PODCAST · leisure
SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141
by SoundTraxx DCC
Welcome aboard! At SoundTraxx, our staff are modelers just like you. Join us as we share our journey through the captivating world of model railroading. Here we will share our knowledge, experiences, and projects with you. We will also chat with our friends in the hobby and the railroading industry to keep you up-to-date on all things trains. Hop on board and embark on an exciting adventure with us. Everyone is welcome from seasoned collectors to newcomers!
Episodes
-
Model Upgrades, the Rapido CF7, and CV Bit Structure (S3E21)
First, an apology! We lost the camera 2 angle and the screen recording of the Blunami app, so there are a few spots where you won’t see all the details you’re used to. Those dang marketing people getting too generous with the delete button!On the bright side, there’s plenty of model railroading...
-
Flex-Mapping & Function Defaults Explained | On Board with SoundTraxx (S3E20)
In this episode of On Board with SoundTraxx, Dave has ordered his first locomotive and is excited to install a decoder before heading to George’s layout for an operating session! For this week’s model show-off, George shares his Missouri Pacific ExactRail 3737 Bethlehem hoppers. He’s adding…
more -
New Faces, Blunami U30Cs & Dynamic Digital Exhaust (S3E19)
In this episode, we welcome our new Support Technician, David Kupratis, to the SoundTraxx team! We’re excited to have him on board and look forward to seeing what he brings to the position. For this week’s model show-off, George brings two MOPACAtlas U30C locomotives that he has upgraded with...
-
Colorado RPM Guests, Show Schedule & What to Expect (S3E18)
George is slacking this week—he hasn’t finished a project toshow off! But he makes up for it with some special guests from the ColoradoRPM. In this episode, George talks with the Colorado RPM teamabout the upcoming show schedule, what you can expect at the event, and why you should come join us....
-
From Real Trains to Saying Goodbye (S3 E17)
George takes us along for a recent trip to Albuquerque,where he got to see the 2026 Big Steam locomotive, ride the Rail Runner, and check out a uniquely painted Santa Fe Southern Railway locomotive. He also has photos and run-by videos to share from the trip. There’s no single class that teaches...
-
Blunami on DC, LED Troubleshooting & Avoiding Installation Mistakes (S3 E16)
George and Tom are back from the National Train Show withstories to tell! Tom shows off an Athearn Genesis Santa Fe F7, featuring a Blunami decoder and Mini Cube Speakers. Since this model will run on a DC layout, Tom also shares the custom braking rate he’s using and explains how Blunami gives…
more -
Disney, Train Shows & Building a Custom F7B (S3E15)
George and Tom kick off this episode by talking about George's recent Disney vacation before looking ahead to the train shows and events where you can meet the SoundTraxx team later this summer. Tom shares his latest project—a custom-painted Athearn Genesis F7B equipped with a Tsunami2 decoder.…
more -
Custom Builds, Train Shows & Checking Stall Current (S3E14)
George and Tom kick off this episode with a look at theupcoming train shows and events where you can meet the SoundTraxx team over the next few months. Tom shares the latest progress on his U-boat project,highlighting the custom details and upgrades he's adding to bring the model to life. George...
-
Mystery Project Reveal, 4th of July Railroads, & Wire Management Tips (S3E15)
George and Tom are getting ready for the Fourth of July bydiscussing how various railroads are doing the same. George also unveils his long-awaited mystery project—a beautifully customized Proto 2000 GP18 painted in a striking Missouri Pacific 1976 Bicentennial scheme. Equipped with a Blunami...
-
Built in Durango: Decoder Tours, a Custom GP15, and Why CVs Can't Break Your SoundTraxx Decoder (S3E12)
This week on SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141,George and take you behind the scenes to show how SoundTraxx decoders are designed and assembled right here in Durango, Colorado. Planning a trip throughtown? We offer scheduled facility tours, so be sure to reach out if you’ll bein the area....
-
Custom GP15-1 Upgrades, Mystery Projects & LED Wiring Tips (S3E11)
Tom shares his custom-painted Athearn Genesis GP15-1featuring upgraded lighting, steps, wheels, decals, and a Tsunami2 decoder.George’s mystery project is still underway, but the reveal is getting closer —and it will be worth the wait. The guys also break down one of the most common...
-
Collectible Swag, Loyalty Rewards & New Train Projects! (S3E10)
George and Tom talk about the limited-edition SoundTraxxswag you can collect, plus our new loyalty program for shoppers atSoundTraxx.com — the more you buy, the more you save! Tom shares updates on a GP15 custom project he’s beenworking on, while George drops hints about his next layout project....
