Mike Slater is on lockdown, working through NMRA regulations and hopes Trainfest will be the first train show after the lockdown. Mike and Tom talk about the Twin Cities live Facebook videos they have been publishing. Mike O'Dorney is maximizing his productivity, saving money in not traveling and building lighter modules. Will Lawrence introduces his Nova Scotia model railroading interests. Tom talks with Clark Kooning about the difficulty of judging models. Seth Gartner may no longer be on the front lines but he could be doing a video operating session if his friends have anything to do with it. Ron Klaiss is working through the day and designing kits at night. Ben Rechel has a couple of updates for the show. Neil Erickson is about to golden spike his layout. He and Tom talk about travel and meeting people. http://www.modelrailradio.com/archive.html#171

Model Rail Radio #171: Anticipated Coffee Machine [March 28, 2020]

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John Syzemanski is now retired and reports on tasks for his own projects, participating in ops sessions, and visiting a few layouts in the area. Tom and John discuss the steam proto-throttle development. Martin Coombs has several updates from a game-changing laser cutter upgrade, to new fox-proof ballasting techniques, to the latest on upcoming layout exhibits. Martin describes a successful Christmas season at Bredgar. Tom asks about 16mm modeling, when Martin describes a smoke generator technique with "ultrasonic chuff generation". Martin is happy to be back on a role with several projects and colleagues in the hobby. Martin goes on to describe Light Burn software and use with Illustrator files. Dave Barraza is building a staging yard where no one should build a staging yard.  He continues to challenge operators, and signal installation looks a bit too much like his day job.  John Gardiner IV is back from the Springfield show and is feeling like a real podcaster. John is working on a layout set in the 2040s with a fine back story. Tom hopes to record more frequently. Thanks to Robert J. Thomas for editing the recording and providing the show notes.

Model Rail Radio #225: Proto Throttle and Podcaster [February 3, 2024]

Tom and John discuss John's new Proto Future podcast.

Bonus: Tom Barbalet talks with John Gardiner IV [November 13, 2023]

Ron and Tom finish some overdue business and kick off a new set of podcasts.

Layout Design Contest Winners / Tom Barbalet Starts A Podcast (the Pilot) [Nov 11, 2023]

Gordy Robinson has a number of updates including his plans for the Nationals. Jeff Shockley gives an update on the DelMarVa club and an upcoming open house. Tom and Ralph Renzetti discuss Tamiya paint, mixing colors and application including weathering with an airbrush. Tom discusses the Mine Mount Models Layout Design contest. The constraints for the contest are a 10-ft X 12-ft room.  Entries can be HO, S, or O scale -- the current scales offered by Mine Mount Models. Two $50 gift certificates will be awarded as prizes. The room should include a door but is otherwise unrestricted in configuration (around the room, central island, etc. Plans should include Mine Mount Models structures, and you can scale up any kit to S or O where not yet offered. Entries should include the track plan and a narrative describing the plan (history, design, operation, etc).  Submissions go to Tom's last name @gmail.com and should be submitted by October 31st. Enter multiple times if you like. Tom mentions that he is in the market for a new layout and is in correspondence regarding a candidate. Thanks to Robert Thomas for doing this show edit.

Model Rail Radio #224: Broom Handles [August 12, 2023]

John Szymanski has been operating his layout having moved to smaller weekend op sessions. Mike Slater gives an update on the hottub layout. Neil Erickson talks about a layout that can fly. Ted Roy gives a layout update. Ron Klais and Christina Zambri call in to give an NMRA update and talk about the 2023 Layout Design Contest.

Model Rail Radio #171: Anticipated Coffee Machine [March 28, 2020]

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