Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

Latest Episodes:

ATLP Rewind - Chris Palmieri and the Meridian Speedway - September 27, 2022 Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released September 27, 2022
In this episode of Around The Layout, we go deep into the vivid imagination of Chris Palmieri and learn about the alternate railroading reality he has created in the freelance world of "The Meridian Speedway." Chris talks about the how he, from an early age, has been developing his own model railroad story based on his deep and growing knowledge of prototype operations. You'll learn how this has led to the creation of Home Shops, LLC and how his new venture helps spread not only his story but those of fellow freelance modelers across the planet.
Check out The Meridian Speedway website: https://www.meridianspeedway.net/
Shop Home Shops LLC for freelance model railroad cars: https://homeshops.net/
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

Allen Whitaker and the Tennessee Southern Mar 12, 2024

Show notes

Keeping a long family tradition of railroading, Allen Whitaker comes by to tell us about how, from a young age, he was exposed to the prototype, particularly the Southern Railway which inspired his freelance Tennessee Southern Railway. Allen shares how his career as a railroader has affected operations on his layout, and how knowing too much can be a challenge as a model railroader. Later, Allen shares his experience with having the Tennessee Southern included in a Home Shops run that features some of his model railroading idols.
Check out more on the Tennessee Southern Railway on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/149336988442313
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
aroundthelayout.com/atlpoc
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - John Farrington and the Somerset Industrial - January 3, 2023 Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released January 3, 2023
We’re off to the Sunshine State for a visit to Sebastian, the town that might become the capital of model railroading in Florida, and meet up with John Farrington. We learn how his grandfather helped light his youthful passion for model trains and how he rediscovered the hobby through content on YouTube. John talks about creating his own YouTube channel and by doing so, is paying forward the knowledge he’s obtained. Additionally, we learn how John met fellow resident Don Irace and the role he’s played in designing and building John’s Somerset Industrial layout. And be sure to listen carefully for a special guest appearance from Merlin The Cat.
See more on John’s layout and get great modeling tips on his YouTube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@RailserveJohn
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

Tom Barbalet and Model Rail Radio Mar 05, 2024

Show notes

Around The Layout is where model railroaders and, in this case, podcasters come to tell their story. A pioneer of model railroad podcasts, Tom Barbalet, comes by to tell us about how Model Rail Radio was started. Tom talks about how the live radio call-in format for his long-running podcast was developed and how he has built an amazing community of friends from around the world.
Check out Model Rail Radio:
https://www.modelrailradio.com/
Join the Model Rail Radio Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/367613092344
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - Mark Herrick and the BNSF Montana Division - January 17, 2023 Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released January 17, 2023
We give Streamyard the night off as Mark Herrick does an in-person visit to the Around The Layout studio and tells us about his model railroading journey that has led to the BNSF Montana Division. Listen as Mark tells us about how trips to Montana in his teenage years formed his love of the Burlington Northern and how a trip to “The Mall” sparked his interest in model railroading. Mark also shares how membership in the NMRA led him to a network of great model railroaders and even greater friends.
Check out the BNSF Montana Division Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080157977768
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

Tim Garland and the Seaboard Central Feb 27, 2024

Show notes

In our past interviews, we've found that freelance model railroaders have amazing stories to tell and Tim Garland is no exception. On this episode, Tim tells us how he got started in the hobby and how at 14 years old, his mind was made up about becoming a railroader. Tim shares how the story of the Seaboard Central was developed, how it's a form of protest against changes he's observed in the railroad industry, and how the second version of the layout is being built differently from the first and in a way that keeps the flywheel turning without being overwhelming.
Check out more on the Seaboard Central on Tim's YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@SeaboardCentral
Follow updates on the Seaboard Central on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/SCModelRailroad/
We mention our love for Home Shops, LLC. Check them out here:
https://homeshops.net/
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

Lucy Dormont and Adventures at Amherst Feb 20, 2024

Show notes

After getting to meet the NMRA Social Media guru Lucy Dormont in person at the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show, I wanted to hear about her first trip to Springfield and her event filled weekend. Lucy shares the details on the events she participated in, including the NMRA Board of Directors meeting and the Women In Model Railroading meet and greet and operating session. I also find out what purchases made Lucy's suitcase and give her some (probably bad) advice on how to get more stuff home with her next year.
Check out all of the exciting changes with the NMRA, starting with their website:
https://www.nmra.org/
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Thank you to our show sponsor, Weather My Trains:
https://weathermytrains.com/
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - Don Irace and the Providence & Worcester - January 31, 2023 Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released January 31, 2023
He’s been talked about a lot on Around The Layout, but now it’s time to hear from Don Irace himself. Don’s original Providence & Worcester layout in Scituate, Rhode Island was known by many as the layout to see in southern New England, and he gives us the backstory on it’s creation. He shares how he developed operations on this layout, and how lessons from Scituate guided the second version after his move to Sebastian, Florida. Don has inspired many to create their own layouts, and he talks about the role of mentor and how the hobby has created a group of great friends, both in New England and Florida.
Like the Providence & Worcester Model Railroad Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/ProvidenceWorcesterModelRailroad
Check out the PWMRR YouTube channel for videos of both layouts.
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePWMRR
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP 2024 Listener Survey Feb 16, 2024

Show notes

It's just me, asking you to take a few minutes to take the ATLP 2024 Listener Survey.
aroundthelayout.com/survey
Your honest feedback is appreciated!
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

What's Happening In Model Railroading - February 2024 - Tony Cook & Curtis Koch Feb 13, 2024

Show notes

Just a few weeks removed from the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show, Broadway Limited's Curtis Koch stops by to tell us about the exciting announcements and releases from BLI, including the new Conductors Club, GP35's, die-cast diesels and a device you can use not only in the layout room, but throughout your home and garage too. Later, Tony brings us the industry news from ScaleTrains, Atlas, Walthers, Rapido, Kato, Home Shops LLC and more.
Learn more about Broadway Limited and sign up for the Conductors Club:
https://broadway-limited.com/
Subscribe to Model Railroad News and keep up with all that's happening in model railroading:
https://modelrailroadnews.com/
Take a trip through model railroad history on Tony's Model Train Resource:
https://modeltrainresource.com/
Ask Tony your question for next month's What's Happening In Model Railroading Show:
https://www.aroundthelayout.com/asktony
Subscribe to the Model Train Resource YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ModelTrainResource
Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast
Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com
Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout
Send us an email: aroundthelayout@gmail.com
Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com
Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew
Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC
©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.
The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.
Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.
No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

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