Model Rail Radio

John Syzemanski is now retired and reports on tasks for his own projects, participating in ops sessions, and visiting a few layouts in the area. Tom and John discuss the steam proto-throttle development. Martin Coombs has several updates from a game-changing laser cutter upgrade, to new fox-proof ballasting techniques, to the latest on upcoming layout exhibits. Martin describes a successful Christmas season at Bredgar. Tom asks about 16mm modeling, when Martin describes a smoke generator technique with "ultrasonic chuff generation". Martin is happy to be back on a role with several projects and colleagues in the hobby. Martin goes on to describe Light Burn software and use with Illustrator files. Dave Barraza is building a staging yard where no one should build a staging yard. He continues to challenge operators, and signal installation looks a bit too much like his day job. John Gardiner IV is back from the Springfield show and is feeling like a real podcaster. John is working on a layout set in the 2040s with a fine back story. Tom hopes to record more frequently. Thanks to Robert J. Thomas for editing the recording and providing the show notes.

Tom and John discuss John's new Proto Future podcast.

Ron and Tom finish some overdue business and kick off a new set of podcasts.

Gordy Robinson has a number of updates including his plans for the Nationals. Jeff Shockley gives an update on the DelMarVa club and an upcoming open house. Tom and Ralph Renzetti discuss Tamiya paint, mixing colors and application including weathering with an airbrush. Tom discusses the Mine Mount Models Layout Design contest. The constraints for the contest are a 10-ft X 12-ft room. Entries can be HO, S, or O scale -- the current scales offered by Mine Mount Models. Two $50 gift certificates will be awarded as prizes. The room should include a door but is otherwise unrestricted in configuration (around the room, central island, etc. Plans should include Mine Mount Models structures, and you can scale up any kit to S or O where not yet offered. Entries should include the track plan and a narrative describing the plan (history, design, operation, etc). Submissions go to Tom's last name @gmail.com and should be submitted by October 31st. Enter multiple times if you like. Tom mentions that he is in the market for a new layout and is in correspondence regarding a candidate. Thanks to Robert Thomas for doing this show edit.

John Szymanski has been operating his layout having moved to smaller weekend op sessions. Mike Slater gives an update on the hottub layout. Neil Erickson talks about a layout that can fly. Ted Roy gives a layout update. Ron Klais and Christina Zambri call in to give an NMRA update and talk about the 2023 Layout Design Contest.

Clark Kooning is returning to Canada and has plenty of plans when he gets back to the north. Ralph Renzetti has been on and recommends a new podcast. Peter Stempel might be moving and provides a brief garden update. Mike Slater has summertime plans.

John Szymanski discusses operating on Bob Hayden's layout and how having phones can reduce the noise level (or maybe not). John has a friend David on the call, and they discuss current (including Breaking Bad diorama) projects with Tom. They discuss operating on layouts in the area. John discusses simplifying aspects of his layout to make it user-friendly for operators. Linton Towell calls in while fishing in Australia. He has been working on a 7mm truck for the layout. He laments missing Tom when in Las Vegas. Dave Barazza describes the latest Bay Rails experience an operating on David Park's layout. Dave discusses "Signals and Ops is what's been happening," the current update on his own layout, now known as "The Simulator" by prototype operators. Martin Coombs discusses plug-in modules, 30 wagons to paint, an update on several garden layout projects, an update on Bredgar later, and seems a bit of an understatement. Martin laments downsizing 7mm collection. Tom and Martin discuss overseas travel with little ones. Malcolm Johnson has a home but alas, no model railroad. Malcolm discusses a potential move to modeling in On30, and the possibility of selling off the remnants of his old layout. Thanks to Robert J. Thomas for producing this recording.

Tom starts the Lawerence Eggering memorial show with Massimo Piras who is interested in hearing from folks in his area. Toni Ryan has fond memories of Uncle Larry. Jim Gifford braces an early morning to talk about his memories of Larry. Tom Gassior talks about his podcast and Uncle Larry. Tim Harrison also has fond memories to share. Andy Zimmerman was with Lawrence at Springfield this year. A band of misfits round out the show with their Larry memories.

