Proto-Future and the Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading
by G4
This is a joint feed for the Beginner’s Guide to Model Railroading (BGT) and the Proto-Future Podcast (PFP), a fresh take on model railroading which covers modern transit, intercity passenger rail, and walkable, climate-just, and racially equitable urban environments.
Episodes
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 7: SMART
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 6: DCTA A-Train
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 5: CapMetro Rail
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 4: TriMet WES
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 3: NCTD Sprinter
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 2: NJT River LINE
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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[Audio] Modeling US DMUs Part 1: Introduction
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US. Video found at: https://www.youtube.com/@_G_IV Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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MUSDMUs Part 0: Teaser
Audio from the YouTube video series describing my journey to visit, ride, and bicycle every DMU system in the US Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future 20: How to model Modern Transit, Part 3: FLIRTing with Layout Design
In part three of this three-part series, I explain the ways in which layouts can host modern transit and modeling-relevant operations, giving examples for layouts small, medium, and large for how to realistically and entertainingly model walking, bicycling, busses, streetcars…
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Proto-Future 19: How to model Modern Transit, Part 2: Passenger Trains on Shelf Layouts
In part two of this three-part series, I explain the ways in which modern transit are relevant to model railroad operations, highlighting the available models and strategies for depicting walking, bicycling, busses, streetcars, trams/straßenbahnen, light rail, stadtbahnen, tram-trains, DMUs…
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Proto-Future 18: How to model Modern Transit, Part 1: What is Modern Transit Anyway?
In part one of this three-part series, I explain the recent history and political implications of modern transit, being: walking, bicycling, busses, streetcars, trams/straßenbahnen, light rail, stadtbahnen, tram-trains, DMUs, heavy rail subways, schnellbahnen/RERs, intercity rail, long...
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BGT Episode 28: Operating your Model Railroad
Everything you need to know to begin operating on your, or any model railroad. CTC, ABS, Timetables, Train Orders, Car Cards, and Waybills are all exhaustively, thoroughly, and clearly explained. Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future 17: Interview with Tyler Trahan Part 2
Part 2 of an interview with modeler savant, Tyler Trahan, talking about passenger trains, modeling, politics, news, and urbanism. Link to the WTYP Bonus Episode Preview on Dining Cars: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikq0lP9oQgI Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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PFP Bonus 4: Autism in STEM
A bonus narration of my sole-author peer-reviewed scientific literature review in mBio: https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/mbio.00873-25?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori:rid:crossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%20%200pubmed Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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PFP Bonus 3: Transit is Not Euclidean, a Mini-festo
A bonus discussion on urbanism, advocacy, and completely banning cars. Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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BGT Episode 27: [Railroad History Miniseries 6] Mid-Atlantic Class IIIs
This episode covers the history of the Class III shortline and narrow-gauge railroads in the Mid-Atlantic Region, including the Camden and Amboy, Ma&Pa, and Surry, Sussex, and Southhampton. Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future 16: Interview with Lucid Stew on High Speed Rail Politics
A discussion on Low, Higher, and High Speed Rail, infrastructure politics, and Lucid Stew's history and growth as a creator. Check out Lucid Stew’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@LucidStew Stew’s original two videos on CAHSR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBjsW19jak8...
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Proto-Future 15: How to Ride Amtrak Part 2: Reserving and Riding a Train
Part 2 of how to ride Amtrak, finding a train, understanding service classes, booking a ticket, waiting at the station, and the onboard experience, recorded from the Coast Starlight.
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Proto-Future 14: Interview with Tyler Trahan Part 1, Urbanism, Train Clubs, Railroad Museums, and Equity
Part 1 of an interview with modeler savant, Tyler Trahan, covering his history in model railroading, museum, and steam railroading, and his thoughts on manifestos, passenger trains, virtual modeling, club inclusivity, and public outreach. Please consider donating at https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future 13: How to Ride Amtrak Part 1: The Entire Timetable
Part 1 of how to ride Amtrak, giving a brief history and describing the destinations and operations of every single route on the timetable, recorded onboard the Sunset Limited.