-
Bringing Models to Life: NW2 Build, Tsunami2 Install, Echo & Reverb (S3E9)
Tom finally wraps up his Ziegler Coal NW2—fully painted,detailed, and ready to run. He walks through his Tsunami2 decoder install,sharing insights on detailing, painting, and dialing in performance. You’llalso see how he set up automatic lighting and fine-tuned deadband for smooth,prototypical...
-
Loco Rehabs, Slow-Speed Performance & Mastering Dynamic Digital Exhaust (DDE) (S3E8)
Tom takes on an older Atlas U23B, walking through plans torepaint, detail, and upgrade the decoder. George shares his MOPAC Proto 2000 GP38 equipped with Blunami—fully detailed and running beautifully at slow speeds. From there, the conversation shifts to Dynamic DigitalExhaust (DDE)…
more -
On the Rails & On the Road: Inside Spring Creek Model Trains (S3 E7)
George sits down with the team from Spring Creek ModelTrains, a truly unique hobby shop redefining what it means to serve model railroaders. While they do have a physical location—more of a “shoppable warehouse”—their reach goes far beyond four walls. From traveling to train shows as a mobile…
more -
Unlocking Decoder Features: Throttle Tips, Lighting Upgrades & Two New Installs (S3 E6)
Tom shares his newly painted Walthers NW2, now upgraded with a Tsunami2 TSU-N18 decoder. George has been working on a Rapido GP38, installing a Blunami decoder and adding new LEDs for improved lighting effects and motor control. They also discuss how to access the full range of SoundTraxxdecoder...
-
Road Trips, Rapido Upgrades & Choosing the Right Decoder (S3 E5)
George has been on the road! He recently visited Doc’sCaboose in Kansas City, Missouri, for a meet-and-greet, where he had the opportunity to operate on several incredible layouts. He shares stories from the trip along with photos from the operating sessions. Back in the workshop, Tom has been...
-
Blunami in Action & On the Road with Southeast Hobbies (S3 E4)
George is back with his BNSF GEVO, upgraded with a Blunamidecoder that he has been using for his walkthrough of the Blunami App. This impressive model features 20 added LEDs for outstanding lighting effects, making it the perfect teaching tool. The guys emphasize why it’s so important to read the...
-
Amherst 2026 Recap, Kato GP35 Rapido E8, Blunami Lighting Hacks + RGS 20 Chasing (S3 E3)
George and Tom recap the 2026 Amherst Railway Society Show! Despite plenty of snow, the turnout was strong, and the show was a great success. Tom shares his plans for a Kato GP35 Phase I B, debating whether to make it a GP28 or a GP35M and install a Blunami decoder. Meanwhile, George dives into…
more -
Brass Caboose Upgrades & Decoder Reset Basics (S3 E2)
George brings in a Missouri Pacific brass model caboose he painted, upgraded with new trucks, and outfitted with a SoundCar. Then Tom walks you through the correct way to reset the decoder, highlighting a crucial step that’s been missed a lot lately: cycling the power. Tune in for hands-on…
more -
Back on Track: Layout Planning, Realistic Operations, and Show Season Ahead (S3E1)
George and Tom are back after the holidays and talkingtrains once again! This week, they dive into layout building and Tom’s plans for a new home layout, with a focus on how real railroads operate—and how you can model those same practices through thoughtful layout construction and locomotive...
-
Rehab, Retail, and Getting Started with Blunami (S2 E22)
Tom kicks things off with an undecorated Bluford Shops Missouri Pacific caboose, sharing plans to paint it, add lighting, and install either a SoundCar decoder or a BLU-1100. George then brings in his “Rehab My Loco” Athearn SD40 to show how far a model can be elevated with some hands-on work and…
more -
Upgrades, Paint Prep & Decoder Confidence (S2 E21)
Tom kicks things off with an undecorated SW1200, walkingthrough his prep work before paint, lighting, and decoder installation. Meanwhile, George pulls his popular General off the shelf for a BLU-1100 upgrade. He covers what he customized on the model, how he dialed in thedecoder settings to...
-
Bringing the Hobby Shop to You with A&S Trains (S2 E20)
George and Tom are joined by Arron from A&S Trains to talk about the A&S website and their unique approach to traveling to tradeshows—bringing the full hobby shop experience right to attendees. From there, the conversation shifts into a deep dive on Blunami, where George, Tom, and Arron share why...
-
Making Your Layout Feel Bigger with Blunami & Realistic Operations (S2 E19)
Tom shows off his newly upgraded Athearn GP15-1 C&EI, now equipped with Blunami and renumbered. George brings his ScaleTrains D&RGW Rio Grande GP30—also upgraded with Blunami—and demonstrates full lighting control. Together, they dive into how SoundTraxx decoders can enhance your layout. By using...
