Our podcast crew has been asked to show their latest projects and share them with you. We examine various items on everyone's layout and examine what it takes to bring these models to life. April starts with a fun-filled podcast for...

Operations are supposed to be fun. This episode discusses the social aspects of hosting and being a guest. This episode's crew is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR. Our sponsor is the Foam engine, which you ...

In this episode, we discuss hosting an Operations weekend. How do we pick layouts, how are guests invited, and what can a host do to prepare for time visitors?The crew in this episode is Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, Ken Zieska, and Th...

This episode we discuss how busy we want to be at an operations session, and how busy do we want our crew members when we host a session?The crew this episode is Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior M...

This episode we are joined by Lee Caulkins and Brett Issacs. The main force behind the huge, and we mean HUGE, N-scale modular set up. This past year it was held in Evanston Wyoming at the Historic Union Pacific Shops. Ken Borowski MMR...

In this episode, we discuss layouts with no mainline. One, if any yards, and minimal staging. Can you create a fun, operational layout that will stand the test of time? We discuss how a smaller layout can be more nimble, or accommodating to ope...

In this episode, we discuss the operations of a freight house. We also discuss Cold storage and security storage facilities. Joe Binish has one of the best-run operations for working the freight house on his Central of Minnesota layout....

In this episode, we discuss evolving operations for layouts and car forwarding systems. What have we done to upgrade or detail our operations? The crew for this show is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR

This episode is about changes to our modeling. What has evolved and made us better modelers or operators? Think about the changes to technology in your lifetime, and the new techniques being tried to achieve better models and layouts.Th...

Do models have to be exact replicas for you to enjoy them? Are the manufacturers being pushed too far into the museum quality construction? Our panel discusses the effect of prototype modeling on our layouts. The crew of t...

This episode is a discussion about modeling the 1970s era.  What was good about it, plus how we conveyed to our visitors that the layout is set in the 1970s. The era before the mega-mergers and the caboose and boxcars could still be found ...

Internet anonymity has encouraged trolls to make snide comments about people's modeling. How can we handle that issue? Also, how can we process advice from our crew? Does the source of the suggestions matter?Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, and ...

In this episode, we discuss options for operations that go beyond CC&WB/Switchlists. Adding some nuance once in a while could be a great addition to any session. The crew in this episode are Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and ...

Most operating layouts deal with off-spotting cars—the twenty pounds of mud in a ten-pound sack.  How do you deal with this? Our crew discusses the good, bad, and ugly portion of moving excess freight cars. The crew for this e...

In this episode, we discuss what makes us anxious. What fears do you have that keep you from building that layout or model? Is there not enough room? Do you not want to waste material or time? Do you not have the skills?This episode's c...

In this episode, the crew discusses how to improve operations Cog Railway.    What customers do you need? What makes a great Cog Railway engine? How do you handle interchange? And how big should your cogs be?The crew in this e...

Operations with a two-person crew on a train.  Have you tried it? Do you like it or dislike it? What job would you prefer and why?All these questions, plus more, are answered by our panel.Ken Borowski, David Hamilton MMR, Mike ...

This episode discusses how layout owners can inform their operators of specific rules or nuances.The crew for this episode is Ken Borowski, Dan Dossa, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR.The sponsor for this s...

If you are going to model a Freelance railroad and make it believable, we have some rules you could follow.This episode features Joe Binish, Ken Borowski, Mike Jordan, and William Sampson Jr. and is hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR ....

In this episode, we discuss specific catalysts to make us finish a project.It could be visiting another layout, watching a video, listening to a podcast, or just plain old shame.We also learn what crew members talk about when the ho...

Are you going to start over with your layout, or have you been thinking of modeling something else altogether? We discuss those options in this podcast. We asked our panel what changes they would make. Different scale? Era? Railroad of choice?<...

Have you ever wondered how to take your operation sessions to the next level? Our Guest Alan Saatkamp shares his five points to bring a layout up to greatness for guests.These simple steps improve all areas of the session. This dis...

In this episode, we chat with three layout owners who have created fantastic stories in a small footprint. Dan Dossa talks about his multilevel Minnesota Commercial. Jonathan Jones is making a slice of the Central of New Jersey Newark Branch. H...

A recent post online about the expectations of an operations crew to make the layout come to life for the owner has created some ripples in social media. We discuss this post and what we as layout owners expect from our crews. We a...

The crew gets together with Eric Smith to discuss the benefits of operations. Eric is the editor of the OPSIG magazine, The Dispatcher.  We learn that operations are more than rules and paperwork. Eric and the crew bring up some great idea...