Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

Finding your people. Perhaps that's the best part of a RPM event and Dave Owens from the New England Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet comes by to tell us how you can come find your people at this gathering that has been connecting modelers for 24 years. Dave tells us how you can make the most of your NERPM experience by bringing models, asking questions and joining in on all the fun, laughter and information sharing that goes on all weekend. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/229

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

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

Thank you to our episode 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.

A special interest group dedicated to promoting model railroad operations with an achievement program designed to encourage participation. That's the topic on this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace as we catch up with Paul Weiss from OPSIG. Paul brings us up to speed on the AP program he announced on Around The Layout Podcast back in August. Paul shares how you can get involved in earning achievements and helping others work towards theirs. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/223

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

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/

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 - Episode Originally Released March 25, 2025

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. Later, we hear answers to the Question of the Month submitted by our listeners.

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

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

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

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.

How can a layout not only bring back childhood memories, but also help create new ones? That's what Justin Jankauskus is creating with his D&H Penn Division HO scale layout. Justin tells us about his early life influences and how they led him back to the D&H in the 1970's after a long break in the hobby. Stay tuned to the end for a special guest who tells us his take on the layout and his future plans and how Justin has incorporated him into their layout and operating sessions in the area.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/222

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

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/



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 - Episode Originally Released March 11, 2025

On this episode of Talking Ops with Don Irace, we head to Fort Worth, Texas to the Michigan Interstate St. Clair Sub of Greg McComas. Greg talks us through the development of his operating scheme on his 13'x12' double deck layout that provides hours of enjoyment for up to 4 operators. He also shares how he used the FLEX approach to ensure he ended up with the layout and operating scheme he wanted. 

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

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

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

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.

The golden era of model railroading that we enjoy undoubtely includes the ability to share our layouts, projects and models online. On this episode, we're joined by Tim Garland, owner of the Seaboard Central HO scale model railroad, who has used his freelance railroad to create content for his Seaboard Central YouTube channel. Tim shares his process, including content planning, production and how sharing what he's learned in his layout build has helped him. Later, we hear answers to the Question of the Month submitted by our listeners. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/221


This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

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/

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.

Let's get down to business by talking business cars. Broadway Limited has been taking care of business in this category lately, and Curtis Koch from BLI comes by to tell us about their recent announcements at the Railroad Hobby Show that provides quite a selection of road names and phases for railroads of many eras. Curtis also shares how you can incorporate business trains into your operations. Mike Zucker from Spring Creek Model Trains tells us What's Trending and Eric Hansmann provides his monthly RPM Report that includes quite a few shows this spring. 

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/220

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

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

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ModelTrainBox.com:
https://modeltrainbox.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.

ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released March 17, 2025

Want to know what the "Right-Sized Layout" is for you? Start with a mirror. That's just some of the advice shared by author and model railroader Thomas Klimoski. Tom wrote the book "Building The Right-Sized Layout" and he walks us through the thought process to ensure that you're on track for the layout that's a perfect fit for you. Then Tom and I listen to the answers to the Question of the Month - What is the ideal length of an operating session and why?

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

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

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

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 February 11, 2025

On this month's Talking Ops with Don Irace, we're talking big operations with the owner of the BNSF Fall River Division, John Parker. John shares with us what it's like to prepare for and manage operations on his large layout. From track cleaning to crew selection and keeping them all busy, John gives a deep dive into what it takes to keep the BNSF moving.

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

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

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

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.

With thousands of operating sessions under his belt, Don Irace sure has a lot to share when it comes to hosting. On this episode, Don walks us through his workflow, starting with organizing the operating session and preparation that starts days before. Don also tells us how he encourages feedback from his operators and how that feedback helps ensure a great experience for each subsequent group.

Learn more about this episode on our website:
aroundthelayout.com/226

This episode of Around The Layout is Powered By Rapido Trains:
https://rapidotrains.com/

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

Thank you to our episode sponsor, ModelTrainBox.com:
https://modeltrainbox.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.