-
Fall Projects (NW2 and On30 C-19) and Deadrail Discussion (S2 E18)
It’s fall in Durango, CO, and Tom has a new undecorated Walthers NW2 that he plans to paint to resemble a Zeigler Coal NW2. He’s also preparing to install a new BLU-1100 in it. Meanwhile, George shows off his Precision Scale On3 C-19 RGS 41, which he’s upgraded with Blunami. This model is...
-
What’s New in the Blunami App | CV Tools, Consisting & More (S2 E17)
George shows off our 35th Anniversary gear, available now on our website. He highlights some of our industry firsts, including our very first product, the Hyperlight, and our role in helping establish the DCC standard. Then, he gives a sneak peek at the new Blunami App for Apple devices…
more -
Talking Trains, Tips, and Blunami Updates (S2 E16)
George and Tom chat about their passion for customer service and connecting with fellow modelers. Tom shows off his upgraded Athearn Genesis GP38-2 featuring a Blunami BLU-21PNEM8 decoder, while George shares a fewmodeling tips and gives an update on his recently rebuilt Bachmann engine that…
more -
Show Season Recap, Decoder Talk & a Blunami Teaser (S2 E15)
Tom shares his modeling plans for a GP15, inspired by George’s Rehab My Loco series. With the paint stripped and the model prepped, he's ready to dive into upgrades—including a new Blunami decoder. Meanwhile, George shows off the nearly completed SD40 from his “Rehab My Loco” series, highlighting...
-
Decoder Upgrades and a Layout Horror Story from George (S2 E14)
Tom is hard at work on a 2010 Athearn Genesis GP15-1. He has given it a fresh paint job, cleaned the mechanism, added new wheels, installed a Blunami decoder, upgraded the speakers, added several detail parts, and is now focusing on upgrading the lighting. George doesn’t have a model to show off...
-
Welcoming Tom to the Team, Blunami Tips, and CV Tricks! (S2 E13)
We’re excited to introduce the newest member of our Support Team — Tom Austin! A lifelong model railroader and fast learner, Tom is already diving in and ready to help you get the most from your SoundTraxx products. In this video, Tom shows off his GP15-1 and chats with George about the...
-
Summer Travels, Upgraded Atlas GP38, and Decoder Installation Tips (S2 E12)
George shares how to find SoundTraxx Authorized Retailersall over the globe—perfect for discovering amazing hobby shops during your summer travels! He’s also been busy handling customer support as we wish Grahamwell on his new adventure and welcome Tom, our new support technician. In this video,...
-
Speaker Wiring Tips and Common Support Questions (S2 E11)
George has been fielding our support calls and emails over the past couple of weeks, and he’s noticed a few common themes. First, he strongly recommends checking out our User’s Guides—these are packed with helpful information and can answer many of your questions right away. He then takes a…
more -
Back to the Basics of Modeling & Colorado Model Railroad Museum Guests (S2 E10)
In this episode, George shares an inside look at his latest YouTube series, which takes a deep dive into the world of locomotive upgrades. From disassembling engines to installing detail parts, lighting, and modern decoders, he walks you through every step of the process. Later, George visits…
more -
Blunami Upgrades, LEDs, and Model Railroading Memories with George and Christopher Brown (S2 E9)
George brings out his InterMountain Tier 4 GEVO to show offhis impressive Blunami upgrade. He’s installed the BLU-21PNEM8 decoder and shares a full installation and setup video to help others do the same. George has also added a ton of lights to the model and gives a full demonstration of the...
-
Reviving Classic Engines with Blunami: A Cost-Effective Solution (S2E8)
Graham has been shopping on eBay and picked up a few new models. This week, he shows off his new Atlas Master engines, which he upgraded with Blunami decoders. George also shares his GP15, which he upgraded with Blunami as well. He talks about how he enhanced the lighting on this older model,...
-
Simplifying Blunami: Misconceptions & Tips (S2 E7)
Blunami works seamlessly in DCC, but our app removes the confusion of CVs and decoder setup. You can configure everything in the app, then switch to DCC operation with ease. Our decoders are full of features, so chances are, if you want your train to behave a certain way—it can! And if you’re...
-
Railrunner, GP15s, Lighting Upgrades & Tsunami2: Factory vs. Aftermarket (S2 E6)
On this week’s podcast, Graham showcases his True LineTrains Railrunner, upgraded with a Tsunami2 decoder and customized lighting. His enhancements include a directional headlight, backup light, illuminated number boards, a cab light, and ditch lights. Meanwhile, George discusses his brand-new...
