The Twin Cities Division is trying a new event. We call it the Operators Retreat. It will be a weekend where division members with established layouts host operation sessions for those new to operations. We provide the opportunity to operate on two different layouts. We are also open to experienced operators that want to meet like-minded people.  
A social event will be held on Friday evening, October 7th. Two sessions on Saturday, October 8th.
We will have six layouts and 24 spots.

The crew in this episode is Joe Binish, Greg dahl, MIke Jordan, William Sampson, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

This episode features our newest sponsor: Real Men of DCC - Featuring One-Fact Charlie.
Plus, the usual outtakes and more. 
Please write to us at [email protected]

The crew discusses the advantages of operating passenger trains. From sleek streamliners that run from end to end of a layout to the local and milk runs that work every stop.  The idea of adding a Flag Stop is discused and Mike Jordan describes how he flagged down the passenger train to go see his grandmother. 
Do you run passenger trains or are thinking about adding one or more to your layout? Then this discussion is for you. 

Crew members for this episode are Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, David Hamilton MMR, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

This episode is sponsored by the X2F coupler.
Plus, the usual outtakes and bad advice.

In this episode, we talk with members of the Minnesota FreeMo group.

Bob Sterner and John Zacharias join us to discuss modular model railroading.

We talk about the start of Minnesota FreeMo and some stories from past setups. We discuss the standards, plus what it takes to join a local FreeMo group. The podcast is only part 1 of a series. We hope to chat with the Minnesota FreeMo N scalers soon. Look for a FreeMo set up at the following train show.

The crew for this podcast is Davis Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, Bob Sterner, John Zacharias, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

# BlameHeath sponsors this episode 

The Humanity Junction YouTube channel. Where if anything can go wrong, it will happen during a Livestream. 
https://www.youtube.com/c/HumancityJunction

Plus, our usual outtakes. 

In this episode, the Crew discusses the advantages of virtual meetings and clinics. 
From YouTube to Zoom, model railroading has changed for the better. 
Layout tours, clinics, conferences, and even entire conventions are online.
What does the future hold, and can these events be held and make a profit?

This episode is sponsored by: How many engines do you have?

The Crew in this episode is Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

This episode, we dive into the world of Resin Car Kits. We invited fellow TCD member and Master Model Railroader Lester Breuer to answer our many questions about these unique kits. So if you are thinking of trying a resin kit, or an old veteran in prototype-specific specific rolling stock, take a listen. We discuss many tips and ideas as well as tools and adhesives. Lester and Joe created hundreds of these kits and shared their expertise during this discussion.
Lester's Blog address.
http://mnrailroadcab100.blogspot.com/

Crew members are Joe Binish, Lester Breuer MMR, Ken Zieska and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.
Our sponsor for this episode is the Tunnel, the same size as the mountain scenery.

The TCD and Crossing Gate crew also take a moment to remember our friend Craig Bisgeier. 

We talk about layout design versus a track plan. We list some solid points for creating a layout with a life beyond the construction phase. If you want to get into operations or plan a design for operations, our crew has some life lessons to help you in this endeavor.   

Crew members for this episode include Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, Dan Dossa, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

The Helix sponsors this episode. 

The crew discusses Staging yards. The ones they built and the ones they used on other layouts. What makes a good staging yard, and what are some things to avoid when designing a staging yard. Do staging yards even matter anymore in modern layout designs? 

The Angry Railfan sponsors this episode. Plus the usual bloopers.

The crew includes Joe Binish, Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

 

The crew discusses the projects and things they like to do during the summer months.  Attending conventions, maintaining the layout, and cleaning the workbench are all ideas to keep the model train mojo going. 

The cast of this episode: Dan Dossa, Larry Eggering, Milt Spanton, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR.

Our friends at The Second Section Podcast sponsor this episode. 

The crew discusses what is on their workbench, plus moving a project from start to completion. 

Cast of episode is Joe Binish, Larry Eggering, Mike Jordan, William Sampson, Ken Zieska and Thomas Gasior MMR

This episode is sponsored by the Model Railroading Bus.
Plus the Curmudgeon drops by to gripe and the usual outtakes and sound bites after.

What makes operation so interesting?

Does it keep people in the hobby?
Does it improve your layout?
Does having a small layout limit the size of your enjoyment?

Join the crew as we discuss what we like about operations and how we try to encourage others to operate their layouts and join operating groups.

Joe Binish
Larry Eggering
David Hamilton MMR
Mike Jordan
Ken Zieska
Thomas Gasior MMR

Magic Blue Smoke sponsors this episode.
Plus, the Curmudgeon stops by to gripe about Blue Box kits.