What does it take to run a hobby store in the 21st Century?  John Kavulich, President of Niagara Hobby & Craft Mart in Cheektowaga NY, joins us to discuss the triumphs and trials of the business.

We visit the store in-person, hear from customer Esh Estarfaa and employee Al Plant, and interview John in his office!

Question of the Day (39:43)

What is your favorite memory of visiting a hobby store?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post 034: The Resilience of Niagara Hobby appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Sodor Island Forums admin Ryan Hagan poses with Thomas the Tank Engine at the premiere of ‘Sodor’s Legend of the Lost Treasure’. Photo provided by Ryan Hagan.

Thomas the Tank Engine is beloved by millions of children around the world, but we tend to think of it solely as a ‘kid’s show’.  Today, we talk with Ryan Hagan, administrator for the Sodor Island Forums, about how The Railway Series was based in actual British railway history, how it has helped rail preservation, and why it still matters today.

Sodor Island Fansite

Sodor Island Blog

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SilrkBo7VSM

Related Episodes:

Linn W. Moedinger – President of the Strasburg Rail Road

Steam Locos in Profile – Chris Eden-Green

Did you grow up with Thomas?  How do you look back on it now?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post ‘Thomas’ and Rail Preservation appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Are you ready for a steam-powered adventure?  We’re attending Strasburg Rail Road’s Steampunk unLimited weekend to learn more about the Steampunk culture and the many ways it connects to railroading.  This episode includes interviews with performers, vendors, and convention attendees, as well as the sounds of steam locomotives hard at work!

To learn more about the Strasburg Rail Road and its team, check out these interviews below:

Linn W. Moedinger – President

Andrea Biesecker – Assistant Contract Administrator

Friday Evening – Jeremy & Tara Stand, Dextre Tripp, Pyrophoric:  0:01:55

Steam Train at Night:  0:08:42

Saturday Begins – Karen Musitano:  0:11:34

Fashion Show – Alicia Downs, Cathy Amerling, Dianne Miller:  0:14:38

Shop Tour – Jon Rhine, Kevin Blevins, David Lotfi:  23:32

Bartitsu – Prof. Mark Donnelly:  36:14

Romance of Train Travel – Mia Lavorata:  42:38

Victorian Dinner Train – Keith Linker, Louis Wolf, Alanda Sponenberg:  50:16

Music – Frenchy and the Punk, Abney Park:  56:04

Sunday Tea – Herbal Turtle Teas, High Tea Train:  1:00:00

Authors – Ascension Epoch:  1:01:50

Model Railroading and Steampunk – John Richardson:  1:04:56

What is the steam locomotive with the most impressive history?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post Steampunk unLimited – Strasburg Rail Road appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Chris shares how his love of trains led him to create Steam Locos in Profile, why he enjoys presenting on-camera, and how he successfully crowdfunded his Season 1 DVD.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-AKdB7S4LU

This episode is sponsored by the Strasburg Rail Road. Click here to learn more about their upcoming Steampunk unLimited event!

Question of the Day (50:34)

What is (or was) your hometown railroad?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post Steam Locos in Profile – Chris Eden-Green appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Train ME-1 leaves Meadville to work on the Oil City Branch. Photo by Nick Ozorak.

Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad – President Carl Belke talks with us about his 40+ year career in the railroad industry, including his tenure at the Delaware & Hudson, why he prefers ALCOs, and how the WNYP participated in the 2010 movie ‘Unstoppable’.

This episode is sponsored by the Strasburg Rail Road. Click here to learn more about their upcoming Steampunk unLimited event!

News

We discuss recent developments at Norfolk Southern, including Wick Moorman stepping down as Chairman of the Board, the end of ‘Roadrailers’, and the purchase of the southern Delaware & Hudson lines.

Carl Belke Interview (3:50)

Getting Started in the Industry in the ’70s – 3:50

His thoughts on the Norfolk Southern D&H purchase – 16:27

His role at the Western New York & Pennsylvania – 23:30

The Importance of ALCOs – 32:22

Railfans – 35:26

Filming ‘Unstoppable’ – 39:44

The future of the Railroad – 47:43

Question of the Day (53:52)

What is (or was) your hometown railroad?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post 029: WNYP Railroad President Carl Belke appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Train simulators are serious(ly fun) business.  Mike Cyr, head of two train sim development companies (Jointed Rail and Crosstie Studios), joins us to discuss his history with producing content for Trainz Railroad Simulator, what he enjoys about being self-employed in the hobby, and what the team at Crosstie Studios is working to put into their new train simulator.

What would you like to see in a train simulator?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post 028: Jointed Rail – Founder Mike Cyr appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

261 is back on the move just north of Le Claire. Photo by Nathan D. Holmes.

The Chief Operating Officer of the Friends of the 261 (owners of steam locomotive Milwaukee Road 261) joins us to talk about the history of preserving this locomotive, its role in the film ‘Public Enemies’, and how he got to meet President Bill Clinton on a train!

Question of the Day (47:55)

If you could ride in a private rail car with anyone past or present, who would it be, and why?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post Milwaukee Road 261 – Steve Sandberg appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

Nickel Plate 765 works its way north to Ashtabula.  Photo by Justin Calvin.

We’re traveling behind steam locomotive Nickel Plate Road #765 from Youngstown to Ashtabula and back.  On the way, we’ll talk to crew from the Fort Wayne RR Historical Society, passengers, and spectators.  Here’s your ticket, so climb aboard!

1:42 – Passengers (Fred Smith, Gale Rigby)

5:48 – Arrival of 765, Spectators (Mike Long, Bob Straley)

9:50 – Tour of the Tool Car, 765 Crew (Rob Kramer, Nick Taylor)

20:56 – Departure from Youngstown

24:43 – 765 Crew (Jason Sobczynski, Rachel Weibel)

39:57 – Arriving in Ashtabula, 765 Crew (Joe Knapke)

45:55 – Ashtabula (Mike Huhn, Chris Tokarcik, Paul Andrews, Josh Cohen)

55:58 – Departing Ashtabula, FWRHS President Bill Otter

1:07:18 – Kelly Lynch, Communications Manager

1:26:30 – ‘Dover Harbor’ car attendant Lawrence Biemiller, Passenger (Pat Ryan)

1:36:45 – Car Attendant Dan Meckstroth, Arriving in Youngstown

Question of the Day (1:44:00)

Tell me about a trip or experience you’ve had with Nickel Plate 765.  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post Nickel Plate 765 Adventure appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.

As the Assistant Contract Administrator, Andrea talks about working for the Strasburg Rail Road, explains the work she provides for steam locomotives, and describes the ‘Culture of Steam’.

This episode is sponsored by the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society.  Visit their website to see their 2015 Summer Mainline Excursion schedule and book your tickets today!

Question of the Day (44:04)

With summer halfway over, what have you accomplished, and what are you looking forward to?  Let me know and I will respond to your comments in our next episode.

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The post 025: Strasburg Rail Road – Andrea Biesecker appeared first on The Roundhouse Podcast.