-
Blunami Installed in an Atlas Master GP38-2 and an Athearn RTR SD40 (S2 E5)
This week, Graham has an Atlas Master GP38-2 upgraded with a Blunami BLU-21PNEM8 decoder, and George has outfitted an Athearn RTR SD40 with a host of added details and a Blunami decoder. We'll also be at the Chicago O Scale Meet in a couple ofweeks! Blunami is a game-changer for O Scalers…
more -
InterMountain F7 and a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-Model Show Off Plus Speed Matching (S2 E4)
You may have already met our new Support Technician, Graham, but we're excited to officially welcome him to the podcast! This week, George and Graham share their experiences upgrading older models with Blunami, including InterMountain F7A and F7B units and a Bachmann Spectrum 4-8-2 Light…
more -
January Show Recap + Interview with Kevin from Arnie's Trains (S2 E3)
In this episode, we share the highlights from our January shows, covering the latest updates and standout moments. Plus, we sit down with Kevin from Arnie’s Trains for an exclusive interview. He shares insights on the model train industry, his passion for the hobby, and what’s new at Arnie’s...
-
Decoder Design and Real-World Simulation with Blunami-equipped Models (S2 Ep2)
George discusses the design and manufacturing of decoders in Durango, CO. He showcases his upgraded SD40-2C and SD40 models from Athearn, equipped with Blunami and LEDs. Additionally, he explains how Blunami features can simulate the real-world operations of these locomotives.
-
George's Layout Tour (S2 E1)
This week’s podcast is a special one! George takes us on a tour of his home layout, showcasing the impressive expansions and upgrades he’s made since his last reveal. There’s a lot to explore—let’s dive in!
-
Blunami Install Tips and Easily Setting up a Realistic Consist (Episode 13)
George showcases two Athearn GP38s equipped with BLU-PNP8s and a Proto 2000 GP38 fitted with a BLU-21PNEM8. He discusses the decoder installations, upgrading these models with LEDs, and demonstrates just how simple it is to consist these locomotives using the Blunami Android App.
-
Trainfest Recap, GP38 with Blunami and LEDs, and Norman’s Announcement (Episode 12)
George upgraded an Athearn GP38 with Blunami and added LEDs to the headlight, rear headlight, class lights, number boards, and ground lights. These lights are all labeled by their name and controlled by the press of a button in the Blunami App.
-
Rio Grande SD40T-2, Kato Steeple Cab Electric Switcher, and SurroundTraxx (Episode 11)
George shows off a Scale Trains Rio Grande SD40T-2 and Norman is working on a Kato steeple cab electric switcher that he will run with SurroundTraxx (get realistic train sounds that move with your train without the need for onboard speakers or decoders).
-
George’s New Fuel Loading Platform & Easy Consisting with Blunami (Episode 10)
George showcases his upgraded Walthers Fuel Loading Kit and provides an overview of how easy consisting is with the Blunami App – no CVs required! Now, you can spend more time enjoying running your trains instead of calculating CVs for setup.
-
44 Tonner and Interview with Amazing Modeler: Reggie Thomas (Episode 9)
Check out Rapido’s new 44 Tonner and we talk to Reggie Thomas an avid user of SoundTraxx products and an amazing modeler. See his models, his layout, and talk trains with the guys from SoundTraxx!
-
Dynamometer Car, Speaker Selection, & Special Guest Matt from ReSourced Rails (Episode 8)
In this episode, Norman shows off his Dynamometer car, discusses how to select a speaker for your decoder, and we welcome special guest Matt Dowd from ReSourced Rails. This is a fun one, don’t miss out!
-
Special Guest Mike from Red’s Train Repair and Doc’s Caboose (Episode 7)
George has upgraded a couple of Rapido F40PHs with Blunami, weathering, HEP mode, and various lights. We also talk with Mike from Doc’s Caboose in Kansas City, MO about their services and the SoundTraxx products that are most popular in their area.
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome aboard! At SoundTraxx, our staff are modelers just like you. Join us as we share our journey through the captivating world of model railroading. Here we will share our knowledge, experiences, and projects with you. We will also chat with our friends in the hobby and the railroading industry to keep you up-to-date on all things trains. Hop on board and embark on an exciting adventure with us. Everyone is welcome from seasoned collectors to newcomers!
HOSTED BY
SoundTraxx DCC
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 have?
SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 about?
Welcome aboard! At SoundTraxx, our staff are modelers just like you. Join us as we share our journey through the captivating world of model railroading. Here we will share our knowledge, experiences, and projects with you. We will also chat with our friends in the hobby and the railroading industry...
How often does SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 release new episodes?
SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141?
You can listen to SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141?
SoundBytes: Train Talk from Milepost 141 is created and hosted by SoundTraxx DCC.
URL copied to clipboard!