The Roundhouse

Do you love trains and railroads? The Roundhouse brings you the most interesting news, stories, and interviews about the railroad industry, hobby, history, and more.

163: The Journey of Rapido Trains w/ Jason Shron 03/10/2026

163: The Journey of Rapido Trains w/ Jason Shron Eleven years ago, we interviewed Jason Shron from Rapido Trains about the history of the company up through 2015 and his vision for the future. Today, we see how Rapido has grown into the US and UK markets while still adhering to the principle that model railroading should be fun. /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/40386740

Building Realistic Lego Trains w/ Glenn Holland 01/22/2026

Building Realistic Lego Trains w/ Glenn Holland Legos are thought of as toys, but there is a subset of Lego fans that aim to make their trains look as real as possible. Glenn Holland is one of these people and has been making custom Lego models for years. He shares his experiences and projects with us, along with why he views Lego as a worthwhile medium for modeling. /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/39821895

161: Aberdeen Carolina & Western - Robert Menzies 12/01/2025

161: Aberdeen Carolina & Western - Robert Menzies The Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway is a 140 mile short line located within North Carolina. Founder and Chairman Robert Menzies talks to us about his philosophy with establishing the railroad, how they transformed a locomotive into a "bar car", and their plans with a recently acquired steam locomotive. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What is your greatest rail experience, or an accomplishment you are proud of, from 2025? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/39222570

160: Conrail President Brian Gorton 10/21/2025

160: Conrail President Brian Gorton Did you know that Conrail still exists today? Though primarily known as a major Class I railroad in the Northeast US from the 70s to 90s, Conrail still exists as a shared asset operation jointly owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX. Current President Brian Gorton started with the pre-merger Conrail in the 80s. He shares his perspective on how Conrail has evolved, experiences from his time working for Union Pacific, and how he was involved with the George H. W. Bush Funeral Train. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What is an example of relatively modern railroad history (post-1980) that you find fascinating? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/38730840

159: R Duck Locomotive Works and Laser-Cut Wood Modeling 09/05/2025

159: R Duck Locomotive Works and Laser-Cut Wood Modeling R Duck Locomotive Works is a company specializing in creating laser-cut wooden kits depicting real locomotives and rolling stock. Founder and owner Tripp Aquadro talks about his inspiration for the business and how he develops his products. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day Other than model railroading, what are your favorite train toys? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/38031890

158: B&O Railroad Museum 07/31/2025

158: B&O Railroad Museum In 2027, the B&O Railroad Museum will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Executive Director Kris Hoellen discusses the projects at the museum, how their volunteers are revitalizing the buildings on their site, and why she sees the anniversary as a year for collaboration between heritage railroads and museums. This episode is sponsored by . Photo by Wallstreethotrod. Question of the Day What pieces of pre-1900 railroad history interest you the most? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/37625365

157: Talyllyn Railway w/ Luke Ryan 06/30/2025

157: Talyllyn Railway w/ Luke Ryan Talyllyn Railway Media Manager Luke Ryan joins us to discuss how the railway has progressed since we last featured it on the podcast, the importance of interpreting the Rev. Awdry's work, and why hosting meaningful events for fans matters. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What makes you feel a sense of belonging with your railroad club, group, or organization? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/37228360

156: San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society 05/30/2025

156: San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society What does operating a big mainline steam locomotive like Santa Fe 3751 on the west coast require? Alex Gillman, VP of the San Bernardino Railroad Historical Society, joins us to talk about the work required to restore and operate the locomotive, along with how they are developing a museum. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What impresses you about your favorite mainline steam organization? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/36795265

155: National Railroad Museum 04/30/2025

155: National Railroad Museum The National Railroad Museum in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is expanding its museum facilities. CEO Jacqueline Frank joins us to discuss the history of the museum, how they successfully transported their "Dwight D. Eisenhower" locomotive back to the UK for an event in 2014, and their approach to showcasing the national history of railroading in the United States. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What is a notable example of museums or heritage railroads collaborating to create a great event? /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/36377150

154: American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association 03/31/2025

154: American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Chuck Baker, President of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, talks about the state of the short line railroading in early 2025, how the organization is involved in advocacy for the industry, and the growing trend of freight railroads entering tourist railroading. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What short line or regional railroad impresses you? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/35949040

10 Year Anniversary Special: Nick Ozorak 03/03/2025

10 Year Anniversary Special: Nick Ozorak The interviewer is interviewed! Guest host Kelly Lynch asks your questions for regular host Nick Ozorak about the history of the podcast, what continues to motivate his work, and why he is so optimistic about Next Generation Railroaders. Attend Next Generation Railroaders' first virtual public programming: https://www.nextgenrr.org/programs This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day Are there any other questions you have for me, Nick Ozorak? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/35517490

152: Transportation Analyst Tony Hatch 01/28/2025

152: Transportation Analyst Tony Hatch Tony Hatch, Senior Transportation Analyst for ABH Consulting, provides us with a greater understanding of the financial landscape of Class I railroading in the 21st century. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What are you excited for in 2025? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/35054315

In Memoriam: "Thomas & Friends" TV Creator Britt Allcroft 01/03/2025

In Memoriam: "Thomas & Friends" TV Creator Britt Allcroft Host Nick Ozorak pays tribute to Britt Allcroft, creator of the Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends TV series. He explores not just what her greatest contribution means to him, but what he see as some of its larger endearing outcomes. Thomas and Rail Preservation: https://theroundhousepodcast.com/2015/11/14/thomas-and-rail-preservation/ /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/34711075

151: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Executive Director Scott Becker 01/02/2025

