy while bringing together model railroaders from around the world to disagree about the same thing. ViewerMail is like switching cars in the yard—you never know what's coming next. If model railroading were easy, these podcasts would be a lot shorter, as we try to determine why cleaning the train room somehow ends with buying three locomotives. So please join us where weathering powder, benchwork, and life advice appear in the same sentence.

Episode 286: George Taylor Returns!! Jun 01, 2026

Show notes

George Taylor has been hanging around the AML Nation almost as long as the modeler simply known as "Kelly." We've travelled a lot of miles with George through the years and it seemed like as good a time as any to catch up on what he's been doing. It's a great podcast and one we're sure you'll enjoy!!

Episode 285: Bob Ginger May 25, 2026

Show notes

Bob Ginger is a well respected model railroader known for his detailed N-scale layout work and realistic operations-oriented design. He earned the prestigious Master Model Railroader (MMR #695) designation from the National Model Railroad Association.

The Pepper Valley Division is an N scale freelanced railroad inspired by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe and Great Northern railroads set in October 1954.

Op-sessions on the Pepper Valley are either one or two-man crews with operators working near each other, making it easy to coordinate train movements. Each train moves in an east or west direction for the duration of the job. The layout features a walk-in design, long mainline run for the size of the layout, realistic scenery and good traffic flow all wrapped up in a mid-century western railroad atmosphere. It's a great podcast and one we're sure you'll enjoy!!

Episode 284: Dustin Whitten May 18, 2026

Show notes

Dustin Whitten is a full time 1:1 railroader that's also an HO scale model railroader known for his coal-hauling Appalachian-themed layouts. His current layout was featured in the "Built by Others" series on Trains.com inspired by the Virginian project layout that first appeared in the pages of Model Railroader in January of 2012. Dustin's Norfolk & Western South Branch layout took inspiration from this project and adjusted it to fit his space. His freelance layout, the Norfolk & Western South Branch, models Southwestern Virginia in 1987 during the early Norfolk Southern era.

On this podcast he explains how he expanded and customized the original Virginian project plan with broader curves, a redesigned coal marshaling yard, realistic operations based on prototype railroad practices using a mix of Norfolk and Western, Southern Railway, and early Norfolk Southern power. It's a great podcast and one we're sure you'll enjoy!!

World Record with Andy Zimmerman May 11, 2026

Show notes

Andy Zimmerman is well known in the model railroading community through his work with the National Model Railroad Association, as the Standards & Conformance Director. Andy's just one of those guys that makes the hobby go, being heavily involved with modular groups such as N-TRAK and T-TRAK. Recently he took on the role of "N-Rail" president because he has so much spare time.

Before his railroad hobby leadership, he served twenty-three years in the U.S. Navy, he's been president of the NMRA Sunshine Region, is active with the Big Bend Model Railroad Association in Florida. But for this interview he's here to tell us all about the T-Trak world record attempt at this year's national convention in Chattanooga, Tennessee. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded NMRA standards, a tall cool glass of warm salt water and enjoy!!

Dave Owens and NERPM May 04, 2026

Show notes

Long time friend of the AML Nation, Dave Owens stops by to bring us up to date about this year's Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet or NERPM (excuse me) as the regulars call it. For the past three years NERPM has run in partnership with The Amherst Railway Society and provides an opportunity for modelers to participate in a show where modelers of all skill levels are able to exhibit their work, learn about new products, and enjoy the company of other talented modelers.

Dave is always quick to point out NERPM (excuse me) is a "MEET" and not a "SHOW." This is where folks come together to show what they are working on and see what others are doing, enjoy some great clinics, chat with others and just generally have a great time. So, the bottom line is to go and see for yourself and if you happen to bump into Dave… Tell him Lionel sent you!!

Episode 283: John Gardiner a.k.a. G4 Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

This week, we hear from G4, aka Doctor G4, Notch 11, aka John Gardiner IV. G4 is a long-time friend of the podcast and a valued member of the AML Nation. In this sprawling conversation, we hear about G4's travel across nearly the entire Amtrak system from coast to coast to explore and photograph Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs). We discuss G4 biking across commuter rail systems, capturing thousands of photographs to support a future article for Railroad Model Craftsman.

There's also discussion about European and American DMU prototype equipment, currently available as scale models from Europe, and all the while, G4 does his best to absolutely annoy the Evil Overlord. So sit back, with a big bowl of shredded light rail schedules, slow down your podcast player's speed to 0.75x, and buckle up for a fun conversation. To learn more about G4, DMUs, or their podcast, "Proto-Future", visit their website: https://www.bgtmrring.org/

Episode 282: Tom Holley Apr 20, 2026

Show notes

When speaking with a third-generation railroader, that usually means he or she comes from a family where railroading has been passed down through the generations, and in the case of our next guest, his grandfather started as a track worker in the very early years of the 1900s and took such pride in his job that his son followed in his footsteps. So it's no wonder that when Tom Holly came along with a wealth of knowledge from his father and grandfather, the next step seemed only natural.

Don't think it's unreasonable for us to assume that Tom didn't choose trains, trains chose Tom. In model railroading this kind of lineage is actually a big deal because by the time the third generation gets around the building a layout, they're able to call on a wealth of knowledge that not many modelers have access to. This is a great podcast and one we're sure you'll enjoy.

A Visit With Gordy Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Gordy Robinson is a well-known figure in the hobby of model railroading, particularly through his involvement with the National Model Railroad Association. He has served in leadership roles for the organization for several years and as president has led the NMRA out of the dark ages.

As a strong advocate for growing membership, encouraging younger hobbyists, and promoting innovation in the hobby and he's frequently seen at many NMRA conventions, regional meets, and some industry events held by leading manufacturers.

But more importantly, unlike some presidents in our past, Gordy is known for being very approachable and engaging with members of all ages, whether they're beginners or master modelers. Gordy is devoted to the hobby, and on this podcast, he talks about plans for the future and possibly a lower membership rate. This is a great podcast with lots of good info and interaction. Enjoy!!

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