Unless you've been living completely off the grid over the last few months, you know that the business of model railroading is facing unprecedented challenges. On this episode of What's Happening In Model Railroading, Jason Shron and Jordan Smith from Rapido Trains share insights into the manufacturing of model railroad products, the people who make the locomotives and rolling stock, and the market that is created by our hobby. Whether you are for or against tariffs or are somewhere in between, their impact is undeniable and Rapido shares their take on them. Later, Jason and Jordan discuss new releases including one that has Ray rebuilding his layout to accommodate.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/161

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/

Hanging with the homies - that's what we do at the St. Louis RPM. Two of those "homies", Lonnie Bathurst and Scott Thornton, make their annual stop at the ATLP Studio to tell us all about the 18th Annual edition of this great event. Lonnie tells us what makes the STL RPM such a special event and Scott shares why it's on his calendar every year. We also discuss the events in and outside of the Gateway Center, all centered around the comradery that comes with being around like minded folks.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/162

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

You know what they say about best laid plans? On this episode of Around The Layout, we do some catching up with Mike Landis and his MKT Sedalia Sub, which is on the move to his new home. Mike tells us how the first version of the layout was supposed to make the move with him, but how that idea got derailed and a new strategy has taken its place.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/158

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

It's time once again to head to Springfield, Massachusetts for the 23rd Annual Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet. Dave Owens comes by the ATLP studio to tell us all about what the Amherst Railway Society has in store. From vendors to models on display and a long list of informative clinics, the NERPM is an event all modelers can be inspired by. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/159

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/

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