What if I were to tell you that a group of enthusiasts could come together to run a massive modular layout without having a big book of rules or a governing body? Allow us to introduce you to the Sipping & Switching Society of North Carolina, where the name is as about as formal as these folks get, yet they successfully gather half a dozen times a year to do what this hobby was meant for - have fun! Society member Glen Frix gives us some insight into how this all works and how their lack of formal structure has drawn in a diverse group of module owners. Later, we hear answers to the Question of the Month submitted by our listeners.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/157

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.com

Thank you to our episode sponsor, 18Ten Designs:
https://www.1810designs.com/

ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released July 11, 2023

We head back to Central New York to hear Bill Brown's amazing story of triumph over tragedy and how a great group of friends helped him recover from disaster. Bill shares his origin story, then tells how becoming a member of the CNY Division of the NMRA provided him with incredible opportunities to further his modeling skills and led to meeting the folks that would become lifelong friends. Bill also reflects on memories of Jim Heidt, the first leader of the CNY Division and a dear friend to many, who passed away on June 12th. Closing out the show, Bill tells us about his involvement in Ops 'Til You Drop, a CNY Division event that's become a weekend not to miss.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:
https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.com/

It's time once again to find out What's Happening In Model Railroading and joining Model Railroad News editor Tony Cook and Ray Arnott this month is Jim Wiggin, Associate Brand Manager and star of Athearn's Train Tuesdays. Jim tells us that lighting functions are hot right now and shares with us some of the work that goes into adding these sought after details to the Athearn offerings. Later, Tony and Ray discuss products from Roka, Walthers, Athearn, Bluford Shops and more. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/155

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.com

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released March 28, 2023

The Around The Layout (less than) six degrees of separation has led us to Matt Freix. A friend of past guests Dave Oppensano and Isaac Fabris, Matt joins us and tells his model railroading story; from his childhood modeling with a shovel of dirt on a 4x8 sheet of plywood to a beautifully finished basement where his Gateway Western's Subdivision 6 resides. Matt tells us about the prototype of his current layout and how friends, both in human and quick clamp form have helped him along his journey to recapture the glory of 1995. Matt also talks about the decision process of farming out tasks and how it has helped him focus on the parts of the hobby he enjoys.

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:
https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, 18Ten Designs:
https://www.1810designs.com/

How can we make our layout operating sessions bulletproof? On this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace, Don sits down 1 on 1 with host Ray Arnott in-person at the ATLP Studio to share the lessons learned over 20 years and hundreds of his own operating sessions to create an amazing experience for his operators. We learn that success starts with proper planning and continues through being intentional about layout design, construction and maintenance and Don tells us how attention to detail can pay off with trains that run like a dream. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/156

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, 18Ten Designs:
https://www.1810designs.com/

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released June 25, 2024

A litte freelance model railroading amongst friends - that's what we get with Brian Sopke's Benton & Southern. Brian shares with us his model railroading journey that led him to team with a friend to create a freelance model railroad that connects them together. Additionally, Brian tells us what he learned by starting over, taking down a layout of frustration and creating his current railroad using lessons from the past.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:
https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.com

Analysis Paralysis, the terrible condition that keeps many from getting the stuff we bought out of the closet, to the workbench and on to our layouts. Lance Mindheim is back with another new book under his arm, written to help his readers get the flywheel turning and keep it moving. Lance talks about industry selection and shares how the book can guide model railroaders along the path of layout design and expressing their own artistic creativity.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/154

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.com

ATLP Rewind - Episode orginally released June 11, 2024

It's been way too long since we've heard from John Farrington and there was quite a bit to catch up on. Since the last time we talked, John has not only gone bigger with his layout, he's also gone freelance with a great railroad name and an awesome logo thanks to a very talented graphic artist that's a familiar name here on the podcast. John also talks about doing custom work for others, including myself, and debunks the old Mark Twain saying "good fences make good neighbors" when it comes to getting guidance and support with his model railroad. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Highball Graphics:
https://highballgraphics.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:
https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Want to make your layout come alive? Come along with Dr. Mini and I on this adventure down the rabbit hole into the world of super detailing. Miniprints' Bernard Hellen leads the way as we dive deep on the why behind creating scenes that tell well composed stories, sharing the thoughts from several outstanding modelers. Ultimately, the hobby is supposed to be fun, and Bernard tells us how super detailing can be the motivator that keeps your flywheel turning. Stay tuned towards the end and learn how "I" can come visit your layout with a great deal from miniprints.com.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/153

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Spring Creek Model Trains:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, 18Ten Designs:
https://www.1810designs.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ScaleSigns.com:
https://scalesigns.com/

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released June 4, 2024

On this episode of Around The Layout, we meet Alex Mantle and learn about his model railroading journey. From California to Alaska to London and eventually on to Wyoming, Alex tells us how an attic find boosted his model railroading journey, his "practice layouts" and how he's gone big with his freelanced Chicago, Denver and Northern, sharing how he developed his backstory, paint scheme and chose the industries on his layout. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/rewind

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Oak Hill Model Railroad Track Supply:
https://ohrtracksupply.com/

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Tully Models:
https://tullymodels.com/