Clark Kooning is laying out a new empire. Thomas Brown has some catching up to do. Martin Coombs and the Professor provide interesting show discussion on come contentious issues with Giles Favell providing input. Ralph Renzetti has been helping Chris Adams with his locomotive weathering. John Szymanski rounds out the show. This show is dedicated to Lawrence Eggering - a generous gentleman in the hobby.

Toni Ryan has been playing with some new tech. Mike Slater has been 3d printing in O-scale traction and has been to a magazine with his crew. John Szymanski has building oil pumps for visual interest. Nigel Gartshore has a quick update.

John Szymanski has been operating and talks about his friendship with a famous star of the hobby. Mike Slater has been getting his model railroading mojo back and attended a show that he holds some history with. Neil Erickson hasn't called in for a while but has some updates. Nigel Gartshore has plans for a no-lix now his layout is no longer battling the elements.

Martin Coombs is planning on making videos in the near future. They discuss many interesting aspects of railroading in Kent. Lawrence Eggering has been doing stuff with 3d printers and provides some interesting discussion associated with DCC and the NMRA. David Rees provides an update to his bluetooth developments including a very interesting product in a shade of blue.

This is the Craig Bisgeier Memorial Show. Tom decides to make this a regular MRR in the European friendly time. Tom starts the call with Giles Favell talking about some die cast cars from Terry Terrance's layout. Mike Slater calls in from a local show. Tim Harrison talks about doing the ModelRailCast Show with Craig Bisgeier. We have on one final special guest and Tim talks about Craig's impact on his life.

Short show - thanks to Robert Thomas for the edit.

Jim Lincoln calls in and Tom asks how COVID has changed the model railroading hobby. Simon Hill provides updates on some of the locomotives he's been building and a guillotine building project for the heat. Martin Coombs has a few updates in the hobby and introduces his friend, Giles Favell. Giles makes radio controlled vehicles for model railroad layouts in his own particular way. Tom and Giles talk about that and some of the other aspects of small vehicles on layouts that have been discussed in prior shows. Jamie Fenton has a few updates including LCC signals a-how-to. Tom wants to know about the garden layout. Mike O'Dorney might be catching up with Tom in September. Mike has been experimenting with making modules with large curves. How can conventions be run with training people through the process? Tom concludes the podcast with some sad news and special memorial show coming up. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#213

Nigel Gartshore calls in and has a few updates about his space and what he plans to run in the area. No-lix is the central theme. Ron Klaiss discusses his latest kit and what happens after COVID. Clark Kooning is going to be a snow goose. Clark wants to talk about local politics. Dave Falkenburg calls in and gives a Silicon Valley Lines update after some time away from the club. Martin Jenkins has a quick chance to talk about automated cars, both end sounds and how his work has taken over his hobby time. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#212

Dave Barazza has finished his layout sufficient to get on remote operators with live operators. John Szymanski has been experimenting with something similar on his own layout. Tom asks about tower cameras and combining those images with moving train cameras. John Garaty gives a few updates including on the Professor who is still building micro-layouts. Tyler Reabe has found what he wanted in the wild in terms of new model rail roaders. Mike Slater provides a much anticipated layout update and talks about his Summer show plans. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#211

Tyler Reabe kicks off the show introducing his model railroading interests. Ted Roy has been working through the model railroading hobby - and has a number of locos that are now reprogrammed. Robert Thomas re-introduces his model railroading interests and offers some insight into the hobby in Texas as well as how difficult it turned out to model more than a hundred years ago. Linton Towell calls back in to talk O scale in Australia and Tom asks about the Model Rail Radio Australian O Scale Fraternity. Mike Slater has been bugged by snow on his powerhouse hot tub layout. Dazzy J. provides some updates on his perspective with 3d printing as a business. Ron Klaiss entered the blizzard of Springfield. Seth Gartner has been working towards an operating session in the near-term. Bruce Wilson has done a lot since he last called in. He covers the interesting topic of World War One rail. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#210

