In this episode, we discuss layouts with no mainline. One, if any yards, and minimal staging. Can you create a fun, operational layout that will stand the test of time? We discuss how a smaller layout can be more nimble, or accommodating to operators of any skill level. No clearing up for the express, no Train orders to decipher, no dispatcher to boss you around the railroad.

Greg Dahl, Dan Dossa, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss these ideas and more.

This episode is sponsored by the David Hamilton Geography Bender and more. Plus the usual outtakes at the end.

In this episode, we discuss the operations of a freight house. We also discuss Cold storage and security storage facilities. Joe Binish has one of the best-run operations for working the freight house on his Central of Minnesota layout.

The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

This episode is sponsored by: The Operations Day Soldering Iron

In this episode, we discuss evolving operations for layouts and car forwarding systems. What have we done to upgrade or detail our operations? 

The crew for this show is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR


Our sponsor is: Scale Weather

This episode is about changes to our modeling. What has evolved and made us better modelers or operators? Think about the changes to technology in your lifetime, and the new techniques being tried to achieve better models and layouts.

The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

Our show is sponsored by: Questions to ask during a livestream.

Do models have to be exact replicas for you to enjoy them? Are the manufacturers being pushed too far into the museum quality construction? 
Our panel discusses the effect of prototype modeling on our layouts. 

The crew of this episode includes Ken Borowski MMR, Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, and Thomas W Gasior MMR.

Our sponsor is the YouTube channels that claim to be the greatest.

This episode is a discussion about modeling the 1970s era.  What was good about it, plus how we conveyed to our visitors that the layout is set in the 1970s. The era before the mega-mergers and the caboose and boxcars could still be found in every train. 

David Hamilton MMR models the CB&Q/BN mainline between the Twin Cities and Galesburg during the 1970-74 timeframe.
Ken Borowski MMRi models the Clinchfield in the mid-1970s.

Thomas Gasior MMR hosts this episode.

Our sponsor is Model Railroader and Foamer Speed Dating Events.


 

Internet anonymity has encouraged trolls to make snide comments about people's modeling. How can we handle that issue? Also, how can we process advice from our crew? Does the source of the suggestions matter?

Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss this issue.

Sponsoring this episode is the infamous saying: Two out of three ain't bad!

In this episode, we discuss options for operations that go beyond CC&WB/Switchlists. Adding some nuance once in a while could be a great addition to any session. 

The crew in this episode are Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

Most operating layouts deal with off-spotting cars—the twenty pounds of mud in a ten-pound sack.  How do you deal with this? Our crew discusses the good, bad, and ugly portion of moving excess freight cars. 

The crew for this episode includes Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, and Ken Zieska, and it is hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

In this episode, we discuss what makes us anxious. What fears do you have that keep you from building that layout or model? Is there not enough room? Do you not want to waste material or time? Do you not have the skills?

This episode's crew includes Joe Binish, Ken Borowski, and Greg Dahl, and it is hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.  

Sponsored by: The person who models stuff no one cares about.