The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

In this episode, we discuss how an operations designed layout does not need a yard. We talk with three layout owners who either do not have a yard, or use them in a non-traditional manner. Their layouts are fun to operate and have run hundreds of sessions, all without a yardmaster.
We also discuss the costs of a big yard. The extra track, switches, plus the ergonomics of designing a yard. The yard is the kitchen of model railroading, everyone ends up there at some point. Please give us your feedback on the importace of a yard in design and operations for your layout.

The crew this episode is Ken Borowski, Greg Dahl, and Dan Dossa. Ken Zieska is our host.

Sponsored by De Ja You-bought it again. Plus the usual outtakes.

A different podcast. Not a topic-driven discussion this time. 
This podcast discusses events and activities we worked on at the Regional Convention. We then shift gears and discuss all the activities the TCD has planned for this summer and fall—picnic socials, railfanning, modeling, clinics, operation sessions, etc. 

Wayzata Depot Social is soon, so join us for our first ice cream social at a historical depot next to the BNSF mainline.

The TCD welcomes all new members and hopes we can enhance your membership with many events this coming year.

The crew on this podcast includes Ken Borowski, Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, Randi Relander, and hosted by Ken Zieska.

This episode is about operations. We discuss fast clocks and the changes they bring to operations—the effect of passenger trains on a schedule, why we are rebuilding portions of our layouts to improve operations, and the research of prototype practices to follow, plus roll-away sections of layouts and much more. 

The crew in this episode is  Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, David Hamilton MMR, and Rich Remiarz MMR. William Sampson hosts this episode.

Special shout out to a fan from Wyoming.

The model railroad Matrix sponsors this episode. 

In this episode, we discuss Car Cards and Waybills. Not a new subject, but we talk about the portion that no one wants to explain. How does a modeler start to use a waybill on an existing layout if they have never set up waybills before?

Heath Hurwitz from Human[c]ity Junction and Joe Binsh walk us thru the steps needed to fill out your first waybills. We start with the Micro-Mark set and grab our pencils to begin our journey in moving freight with a purpose on our layout.

Who is the consignee? What is a route? And what does VIA mean? Why are there two sides and four sections?  

Joe and Heath start the processes as Heath adds operations to his Riverside Transfer N scale layout.  

Crew members are Joe Binish and Heath Hurwitz, hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

Our sponsor is the three-hour-long YouTube videos everyone loves. Plus, the usual outtakes and insults. 

In this episode, we discuss why we add specific details to our layouts that any visitor probably won't notice unless we point them out—for example, adding mirrors on cars, putting birds in the trees, and having simulated rail joint bars on the mainline.
Do we do it for ourselves? Probably.
Does it help make the layout look right in our eyes?
The crew for this episode is Greg Dahl and Dan Dossa, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

Our sponsor for this show is "Cheaper than a Bass Boat." 

The grain elevator is on 99% of the layouts. How do you use and operate your elevators? Do you have a small country elevator or a large milling complex? The crew discusses their elevators and how they model and serve them.  

The crew on this episode is Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, William Sampson, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR. 

We invite he Narrow Gauge mafia from western Wisconsin to talk about modeling non standard gauge layouts and the operations.

Discussions range from switching to narrow gauge, to operations, plus taking things slower but with more detail.

The crew on this episode is Joe Binish, Jack Gutsch, Mike Jordan, Pat Thoney and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

This episode is sponsored by Stickers!
Plus the usual outtakes and bloopers.

Do you give or receive feedback after an operations session? What are some ideas you have implemented after being informed by a crew member that they have a better idea? 

We discuss this topic and detail the changes we have made and suggested.
The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and ken Zieska, and is Hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

We are sponsored by: The Train Around the Christmas Tree.   Plus, our usual outtakes and flubs at the end.

Please join our new Facebook Group.
The Crossing Gate Podcast Room.
Give us feedback on this episode and all previous discussions. Also, show off your modeling and operation sessions.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1414958692305558

In this episode, we discuss the addition of animation to a layout: lighting, sounds, and more. Many products are available, and we discuss the ones we have used.

From structure lighting to hobo campfires and welders. Sounds from defect detectors to birds and more in your woodlands.

The crew in this episode is Larry Eggering, David Hamilton MMR, and Ken Zieska, hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR.

Our sponsor is the Waterfall in the middle of nowhere, plus the usual outtakes.

Please join our Facebook Group: The Crossing Gate Podcast Room.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1414958692305558

In this episode, we discuss the painful realization that changes to our layouts will be for the better.  Modelers might not want to rip up scenery, track, wire, and more to improve their layout.  We talked about our changes and why they helped our layouts and operations.

This episodes cast is Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, Mike Jodan, and Thomas Gasior MMR

This episode is sponsored by The Coffee Table Layout.