Model Rail Radio

Latest Episodes:

Model Rail Radio #208: Surprise Guest [January 15, 2022] Jan 15, 2022

Show notes

Terry Terrance surprises Tom with a call into Model Rail Radio. Clark Kooning and Mike Slater have memories to share with Terry. Mike Deverell has been exploring LCC while he lone wolfs his new layout. Speaking of new layouts Gordy Robinson explains how he acquired his new layout and maintains fatherhood and the NMRA with equal vigor. Linton Towell provides a brief update. Where Mike Slater formerly had a hot tub, he now has a model railroad. John Dohering doesn't stand a chance with Clark Kooning on his tail - modules are the topic but also the new affordability of the first train set. Jeff Schockley provides a Del Mar Var update from strength to strength although they've moved from Delmar, DE. Martyn Jenkins is running for the NMRA Board but his layout is way more interesting. Mike O'Dorney and Tom talk, where possible, about modules. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#208

Model Rail Radio #207: Not Jaded [December 4, 2021] Dec 04, 2021

Show notes

Mike O'Dorney schools Tom on shipping alternatives as they discuss modules. Ted Roy is building for himself through the new normal. John Yates is calling in from home with a new 3d printer. Who has been making things in silver with a 3d printer? The usual suspects don't appear to be. Jim Gifford has been changing things up a bit with his controller hardware and software. Linton Towell introduces his interests in model railroading and touches on a favorite topic of Tom's what has happened for Australian HO modelers over the past two decades. Mike Slater has made some changes. But he has some ideas about what the Christmas Train should be. Tom wonders about John Garaty's model railroading health with Corrimal and the hobby. John Garaty has been finding ways to introduce the railroad concepts to his granddaughter. Clark Kooning talks about the thick skin you need to have to work in a club. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#207

Model Rail Radio #206: Moving to Martin's Shed [October 16, 2021] Oct 16, 2021

Show notes

Tom explores the history of birthday shows. Tom talks about the two modules he is acquiring with John Szymanski who provides a fascinating history of his own module experiences. Simon Hill has made a difficult decision. Neale Brodie provides a long awaited update. Martin Coombs explains the blueprint for the new modules between sheds idea and it doesn't require people spending large periods of time at any location. Tom gets an update from Martin on their local 1:1 railroad. Clark Kooning has some pieces on the history of modular standards. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here once more. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#206

Model Rail Radio #205: Slumbering Layout [October 2, 2021] Oct 02, 2021

Show notes

John Garaty has been dealing with day light saving and has an update for Corrimal featuring the usual suspects. Jeff Shockley provides a Del Mar Var update for his much celebrated club. Jeff seems to have some good contacts to save his club from being homeless. Jim Gifford's crew are doing more operating thanks to a reduction in COVID restrictions. He provides a detailed update accordingly. Mike Slater recommends a Texas Outfit that builds modules. (Tom purchases a couple of these modules and a future topic is born). Tom wants to know about Mike's former hotter area. Tom also wants a Jim Rindt update - in particular what is happening with the laser and the grandchildren. John Yates wanted to know more about there video conferences with the quilting community that Tom has historically mentioned through lockdown. Brenton Spackman has a number of updates about his living conditions but the hobby is central to his updates. Mike O'Dorney's brain is picked on prebuilt modules. Other topics include the new normal for buying a car. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#205

Model Rail Radio #204: Least Threatening Structure Kits [September 18, 2021] Sep 18, 2021

Show notes

Mike O'Dorney fills in the gaps from the last conversation about structure building for people with certain lifestyles. Tom and Mike Slater catch up after a few months. Mike is having trouble getting his local NMRA onto Zoom calls. Mike has been able to find some fun through his trolley meets. It's when Mike talks about what he has done and his plans were the interesting details come out. Jim Gifford provides a detailed update for his crew which seems to be growing in number. Tom asks for some specific updates in there too. After a brief COVID update, Tom asks about Jim's move to NCE. John Yates introduces himself and his model rail roading interests. Tom and John talk about the difficulties of maintaining model rail clubs in rural Australia. John Doehring has a number of updates too including a giant module meet in Wyoming. Module model railroading is an ongoing topic for the next few recordings. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing a vast majority of this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#204

Model Rail Radio #203: Jerry [September 4, 2021] Sep 04, 2021

Show notes

Martin Coombs kicks off the show with Tom talking about his new garden layout of five phases currently. Simon Hill is responsible for the track plan. Martin is also the proud new owner of an as-yet-unused 3d printer. Simon Hill goes through some of the basic tweaks that were needed on make Martin's new garden layout come to life. John Szymanski has been tuning his layout for frequent operating sessions. For now, cleaning is his most interesting problem. Model Rail Radio classic participant Anders Wirten calls in to provide an update on his model railroading interest. Why does Tom have an interest in German 1930s locomotives? Lawrence Eggering has discovered the missing link in connecting CMRI to JMRI. This produces an interesting discussion. Tom and Lawrence talk about the second-hand market. Roger Chrysler has returned to his lead collection while attempting to sell his lead collection. In his own words, he's being more selective about what he does in the model railroading hobby. Clark Kooning is out of the water and picking up sessions thanks to Mike O'Dorney. Fredrik Just calls back in following his introduction on Show 200. What ideas does he present in this call? That we should embrace the childlike wonder in our hobby with inventive storytelling. Mike O'Dorney raises a sociological phenomenon which Tom can't leave alone. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#203

Model Rail Radio #202: The Afternoon-Evening Version [March 27, 2021] Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

Mike Slater discovered a Lionel tunnel at an estate sale - questions ensue. Jim Gifford has still been mopping up from his disastrous 2020. Roscoe's layout has released some gremlins which seems to require pulling wire out. Jim as been doing modeling to bring his crew together. Tom welcomes on Lawrence Eggering to talk about how things have changed in the hobby for him. Tom calls out Lawrence RPO cars as being important in the legal problems for his layout's OC family. This podcast is here in the feed thanks to Robert J. Thomas who has been taking shows and editing them down for posting while I have been in Southern California waiting for the girls to arrive. Many thanks Robert for all your efforts here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#202

Model Rail Radio #201: A Shortage Of Volunteers [March 27, 2021] Mar 27, 2021

Show notes

Martin Coombs has been exploring a new garden rail building material, PVC FoameX. Tom and Martin discuss the structures and the form of the garden layout. Simon Hill gives a brief hobby update then Tom and Simon talk about how folks at Bredgar are planning for the longer-term new normal. Gordy Robinson has been modeling snow in N scale. The snow provides information about the layout based on the speed of the trains through the snow. Tom wonders how Gordy's perspective has changed now he's on the NMRA board. Mike Kenefeck's layout reflects a problem Tom finds himself in too. Paul Best has made progress through lockdown with MERG (https://www.merg.org.uk). Mike O'Dorney has been vaccinated and wants to help out with Silicon Valley Lines on location. Tom has some light teasing for Mike Slater before they talk about preparing for Trainfest 2021. Clark Kooning has a timed update on what is going on in the hobby. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#201

Model Rail Radio #200: Part 4, 9 pm to Midnight Jan 02, 2021

Show notes

Uncensored and semi-unedited!

Model Rail Radio #200: Part 3, 5 pm to 8 pm Jan 02, 2021

Show notes

Uncensored and semi-unedited!