Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released December 10, 2024You don't need a massive layout to create long lasting and enjoyable operations. That's the message Paul Cassar delivers on this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace as he describes his River Belt Line HO scale switching layout. Paul tells us how he's centered operations around a freelance concept involving 3 fallen flag railroads and the cornerstone industry of a brewery. Paul also talks switchlists and how he's turned them into a hobby within the hobby. Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/rewindThank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:https://scalesigns.com/

Once you've discovered operations and see what your railroad can do, there's no going back. This is the journey of Heath Hurwitz, known for his now Wednesday night Trains N Tech YouTube weekly livestreams on his Human[c]ity Junction channel, who discovered a whole new world in model railroading when he stepped outside of his Manhattan layout room and got involved with operating sessions in his area and beyond. Heath shares the lessons learned and how he's applied them to his Riverside Transfer layout, going from version 1.0 to 2.0 with continuous improvement driven by feedback and sound advice from those he's met and hosted at his layout.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/209Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com

It's time once again for the Granddaddy of model railroad shows - the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show. Engineer John Sacerdote makes his annual visit to tell us what to expect at this ever-growing and bucket list event held every January on the grounds of the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield Massachusetts. John shares the results of their commitment to continious improvement with a new event surrounding the show and tells us what it takes to keep the Railroad Hobby Show on top as the "SEMA of Model Railroading." Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/205Thank 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 freelance short line railroad modeled so well, you might have thought it was real. That's the Alabama Central of Radisson McGuire, a young and very talented modeler who has taken inspiration from prototype railfanning and some incredible inside access and lessons learned from RPM regulars to create a plausable model railroad of his own. Radisson shares his start in the hobby, with a life-changing event for both him and his mother and how the hobby got him through challenging times.Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/208Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.comThank you to our episode sponsor, Home Shops:https://homeshops.net/

It's time to take a look back at 2025 and review some of the headlines from the year that was with the Editor of Cowcatcher Magazine, Tim Blackwell. From government policy to mergers and acquisitions, 2025 surely produced some newsmaking events. Later, Tim and Ray hear from our listeners as they share their model railroading accomplishments of the past year. Learn more about this episode on our website:aroundthelayout.com/207Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:https://tullymodels.com