John Szymanski (aka John Z) has been exploring remote operations. What has been happening in Kent with Simon Hill and Martin Coombs? Martin has a kit to build that came through unusual circumstances. Chris Adams isn't at Springfield but he thinks it will continue. Peter Stempel has a whole lot of updates now he's a new place with so much potential. Brian Dougherty calls in quickly to say hi and provide a brief update. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#209

Tom talks with Terry about his subway origins, how he ended up in two rail O-scale and what advice he has to model rail roaders planning a basement empire. Tom also wonders if there are folks around Terry's new location who coul offer some model train fun.

Terry Terrance surprises Tom with a call into Model Rail Radio. Clark Kooning and Mike Slater have memories to share with Terry. Mike Deverell has been exploring LCC while he lone wolfs his new layout. Speaking of new layouts Gordy Robinson explains how he acquired his new layout and maintains fatherhood and the NMRA with equal vigor. Linton Towell provides a brief update. Where Mike Slater formerly had a hot tub, he now has a model railroad. John Dohering doesn't stand a chance with Clark Kooning on his tail - modules are the topic but also the new affordability of the first train set. Jeff Schockley provides a Del Mar Var update from strength to strength although they've moved from Delmar, DE. Martyn Jenkins is running for the NMRA Board but his layout is way more interesting. Mike O'Dorney and Tom talk, where possible, about modules. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#208

Mike O'Dorney schools Tom on shipping alternatives as they discuss modules. Ted Roy is building for himself through the new normal. John Yates is calling in from home with a new 3d printer. Who has been making things in silver with a 3d printer? The usual suspects don't appear to be. Jim Gifford has been changing things up a bit with his controller hardware and software. Linton Towell introduces his interests in model railroading and touches on a favorite topic of Tom's what has happened for Australian HO modelers over the past two decades. Mike Slater has made some changes. But he has some ideas about what the Christmas Train should be. Tom wonders about John Garaty's model railroading health with Corrimal and the hobby. John Garaty has been finding ways to introduce the railroad concepts to his granddaughter. Clark Kooning talks about the thick skin you need to have to work in a club. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#207

Tom explores the history of birthday shows. Tom talks about the two modules he is acquiring with John Szymanski who provides a fascinating history of his own module experiences. Simon Hill has made a difficult decision. Neale Brodie provides a long awaited update. Martin Coombs explains the blueprint for the new modules between sheds idea and it doesn't require people spending large periods of time at any location. Tom gets an update from Martin on their local 1:1 railroad. Clark Kooning has some pieces on the history of modular standards. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here once more. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#206

John Garaty has been dealing with day light saving and has an update for Corrimal featuring the usual suspects. Jeff Shockley provides a Del Mar Var update for his much celebrated club. Jeff seems to have some good contacts to save his club from being homeless. Jim Gifford's crew are doing more operating thanks to a reduction in COVID restrictions. He provides a detailed update accordingly. Mike Slater recommends a Texas Outfit that builds modules. (Tom purchases a couple of these modules and a future topic is born). Tom wants to know about Mike's former hotter area. Tom also wants a Jim Rindt update - in particular what is happening with the laser and the grandchildren. John Yates wanted to know more about there video conferences with the quilting community that Tom has historically mentioned through lockdown. Brenton Spackman has a number of updates about his living conditions but the hobby is central to his updates. Mike O'Dorney's brain is picked on prebuilt modules. Other topics include the new normal for buying a car. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#205