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Proto-Future 12: GAP Pilot, Part 2
The second part of a pilot episode I recorded in 2023, exploring Pittsburgh and biking on the GAP trail back to Connellsville. The City Cast Pittsburgh episode on the Silence of the Lambs house can be found here:...
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Proto-Future 11: Layout, Life, and Podcast Update, 2025
This episode is a layout construction progress update amid some pretty major life changes: writing my and defending my Ph.D. dissertation, and looking to move overseas for safety. What will happen next to the layout and podcast? Listen on... A final reminder to support CAN:...
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Proto-Future 10: Introducing the Centre County Highway Revolt
In this episode, I describe a project I've been working on with some friends to end car-dependency all across America, not just in cities, and details the many reasons why cars are always harmful to the environment, our health, and our economic prosperity. The Centre County Highway Revolt is a...
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Proto-Future 9: GAP Pilot, Part 1
The first part of a pilot episode I recorded, testing out the concept of PFP before I released the Manifesto, where I Amtraked from Connellsville to Pittsburgh, explored Pittsburgh, and biked back. A reminder to support CAN: https://creatoraccountabilitynetwork.org
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BGT Episode 26: Structures
This episode finally gets us around to the "model" part of model railroading, teaching you how to prepare, paint, glue, brace, and detail either plastic or laser-cut wood kits. The different types of kits and glues are discussed, as well as scratch-building and kit-bashing, painting with an...
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BGT Episode 25: [Railroad History Miniseries 5] Mid-Atlantic Class IIs
This episode covers the history of the Class II railroads in the Mid-Atlantic Region, primarily the Reading, Central Railroad of New Jersey, Penn-Reading Seashore Lines, and Northern Central.
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Proto-Future 8: I heart New York???
G4's take on NYC's Congestion Pricing, just in the nick of too late. Plus a report of a recent trip to a live show between City Nerd and the War on Cars in NYC, as well as bicycling around Baltimore, DC, NYC, and Philly.
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BGT Episode 24: Q&A 4, Requiem
Much thanks to all those whom asked a question! Feel free to reach out here: https://www.bgtmrring.org/contact Link to the subsequent interview with Tom Barbalet on Model Rail Radio found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio/id335536272?i=1000634820061
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Proto-Future 7: Interview with Tom Barbalet
A one(-ish) year checkup with Tom Barbalet, talking about his incredibly enduring perspective of model railroading, how the hobby has changed over the years, the direction of modeling, transit, urbanism, geopolitics, artificial life simulations, and exobiology. Model Rail Radio/Video Listen to…
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Proto-Future 6: It's up to us now
This episode addresses the elephant in the room: that America is a now a fascist, dying country. What do we do now, and how do we fight back against the racist conservative idiots that are stealing our freedoms? Please, please donate to: The Freedom from Religion Foundation Nova Ukraine Anera…
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BGT Episode 23: [Railroad History Miniseries 4] Mid-Atlantic Class Is
This episode covers the history of the Class I railroads in the Mid-Atlantic Region, primarily the New York Central and Erie-Lackawanna. Roundhouse Podcast M497 Black Beetle Episode: https://theroundhousepodcast.com/2018/03/19/jet-powered-train-the-story-of-m497/ Well There’s Your Problem Penn...
