Saint Louis, Missouri - home of the Gateway Arch, and just about in the shadow of this national landmark resides the granddaddy of all railroad prototype modelers meets. Lonnie Bathurst, show producer, and frequent attendee Scott Thornton, tell us what makes the STLRPM a show that draws so many to the midwest in July to share models, knowledge, skills and, most importantly, comradarie. Lonnie shares this year's show theme, highlights the must-see events and tells us what we need to know to attend and display models at the show. 

Thank you to our episode sponsor, Scale Modeling by Kevin J. Tully:
https://steelmillmodelerssupply.com/

Learn more about this episode and find additonal links on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/episodes/104






Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

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. Click the link below:
aroundthelayout.com/episodes/103

Follow Around The Layout on social media:
aroundthelayout.com/social

Support the podcast and get the chance to win free stuff by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew:
aroundthelayout.com/crew



Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

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.

Learn more about this episode and check out images of the Gateway Western Subdivision 6:
https://www.aroundthelayout.com/episodes/34



Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

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. 

Check out the Chicago, Denver & Northern on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@chicagodenvernorthern999

Follow Alex and the CD&N on Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/chicago_denver_northern/

Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast


Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com


Follow us on social media: aroundthelayout.com/social


Send us an email: [email protected]


Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released August 16, 2022

Dave Oppedisano joins us to talk about his BNSF Lakeside Subdivision layout. Ray and Dave met at the New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet in Springfield MA, and they discuss this event and Dave's presentation during NERPM. Dave tells us about the Lakeside Sub area and the parts he's incorporating into his layout. He also shares advice about choosing backdrop materials and shares his passion for all things electronics.

Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
aroundthelayout.com/crew


Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com


Connect with us on social media: aroundthelayout.com/social


Send us an email: [email protected]

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


Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

Professional Model Railroad builder and author Lance Mindheim returns to Around The Layout Podcast with a new book under his arm. Lance tells us his why behind his new series "Shortlines You Can Build" and introduces us to Volume 1 - Miami's Swamp Rat. Lance and I discuss several of the points made in the book and how you can apply them to nearly any railroad you're planning. Later, Lance tells about yet another how-to book coming out that you can pre-order now.

Thank you to our show sponsor, Weather My Trains:
https://weathermytrains.com/


Learn more about today's episode:
aroundthelayout.com/episodes/101

Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Follow us on social media:
aroundthelayout.com/social


Send us an email: [email protected]



Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

45 shows a year - that's an amazing amount of traveling for the folks at Spring Creek Model Trains, who found some time in their busy schedules to join Tony Cook and I on this month's What's Happening In Model Railroading episode. Brothers Mike and Jeff Zucker share what it's like to move the big show around and how, over the last 24 years, have grown their business in a town of less than 800 people into a destination hobby shop. Later, Tony brings us the latest from Rapido, Walthers, Sylvan, Athearn and more.

Check out Spring Creek Model Trains website:
https://www.springcreekmodeltrains.com/

Links to all products mentioned on this episode can be found at: aroundthelayout.com/episodes/100

Subscribe to Model Railroad News and keep up with all that's happening in model railroading:
https://modelrailroadnews.com/

Take a trip through model railroad history on Tony's Model Train Resource:
https://modeltrainresource.com/

Ask Tony your question for next month's What's Happening In Model Railroading Show:
https://www.aroundthelayout.com/asktony

Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast

Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout

Send us an email: [email protected]



Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released October 25, 2022

On this episode, we head back to the Lone Star State and talk to Greg McComas, owner of the Michigan Interstate St. Clair Subdivision and MAC Rail Products. Greg fills us in on how the idea for his freelance railroad developed, then shares how he's implemented his vision on his double deck layout. We also learn how MAC Rail was born out of a necessity to create niche parts and has grown to supplying those hard to find modern details.

Like and follow the Michigan Interstate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069293202704

Check out MAC Rail's offerings here: https://macrailproducts.com/

Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout

Send us an email: [email protected]

Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

There's no doubt that Don Irace, famous for his Providence & Worcester layouts, is passionate about operations and, on this episode, we focused on just that. Don tells us about the top 2 things that should be prioritized for good operating sessions and shares some helpful advice on the steps one should take to ensure their railroad will be reliable. He also tells us about setting up remote operations, a practice that has allowed him to participate in sessions from afar and allows others to dispatch his layout from outside the Sunshine State. Later in the show, we make an announcement about a new monthly show featuring Don Irace.

See more of Don’s Providence & Worcester layout on his YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/@ThePWMRR

Follow the PWMRR on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/ProvidenceWorcesterModelRailroad

For more info on Don’s layout, check out his website:
https://pwrr2.weebly.com/

During our discussion on remote operations, Don mentions a USB sound card adapter. You can purchase one here:
https://a.co/d/fkByh48

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

Support the podcast and get yourself signed up for free giveaways by becoming a member of the ATLP Operating Crew!
patreon.com/AroundTheLayoutPodcast


Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com


Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout


Send us an email: [email protected]


Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released December 6, 2022

It’s Santa Fe All The Way on this episode of Around The Layout as we talk to Oklahoma’s own Sammy Carlile about his Santa Fe Hereford Subdivision HO scale layout. We learn how train trips as a kid fostered Sammy’s love for trains and especially the Santa Fe. We also hear about his passion for railroad photography; the challenges of pre-digital photography that we may have forgotten about and how these captures became a great resource for modeling. Additionally, we learn how his son Samuel has taken on both hobbies, with the layout and cameras now shared between father and son.

Check out Samuel Carlile’s YouTube channel, which includes video of the layout and more.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtRRycbVo9T_sKjydNVCIYg

Also visit Steve Davis’ YouTube channel for great operations videos on the Hereford Sub.
https://www.youtube.com/user/TTownTrainFan

Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.com

Follow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayout

Send us an email: [email protected]

Visit our website at aroundthelayout.com

Become a member of our Operating Crew for chances to win and much more!
aroundthelayout.com/crew

Around The Layout Podcast is a production of Thirty Five Productions LLC

©2026 Thirty Five Productions LLC. All rights reserved.

The views and opinions expressed by hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Thirty Five Productions LLC or our sponsors.

Use of any trademarks or trade names is for identification purposes only and does not imply endorsement.

No portion of this podcast may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written permission of Thirty Five Productions LLC, except for brief quotations used for purposes of review, commentary, or promotion.