Mike O'Dorney fills in the gaps from the last conversation about structure building for people with certain lifestyles. Tom and Mike Slater catch up after a few months. Mike is having trouble getting his local NMRA onto Zoom calls. Mike has been able to find some fun through his trolley meets. It's when Mike talks about what he has done and his plans were the interesting details come out. Jim Gifford provides a detailed update for his crew which seems to be growing in number. Tom asks for some specific updates in there too. After a brief COVID update, Tom asks about Jim's move to NCE. John Yates introduces himself and his model rail roading interests. Tom and John talk about the difficulties of maintaining model rail clubs in rural Australia. John Doehring has a number of updates too including a giant module meet in Wyoming. Module model railroading is an ongoing topic for the next few recordings. Thanks to Robert Thomas for editing a vast majority of this recording. I really appreciate his assistance here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#204

Martin Coombs kicks off the show with Tom talking about his new garden layout of five phases currently. Simon Hill is responsible for the track plan. Martin is also the proud new owner of an as-yet-unused 3d printer. Simon Hill goes through some of the basic tweaks that were needed on make Martin's new garden layout come to life. John Szymanski has been tuning his layout for frequent operating sessions. For now, cleaning is his most interesting problem. Model Rail Radio classic participant Anders Wirten calls in to provide an update on his model railroading interest. Why does Tom have an interest in German 1930s locomotives? Lawrence Eggering has discovered the missing link in connecting CMRI to JMRI. This produces an interesting discussion. Tom and Lawrence talk about the second-hand market. Roger Chrysler has returned to his lead collection while attempting to sell his lead collection. In his own words, he's being more selective about what he does in the model railroading hobby. Clark Kooning is out of the water and picking up sessions thanks to Mike O'Dorney. Fredrik Just calls back in following his introduction on Show 200. What ideas does he present in this call? That we should embrace the childlike wonder in our hobby with inventive storytelling. Mike O'Dorney raises a sociological phenomenon which Tom can't leave alone. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#203

Mike Slater discovered a Lionel tunnel at an estate sale - questions ensue. Jim Gifford has still been mopping up from his disastrous 2020. Roscoe's layout has released some gremlins which seems to require pulling wire out. Jim as been doing modeling to bring his crew together. Tom welcomes on Lawrence Eggering to talk about how things have changed in the hobby for him. Tom calls out Lawrence RPO cars as being important in the legal problems for his layout's OC family. This podcast is here in the feed thanks to Robert J. Thomas who has been taking shows and editing them down for posting while I have been in Southern California waiting for the girls to arrive. Many thanks Robert for all your efforts here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#202

Martin Coombs has been exploring a new garden rail building material, PVC FoameX. Tom and Martin discuss the structures and the form of the garden layout. Simon Hill gives a brief hobby update then Tom and Simon talk about how folks at Bredgar are planning for the longer-term new normal. Gordy Robinson has been modeling snow in N scale. The snow provides information about the layout based on the speed of the trains through the snow. Tom wonders how Gordy's perspective has changed now he's on the NMRA board. Mike Kenefeck's layout reflects a problem Tom finds himself in too. Paul Best has made progress through lockdown with MERG (https://www.merg.org.uk). Mike O'Dorney has been vaccinated and wants to help out with Silicon Valley Lines on location. Tom has some light teasing for Mike Slater before they talk about preparing for Trainfest 2021. Clark Kooning has a timed update on what is going on in the hobby. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#201

Uncensored and semi-unedited!

Uncensored and semi-unedited!

Uncensored and semi-unedited!

Uncensored and semi-unedited!

Tom starts chatting with Neil Erickson about whether the end of year holds anything special for Neil about model railroading. When that topic fails, they explore American Flyer in contrast to that other big(her) manufacturer. Mike O'Dorney provides some advice about the hobby and as a parent in the hobby. Mike Slater has some serious opinions about Lionel and American Flyer. Ralph Renzetti has been exploring new techniques with AK Interactive Pencils. John Garaty has a few updates including one from the Prof remotely. This podcast is here in the feed thanks to Robert J. Thomas who has been taking shows and editing them down for posting. Many thanks Robert for all your efforts here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#199

