a ModelersLife

Train shows are being cancelled all over the world these days, one right after another and with the recent news that Milwaukee’s TrainFest won’t be happening this year we decided to find out what’s the status of the number one train show in America.

The crack news team here at the AML Network scraped together enough cash to get bus tickets for the whole gang and made their way to Springfield, Massachusetts the home of the Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show to find out what the future holds for this great event.

So grab yourself a bowl of shredded floor plans, a steaming hot mug of boiled hot dog water and enjoy!!

Direct download: Springfield_is_Go__John_Sacerdote.mp3
Category:Model Railroading -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

Still need help getting that old John Deere tractor running, can’t decide which crops to plant this season, you’ve planted an acre of garlic but don’t have enough lettuce to make a salad??

You went down to the local Ace Hardware looking for expert advice from the manager about renovating your grandma‘s bedroom and all he wanted to do was sell you a Palzer’s Plumbing Supply kit and some HO scale industrial storage racking??

Fortunately it’s time for another All-Star Variety Hour which will be of no actual use but may help to relieve the pain of day to day life. So grab yourself a big bowl of moist potting soil, a tall cool glass of Benjamin Moore’s exterior primer and enjoy!!

Direct download: All-Star_Variety_Hour_23.mp3
Category:Model Railroading, Model Railway Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

If there’s an award to be given out for the most enthusiastic person in this hobby, surely our next guest would be at the top of the list. George has been working for SoundTraxx over ten years and you’ve probably seen him at a train show or clinic somewhere in your area during that time. He’s a fan of the Missouri Pacific Railroad and willing to help any modeler with any questions.

When he’s not out on the road promoting the hobby you can usually find him between the pipes at the local arena making glove saves in rapier like fashion. George is a true ambassador to the hobby and a pleasure to be with, so put on your favorite Dallas Stars jersey, your Eddie the Eagle mask and enjoy !!

Direct download: Episode_148__George_Bogatiuk.mp3
Category:Model Railroading, Model Railway Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

It’s another great podcast from deep in the valleys around Busted Knuckle, Kentucky. With the longest introduction in the history of podcasting, thanks in part to our very own Mike “the Spoon” Ostertag.

Mick Shea, a loyal listener for quite some time now, stops by to introduce himself. Plus one of our old standby favorites, Otto Vondrak the editor of Railroad Model Craftsman.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded resin decals, a tall glass of clear coat and enjoy !!

Direct download: All-Star_Variety_Hour_22.mp3
Category:Model Railroading -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

Here at the ol' AML Network, there’s two things we always strive to achieve, hard hitting journalism, and ignore the facts whenever possible. So when the Evil Overlord visited Rapido Trains, it seemed only fitting to get the scoop on Jason Shron's crack team of model slingin' miracle workers.

It’s a whistle stop tour of the folks behind the scenes at Rapido, we get the lowdown on how Janet, Joshua, Jordan & Dan arrived at Rapido and what the hobby means to them.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded scale model flyers, a hot steaming mug of gearbox oil and enjoy!!

Direct download: Episode_147__Rapido_Staff.mp3
Category:Model Railroading, Model Railway Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

It’s another exciting episode of the All-Star Variety Hour as two of our regular listeners have stopped by to update us on what’s happening in their neck of the woods.

First up is Brooks Willig from the Lone Star state of Texas to tell us of his latest adventures operating some of the finest layouts in the country with our very own “Speed’ Muller and then it’s William Simpson the official graphic artist of the AML Network keeping us up to date all the comings and going‘s in the Minneapolis, Minnesota area.

So grab your favorite Stetson, sharpen your ice skates and join us as we score the winning goal with another great podcast.

Direct download: All-Star_Variety_Hour_21.mp3
Category:Model Railroading -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

Rapido Trains has become one of the most recognizable names in the hobby lead by a man who’s love of all things railroading is undeniable. After spending a whole day at the home office it was obvious that the staff of this industry leader seemed to be having more fun than the customers they serve.

This interview with Jason Shron the president of Rapido, is a clear indication of the commitment, enthusiasm, passion and excitement that everyone involved puts into each project. They even have a bus to pick you up in, so sit back and enjoy the ride.

Direct download: Episode_146__Jason_Shron_Rapido.mp3
Category:Model Railroading, Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

This podcast is a real pot pourri of ummm… Stuff. First it’s a continuation of the Waz’ Happenin’ series with a vest to the big island in Hawaii to find out what Neil Erickson’s been up to and then we travel to Australia’s Gold Coast and the Orkney Islands in the north of Scotland to visit with our buddies Gordy and Martyn immediately after their most recent NMRA X presentation.

Finally it’s off to New Jersey for some exciting news from Dave Abeles’s and the Onondaga Cutoff, about remote operations on his railroad. So throw another shrimp on the barbie, a tall cool glass of melted ice and enjoy!!

Direct download: AML_All-Star_Variety_Hour_20.mp3
Category: Model Railway Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

One of the great things about this hobby is how many people are willing to share their knowledge with others. Our very own Kevin “Hard Part” Marks enjoys showing others how to custom build track just as much as he enjoys doing it for himself.

Hard Part recently began making quality videos showing how to use Fast Tracks fixtures plus some soldering tips and the proper use of fire extinguishers, all for the NMRA X program.This podcast is a quick introduction to his next video, Upstairs in the Workshop #3. So plug in your iron get your favorite tin of flux and enjoy!!

Direct download: Upstairs_at_the_Workshop.mp3
Category:Model Railroading, Transport -- posted at: 2:30am EDT

In this episode we talk with one of the organizers from The Northeast Prototype Modelers Meet which is quickly becoming one of the best RPM meets in the country and continues to grow with each passing year. Plenty of fantastic clinics, great model display room and lots of great vendors.

This annual scale model railroading meet is always the weekend after Memorial Day. People travel from all over just for the chance to rub elbows with some great modelers and learn new skills. Plus each night is capped off with a huge raffle for door prizes. It a great listen, so get comfortable at the workbench and have a listen.

Direct download: Episode_145__Dave_Owens.mp3
Category:Model Railroading -- posted at: 2:30am EDT