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Proto-Future 5, Part 4: Inaugural Borealis, Day 4 – Metra Montage
David Sotokarlin's Chicago 2040 Plan: https://www.davidsotokarlin.com/chicago2040 Lucid Stew's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@LucidStew/videos And the episode in which I got a shout-out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffdJAM5RZro Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode…
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Proto-Future Bonus 2: Episode Catchup, Madison Takedown
In this brief episode, I explain why I'm delaying Borealis 4 and offer a bonus essay on a trip to Madison, Wisconsin. The bicycle in question is here: https://www.ternbicycles.com/us/bikes/473/vektron-s10
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Proto-Future 5, Part 3: Inaugural Borealis, Day 3 – Dignitaries Car
The League of American Bicyclists Zoom given by Derrick James and Moriah Morales is here: https://youtu.be/YE6oJ7quCnM?si=CQetZzVpGOMgCHFE Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future 5, Part 2: Inaugural Borealis, Day 2 – Minneapolis Speedrun and the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/bgtmrring
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Proto-Future and Beginner's Guide Trailer
Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
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Proto-Future 5, Part 1: Inaugural Borealis, Day 1 – Keystone, SEPTA, Airport Philosophy, and the Metric System for Sounds
Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
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Proto-Future 4: G4 Buffet: Lewistown, Layout Diary 1, and the Grocery Store
Learn more at https://www.bgtmrring.org/ Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
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BGT Episode 22: Scenery Part 3: Pedosphere Part 2: Trees, Water, Ballast, and Details
This episode covers the different ways of making deciduous and evergreen trees, pouring epoxy water systems, ballasting track, and adding scenic details.
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Proto-Future Prologue 3: Rochester, MN
Clinics can be accessed here: https://www.bgtmrring.org/clinics Episode Patreon blog and donations here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/proto-future-3-99401021?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
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BGT Episode 21: Scenery Part 2: Pedosphere Part 1: Dirt and Foliage
Thank you all for sticking around this long! After over two thousand days of intermittently podcasting, we now finally get to make some scenery! Herein, I discuss ground staining, dirt, grass, and bushes.
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Proto-Future Bonus 1: G4 Imitates Noah Lugeons
So, here’s the story: When I first wrote and recorded this episode, I didn’t know if the sultans of swearing would honor me to share their supreme statements on stateside shame, so I recorded a version of the diatribe, myself, in the event they didn’t get back. Fantastically, they did, and I’m…
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Proto-Future Prologue 2: G4's Story
Extra-special thanks to Puzzle in a Thunderstorm and all their podcasts. You can find their website here: https://scathingatheist.com and their podcasts following: The Scathing Atheist: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-scathing-atheist/id594676720 The Skepticrat:...
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BGT Episode 20: Q&A 3
Much thanks to all those whom asked a question! Feel free to reach out here: https://www.bgtmrring.org/contact Link to the subsequent interview with Tom Barbalet on Model Rail Radio found here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/model-rail-radio/id335536272?i=1000634820061
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Proto-Future Prologue 1: The Manifesto
‘Nuff said
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BGT Episode 19: [Railroad History Miniseries 3] Railroads of Southern New England
After far too long of a wait, I’ll examine the history of railroads in Southern New England and the Northeastern Mid-Atlantic states, as well as give you an update on whither I think this podcast will go, hinting at potentially big things later.
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BGT Episode 18: Scenery Part 1: Terrain (Lithosphere) Building, and Springfield Presentation Update
In this episode, I explain my absence, then tell you about making scenery landforms with plaster cloth, foam board, and other techniques, then finish with teaching you how to cast rocks. Be sure to visit me at Springfield this year to watch my new presentation!
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BGT Episode 17: [Railroad History Miniseries 2] Railroads of Northern New England
In this episode, I’ll examine the history of railroads in Northern New England, starting with the Class Is, moving towards regionals and shortlines, and ending with a look at some of the most unique small railroads and operations with long-lasting historical significance.
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BGT Episode 16: Bonus Essay: Westworld
In this episode, I’ll reward you for my tardiness by reading aloud a personal essay on the subjects of narrative and autonomic artificial intelligence as they relate to building and operating a model railroad, respectively.
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BGT Episode 15: Track Laying, Part 2
In this episode, I’ll show you how to prepare roadbed, lay track, and wire it all up for derailment-free operation. I cover centerline transcribing, gluing roadbed, cutting, wiring, and laying track, and testing it all to ensure smooth running.
About this show
This is a joint feed for the Beginner’s Guide to Model Railroading (BGT) and the Proto-Future Podcast (PFP), a fresh take on model railroading which covers modern transit, intercity passenger rail, and walkable, climate-just, and racially equitable urban environments.
Hosted by
G4