Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

What's better than a train show? How about a train show with local operating sessions to make your trip complete?! That's the topic on this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace as we talk to Mark Herrick, owner of the BNSF Montana Division HO scale layout. Over the last few years, Mark has opened his layout for muliple local events including the Railroad Hobby Show in West Springfield MA, NER regional conventions and to groups in town for any good reason that are just itching to get their turn on Mark's version of the Northern Transcon. Mark shares how he organizes and prepares for out of towners and gives tips for those who are looking to share their layout with others. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/214

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ModelTrainBox.com:
https://modeltrainbox.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 - Originally Released January 14, 2026

Having trouble creating operations on your existing layout? Want to create a new layout to host ops but don't know how? Call the Ops Squad! Ed O'Connell from the Lakeshores Division NMRA joins us on this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace to tell us about the group of operations experts he's helped assemble to help model railroaders in western New York. Ed shares how he got into operations and how the Ops Squad was born of necessity to meet demand for events in their area.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.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.

There was more than just the snow to talk about when it comes to the 2026 Railroad Hobby Show. Although the weather provided an unwelcomed challenge, it surely didn't stop this annual tradition that included new releases, exciting news and the gathering of tens of thousand model railroad enthusiasts. Listen in as we chat with several of the exhibitors that make up the four buildings of fun at the Eastern States Exposition. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/213

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.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 - Originally Released January 7, 2025

Model railroading, photography, history and railfanning. They all tie together for Middletown, New York's Erik Pioselli. A guy that's been listening to the podcast since day one, Erik gets the chance to tell his story, from watching the Lehigh & Hudson Railroad as a youngster to an ill-advised yet prosperous ride with a stranger turned mentor, then inheriting an amazing collection of photographs that captured railroading from New York to California. Erik shares his passion for history and the model railroad lessons he's learned through trial and error.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com
https://scalesigns.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.

The hobby isn't dying; it's evolving. We've said it many times here on the podcast and, on this episode, we dive into the current evolution of model railroading with Paul Stamp. Paul is very passionate about seeing the younger generation get involved and stay involved and he shares his take on what the future of the hobby looks like and how we can all contribute to it's longevity. Later, we hear answers to the Question Of The Month. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/211

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.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.