Tom and Simon Hill share a very particular locomotive. What's Simon doing for the new normal? Martin Coombs has a historical question which is important with Tom's news. Clark Kooning could create a podcasting empire with his address book. They explore two building spaces for the one layout. This podcast is here in the feed thanks to Robert J. Thomas who has been taking shows and editing them down for posting while I have been in Southern California waiting for the girls to arrive. Many thanks Robert for all your efforts here. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#197

Mike O'Dorney has been observing modules from the UK. Clark Kooning has returned to the basement as the weather is moving towards freezing. Clark and Tom talk about a number of the topics raised by Mike. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#193

Mike O'Dorney wants to talk about a favorite magazine (not included in a recent parcel from Tom) and something about an abbey. Gordy Robinson is on the ballot for NMRA President. Simon Hill and Martin Coombs have some ideas about moving what they do onto YouTube and maybe an NMRAx in the future too. Gordy describes his layout space. Tom wraps up with Mike O'Dorney covering a number of additional topics mostly around module layouts and transporting them. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#192

Mike O'Dorney is the perfect guest as Tom has a lot of points to discuss with Mike. David Karkoski has been taking the lockdown seriously and has been using JMRI to create operation sessions (which he details through the recording). Lawrence Eggering occasionally sees European trains in his area but he has a bunch of work ahead thanks to some friendly clients. John Abatecola is recording remotely through the new normal. Clark Kooning is planning for some fall hobby time. Tom wants to conclude his chat with Mike O'Dorney about European modules. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#191

Gordy Robinson calls in following the somewhat controversial NRMA Leadership Forum. Tom welcomes back on David Rees. David provides a series of updates about Blue Rail Trains. Lionel Strang returns to Model Rail Radio to talk about AML and the future of the hobby. Ted Roy has been building water-related structures for a harbor with some strong selective compression. Lawrence Eggering has been teaching a hands-on Arduino call for the NMRA. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#190

Mike Kenefeck has raised his layout nearly to the ceiling. Simon Hill has been to Bredgar (and Wormshill Light Railway) and he has plans for the next few months. They discuss Show 200 and what it means to have longterm peer pressure to help you improve. Mike O'Dorney received some stuff from Tom and wants to use some of it for his NMRA Golden Spike. Mike talks about what he's working on during the new normal. Dave Barazza feels connected with Silicon Valley Lines in terms of their remote operating layout technology. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#189

Mike Deverell talks about scale of size and why arduinos are no the device of choice for his layout. Jamie Fenton is researching garden railroading while assembling a garden railroad and also will be returning to HO. Ron Klaiss and Tom discuss the upcoming Model Rail Radio/Mine Mount Models Layout Design Contest. John Garaty continues being a solitary modeler and has a designed cave-in on his layout - listen in to learn more. Tom offers an apology to Mike Slater who thankfully has called back in to MRR. Mike has been repainting some evilBay projects and playing with his 3d printer. Martyn Jenkins has made three tiny HO RC models. Tom wants to know what happens with twenty RC cars on a layout. Tom brings Clark Kooning in to talk with Martyn about the NMRA's skin in the game of NMRAx and the direction it should take. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#188

Joe Collins introduces his model railroading interests in south New Jersey. Dave Falkenburg is working on a new kind of camera car for remote layout operations. Jeff Shockley provides a Delmarva update - thankfully the club has good savings for the new normal. Roger Chrysler has been introducing the hobby to his grandson and has discovered specialist YouTube content relating to JMRI and signaling. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#187

Martin Coombs provides the new normal in England. Tom asks about the scale of a structure that Martin is building and Tom knows. Gordy Robinson talks very candidly about some of the problems he's encountered with NMRAx and sadly this is mainly non-technical in nature. What's in the future for Gordy? Lawrence Eggering has picked up a couple of new clients and has been working on weathering projects. Mike O'Dorney is being buzzed which digresses into a discussion of WW2 aircraft and YouTube channels Tom and Mike both enjoy. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#186

