Why were canal boats being hauled by train over mountains? Park Ranger Elizabeth Shope provides an overview of the Allegheny Portage Railroad of Pennsylvania, its role in westward expansion, and how the National Park Service has worked to preserve what remains. Related Episodes Steamtown National Historic Site California State Railroad Museum Question of the Day What is an underrated technological marvel in railroading? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that T ..read more

Mark Rheaume, composer of “That’s the Way the Railroad Went” discusses how he created a 38 minute piece of music incorporating interviews documenting the Central Iowa Railway Company, a short line with a brief existence in the 1970s. Related Episodes New Age Album Created on an Amtrak Trip Luke Pickman: Interpreting the Music of Thomas & Friends Question of the Day What is your favorite musical piece about railroading? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that ..read more

Well Stocked Shelves by Angela Trotta Thomas. Used with permission. What is it like to paint official portraits of Lionel Trains? We are talking to Angela Trotta Thomas about her Lionel and real railroad paintings, her process of creating a scene, how she infuses her work with nostalgia, and her advice for getting into painting. See more of Angela’s paintings. Related Episodes Railroad Photographer Dennis Livesey Center for Railroad Photography and Art Question of the Day Going into the new year, what are you excited about? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode ..read more

How did the idea for the 2023 excursions in Central Virginia come about? What logistics are required to put excursions together? Is converting Norfolk & Western 611 to oil burning being discussed? How can you become involved in future excursions? Zac McGinnis, Excursion Manager for the Virginia Museum of Transportation, answers these questions and more. Related Episodes Norfolk & Western 611 at Strasburg Rail Road Nickel Plate Road 765 Adventure Question of the Day What are your favorite holiday railroad memories? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode ..read more

National Model Railroad Association (NMRA) President Gordy Robinson and Social Media Manager Lucy Dormont join us for a full conversation about the challenges facing the organization and the work they are involved with to bring it into the future. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions. Visit the official NMRA website to learn more. Related Episodes Former NMRA President Charlie Getz How to Design a Model Railroad Question of the Day What gives you hope in the future of model railroading? Let me know and I will respond to ..read more

Learn about the preservation work that Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum is involved with, the opportunities and challenges of being based in central Portland, and how they use events to maximize their community outreach. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions. Learn more about Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum from their website. Related Episodes Wiscasset Waterville & Farmington Railway Café Lafayette Dinner Train Question of the Day What piece of narrow gauge history do you enjoy most? Let me know and I ..read more

Rob Gardner, President of American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, provides updates on the restoration of Reading Railroad T-1 2100 and what is planned for the future. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions. Related Episodes Reading 2100 Restoration Launch Cass Scenic Railroad Question of the Day What steam locomotive restoration are you most excited about? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, share this episode with at least one person today, and ..read more

The Puffing Billy Railway is a world famous tourist railway near Melbourne, Australia. CEO Peter Abbott speaks with us about the importance of the people connected to it (staff, volunteers, and community), how the railway works to overcome challenges, and what it means to operate it sustainably. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions. Related Episodes Jim Ward – 50 Years of Australian Railroading Talyllyn Railway Question of the Day If you’ve visited the Puffing Billy Railway, what was your experience like? If not, what ..read more

The Yosemite Valley Railroad was a connection between the Southern Pacific and Yosemite National Park that brought tourists in by the thousands, and it also hauled a considerable amount of freight. Jack Burgess is dedicated to understanding the history and operations of the railroad, and has even interviewed past employees. He shares the history of this railroad with us, along with answering the question of how he has remained so focused on this particular railroad for over 40 years! This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auction ..read more

IMAX film director Stephen Low talks about the process of making Train Time, a documentary looking at the operations of BNSF Railway. He shares how this project was different from Rocky Mountain Express, the methods used to capture some of the amazing shots in the film, and the challenges that were unique to this project. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services and Rail and Road Auctions. Related Episodes Rocky Mountain Express Southern Railway 4501 Documentary Question of the Day What is your favorite example of a train on film? Let me know and I ..read more