151: Pennsylvania Trolley Museum Executive Director Scott Becker Let's learn more about the largest trolley museum in the United States. Scott Becker has been at the helm of the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum for over 30 years. In that time, the museum has grown by expanding its collection and constructing two massive buildings. Scott walks us through the history of the museum, how preserving trolleys differs from other forms of rail preservations, and what has led to the museum's success. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What tourist railroads and museums have balanced keeping their charm with progressing with the times? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/34699050

150: Al Harper and American Heritage Railways 11/26/2024

150: Al Harper and American Heritage Railways American Heritage Railways oversees such notable tourist railroads as the Durango & Silverton, Great Smoky Mountains Railroad, and Branson Scenic Railroad. Al Harper, Chairman and CEO, shares his decades of insight in what makes a tourist railroad function, how Polar Express has become such a staple in the industry, and the importance of balancing history with progress. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What tourist railroads and museums have balanced keeping their charm with progressing with the times? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/34122036

149: North Shore Railroad 10/30/2024

149: North Shore Railroad Loni Martz Briner, PR and Media for North Shore Railroad, talks about the history of this group of Pennsylvania short lines and how they are celebrating their 40th Anniversary. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What railroad do you know of or work for that is good with connecting to its local communities? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/33694507

148: FRA Administrator Joe Szabo 10/04/2024

148: FRA Administrator Joe Szabo What is involved with leading the Federal Railroad Administration? Joe Szabo, the 12th FRA Administrator, discusses how he began his career in railroading, what led him to the FRA, his philosophy with working with Class I railroads, and how he is now involved in the development of Pullman National Historical Park. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day Is there some special way that we should celebrate 10 years and 150 episodes of The Roundhouse? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/33152647

147: Mississippi Export Railroad 08/30/2024

147: Mississippi Export Railroad What is it like to be at the helm of a railroad that has remained independent for over 100 years? Mississippi Export Railroad President Kate Bourgeois talks about the history of the railroad and how they invest in their company and community. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What is one particularly special interaction that you have had working or volunteering for a tourist railroad or museum? , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/32814132

146: Museum of the American Railroad 07/25/2024

146: Museum of the American Railroad Bob LaPrelle, President and CEO of the Museum of the American Railroad, talks about moving their massive collection of locomotives from Dallas to Frisco, restoration of a rare ALCO PA-1, and the goals for their capital campaign. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day What is one particularly special interaction that you have had working or volunteering for a tourist railroad or museum? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/32292987

145: Women in Short Line Railroading: Panel Discussion 06/27/2024

145: Women in Short Line Railroading: Panel Discussion Join us for a conversation with Arkansas & Missouri Railroad President Caren Kraska, Cathcart Rail Senior VP of Sales and Marketing Vanessa Knapton, and Senior VP of Law and General Counsel for ASLRRA Sarah Yurasko. They discuss their careers in the short line railroad industry, how they are working to cultivate interest in the field, and where they are seeing opportunities for growth. This episode is sponsored by . Question of the Day For those who have worked in the railroad industry, what have you found rewarding, and what has been challenging? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/31918132

144: How Broadway Limited Imports Produces Model Trains 05/30/2024

144: How Broadway Limited Imports Produces Model Trains We're talking to Curtis Koch, Director of Marketing and Social Media for Broadway Limited Imports, about how they view the model railroading business, their process for their projects, and some of their upcoming products. This episode is sponsored by Strasburg Rail Road Mechanical Services Department. Question of the Day What are some of your favorite model trains that have ever been produced? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/31537777

143: Is Your Diesel in EPA Compliance? (w/ Roger Fuehring) 04/30/2024

143: Is Your Diesel in EPA Compliance? (w/ Roger Fuehring) Lake State Railroad CMO Roger Fuehring provides clarity on the EPA's regulations concerning diesel locomotives and how they affect tourist railroads and museums. Question of the Day What are topics that you would like me to cover on the podcast? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/31057093

142: Allegheny Portage Railroad 03/28/2024

142: Allegheny Portage Railroad Why were canal boats being hauled by train over mountains? Park Ranger Elizabeth Shope provides an overview of the Allegheny Portage Railroad of Pennsylvania and how the National Park Service has worked to preserve what remains. 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. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/30584143

The History of Hospital Trains 03/08/2024

The History of Hospital Trains We interview Alexandra Kitty, author of "A Different Track: Hospital Trains of the Second World War", about the forgotten history of hospital trains, their role in WWII, and the healthcare workers who staffed them. This episode is sponsored by the Mechanical Services department of the Strasburg Rail Road. Question of the Day What is a piece of railroad history that is often overlooked? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/30293973

140: Short Line Railroad History Meets Classical Music 01/25/2024

140: Short Line Railroad History Meets Classical Music More episodes: https://theroundhousepodcast.com 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. Listen to Mark's piece: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Onx6JMOBP2A 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. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/29647508

139: Lionel Artist Angela Trotta Thomas 12/20/2023

139: Lionel Artist Angela Trotta Thomas What is it like to paint official portraits of Lionel Trains? We are talking to Angela Trotta Thomas about her Lionel (and real train) 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: https://www.angelatrottathomas.com/ 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. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/29169818

138: Behind the Scenes of N&W 611 Excursions 11/21/2023

138: Behind the Scenes of N&W 611 Excursions 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. 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. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/28690423

137: The Future of the NMRA 10/24/2023

137: The Future of the NMRA National Model Railroad Association 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. Question of the Day What gives you hope in the future of model railroading? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/28411256

136: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum 09/20/2023

136: Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad and Museum 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 and . Question of the Day What piece of narrow gauge history do you enjoy most? Let me know and I will respond to your comments in the next episode. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/28095755

135: Reading #2100 - American Steam Railroad 08/30/2023

135: Reading #2100 - American Steam Railroad 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 and . 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. , share this episode with at least one person today, and remember that The Roundhouse is Our House! /episode/index/show/theroundhouse/id/27895773

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