Ralph DeBlasi's new normal is distinctly different due to an extension of tax season. Ralph's Horizon Modules have fixed his workspace. Lawrence Eggering is still very much alive and he's been working on some new installations. Tom enjoyed seeing Neil Erickson's hobby space through NMRAx. Philip Taylor is essential so his new normal hasn't changed however he's now exploring what can be done for his NRMA region. Philip and Tom talk about NMRAx. Jim Gifford has returned home after six month exclusion. He outlines what can be recovered. Seth Gartner has been working outside but has missed out on the basement recently. Tom asks what features make a memorable scene for Seth and they discuss the many modeling forms of corn. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#185

Mike Slater has been working on old projects that he's been finally fixing for friends. Mike talks brass in his collection. Tom wants to know more about virtual Trainfest. What will change in Clark Kooning's presentation through the new normal video clinics. Tom asks about how to provide more joy in the virtual experience in the hobby. Chris Adams was part of the 24-hour NRMAx. What would a layout tour in a box look like? What technical equipment is needed for a layout tour to be filmed? They discuss the social aspect of the hobby and how to maintain it through the new normal. Chris identifies what the new normal has meant for him. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#184

Hunter Hughson introduces his interests in the Penn Central and his paper manufacturing modeling. He talks about the movement into a high quality home layout. Simon Hill has been working on a gantry crane and talks about exploring painting and weathering with the assistance of Martin Coombs. Simon and Tom explore soldering as a must-have skill. Martin seconds the discussion on soldering. What's been going on with Martin's garden layout? Ralph Watson has retired, moved and joined some local clubs including a model train club based in a mall. Roger Chrysler has some feedback on virtual clinics. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#183

Lawrence Eggering has been working on a grade crossing with Arduino sensors. Tom asks Lawrence about working on the same layout for twenty four years. Lawrence provides some new information about the origin of his layout. Tom talks about his experience observing a quilting event of his wife's in contrast to the model rail remote events. Mike Slater announces the reposition of Trainfest to a virtual event for this year at least. Clark Kooning has some thoughts on the future of clinics. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#182

Mike Slater has been building super trees for his module. Tom has watched the show Hoarders recently and wonders how Mike Slater and Mike O'Dorney avoid the hoarding aspect of the hobby. Clark Kooning and Tom talks about direction at the end of life. Clark and Tom also explore the hoarding issues in the hobby. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#181

Simon Hill has some thoughts about how the hobby will learn from the new normal. Tom raises Hornby as a model railroading company close to Simon. Simon has been adding a sound chip to a critter. Martin Coombs continues the discussion about Kent Garden Railways. Martin has been trying to fit the hobby into his lockdown. Martin and Simon talk about the speculative future of the Bredgar and Wormshill Light Railway (this is also revisited in a future recording with a full update). Paul Best also has a light railway that he's actively involve with and has some insights to the experiences there. What has Paul Best been up to? Martin is planning a lifting/swinging bridge. Roger Chrysler is going to be presenting a clinic at a virtual RPM meet. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#180

Tom asks Mike Slater about how he thinks the hobby will change through this period. Tom asks Mike about the bridge he is building in module form. Tom asks after James Rindt. (Please note we will be discussing the change with Trainfest 2020 in an upcoming recording with Mike Slater. The old audio is left in for coherency.) Clark Kooning offers a problem with deceased estates and the current time. In terms of modeling, Clark has finished his mountains and some grass but has been exploring micro-lighting on his layout. Will Merrell has been building modules for operations. Will would like to learn from the folks in the UK. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#179

Roger Chrysler has put down some benchwork amongst putting up drywall. Richard Kowalski is getting back into his 1900s shelf layout and going through a Sears catalog to provide inspiration. Mike O'Dorney talks about how his modular layout is very similar to Richard's layout and continues the discussion on the Sears catalog. The discussion of the hobby and technology demographics gets so esoteric only Clark Kooning can be called upon to give analysis. Tom talks with Mike Slater about his hopes for the future of the hobby and continues to provide an update on the bridge module he's building. Nigel Gartshore is nearly done with his shed sealing and has been planning his layout space with a no-lix. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#178