Have ever wanted to see one of the best model railroads in the world, one that will take your breath away, one that seems so real it could easily be used a movie set. Well after an exhaustive search by our crack investigative reporters here at the ole’ AML Network, we’ve discovered just such a model railroad not from Detroit or as we like to refer to… HockeyTown U.S.A.

One of the greatest assets of this hobby is the ability to express oneself artistically, while still be able to enjoy so much more and our next guest Norm Charbonneau has managed to squeeze every last ounce out of what this hobby has to offer. His YouTube channel about his 3-Rail O Gauge layout is full of beautiful scenes of glamorous Pennsy steamers running through magnificent scenery plus tons of how-to’s about all sorts of interesting projects. This is a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

T-Trak is one of the easiest ways for any individual to get started in the hobby of model railroading. Building a small one-foot square module can easily help speed up the learning process of building a layout of any size, plus there’s numerous groups to join where you can join with others to create sizeable layouts to run your favorite equipment.

One of the most prolific T-Trak modelers is Andy Zimmerman who when he’s not busy being head of the Standards and Conformance Department for the NMRA has built dozens of modules strictly for the enjoyment of participating.  Now he’s here to tell us all about the T-Trak world record attempt at the NMRA’s national convention coming up in 2026 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

Model railroading, or railway modeling, in Switzerland is alive and well, with many of the country’s hobbyists focusing on North American prototypes. We first met our guest several years ago as he was wrapping up a career as a locomotive engineer and beginning a new career as a police officer.

Our guest Robin Felder is a big fan of Norfolk Southern Railroad and brass locomotives in general, plus weathering HO scale equipment for himself and others is what keeps him busy when he’s not in training to become one of Switzerland’s finest. There’s also a philosophical discussion about the hobby and where it’s headed plus information about the local hobby scene. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

Answering ViewerMail is one of our favorites here at the ole’ AML studios, whether it's pro or con, it’s a chance to connect with your audience, hear their thoughts, and engage in meaningful dialogue, even when the feedback is critical. Recently John Doehring the Eastern of  representative the NMRA’s board of directors took exception to some our views about the way the organization is being run and sent us a very thoughtful and insightful email stating his concerns.

This is a special edition of ViewerMail with John and some of the regular AML crew to discuss some of those concerns. It’s a great podcast with plenty of back and forth, in fact the discussion was so interesting we only managed to get halfway through and invited John back for a second episode. It’s a great podcast and one I’m sure you’ll enjoy!!

What happens when you take two guys who are excited about the hobby of model railroading, add some raw talent with electronics and over the top details?? You get John McGuire of Garden State Modelworks LLC and Scott Lupia of KV Models with his specialty, etched detail parts.

Aside from yelling at people across the aisle from their booth at the Springfield Train Show it’s been a very successful union between these two friends. Scotts foray into the world of 3-D printing, has also created some new possibilities for his friend John, and we discover some new ways of doing business in the model railroad industry. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

Go west young man, these were the words that our next guest followed, leaving behind a beautiful model railroad that had been started in his parent’s mid-western basement. After spending several years refining his weathering techniques our next guest is thinking about the next great layout.

With law school successfully behind him, we decided here at the ole’ AML Network it was time to catch up with John Cafarelli and find out what he’s been up to. It’s a great podcast with some weathering techniques. Suggestions of other, YouTube channels to watch and plenty of interesting conversation.

It’s time for another healthy chat with your favorite “Uncle Dave.” Whether it’s discussing Scandinavian model railroaders, or the future of journalism in this great hobby of ours, you can be sure, that “Uncle Dave” has some well thought out opinions.

This chat features a great story about visiting the home Tony Koester one of the most iconic names in the hobby. “Uncle” Dave took his sons Teddy and Pete to see Tony’s wonderful Nickel Plate layout and by all accounts everyone had a great time. Dave also discusses his excitement of purchasing a couple TOFC cars from Rapido Trains. Plus somebody pushed the wrong button and there’s Rapido commercials where you’d never expect them. Enjoy!!

It’s time for another thrilling episode of what’s happening at Rapido Trains?? This time our intrepid hero Jason Shron is all hot and sweaty having just arrived from a family outing with his restored fishbowl TTC bus. (Toronto Transit Commission)

On this addition of what’s “Jason Doing Now??” The only man to have a licensing agreement with Conrail, (“Uncle” Dave) his on knees with hands clasped asking for a C30-7a, while Jason is trying to find enough customers that are desperate for a MLW S13 switcher. It’s another exciting podcast, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded handrails, a tall cool glass of left-over soda found on the Rapido bus and enjoy!!

It’s part two of the Todd Treaster, twenty-seven-part trilogy, and in this episode, aside from learning that our guest is single-handedly keeping the N-Scale industry alive, we also learn how to build big city backdrops.

Todd details how he re-created downtown Pittsburgh in a very realistic manner, and we try to talk him into writing up an article for Railroad Model Craftsman. This is a great podcast and one that we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

With a commitment to quality and the customers they serve ScaleTrains has become one of the leading manufacturers in the model railroad industry. Shane Wilson has been the captain of the ship since the beginning and has faithfully led his team and the company through some stormy weather, but always with a smile and a determination to make his product one of the best.

After the podcast entitled, “Retail Wars,” Shane didn’t necessarily agree with everything that was said and asked if he could have a chance to rebut some of the comments and give his point of view which, which we were happy to do, and that’s what this podcast is, an honest discussion about the industry, retail sales and the future. Enjoy!!

So you’re asking yourself what do Henry Mancini, West Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, Tony Dorsett, the Conway Yard and the Norfolk Southern have in common with our next guest?? Well basically nothing other than all these people and places were mentioned on this podcast as we discovered the secret of hollow core door layouts.

Richard Shirey has been working for the Norfolk Southern for over a decade and has a vast knowledge of all things railroading and in particular, railroading in the Western Pennsylvania area. We were introduced to Richard by our good friend Bradd “the Professor” Williamson who claimed to have a vast knowledge of our guest. So grab a big bowl of shredded sheet music, a tall cool glass of horn spit and enjoy!!

Almost everybody has a favourite relative, whether it’s cousin Eddie who borrows your favorite HO scale SD70ACE, or Aunt Sally who’s always ready with a plate of freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Here at the ole’ AML Nation, our favorite relative is none other than “Uncle” Dave who’s always ready with a story or helping hand, as we travel through the hills and valleys of our model railroad experience.

This month Dave talks about his desire for Rapido Trains to finally make his beloved C30-7a and talk about all the trials and tribulations of his new yard book from Kalmbach. (or somebody) As always, it’s a fun chat with our favorite relative, so sit back with a big bowl of shredded Conrail schedules, a tall cool glass of writer’s ink and enjoy!!

Everybody’s got a YouTube channel nowadays, whether it’s Larry showing you how to change that all important sprinkler head, Jennie taking the family dog for a walk, or dinner at Aunt Martha’s house. There isn’t much you can find you can’t find on YouTube.

However in our never-ending quest to make each moment of our listeners life’s better than the last, we’ve scoured the internet and found one of the best railfanning channels on the world wide web. Delay in Block Productions was started by Drayton Blackgrove in 2011 and along with our very own Chris Wehman, we find out what it’s like to be a premier track-side railroad videographer in North America. This is a great episode and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

So what exactly is an RPM meet and where’s the best place to find a comprehensive listing of all the events in the coming year? That’s easy, just head over to Eric Hansmann’s blog to find a listing of all the meets during the calendar year.

Dave Owens is the head poo bah of a Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet, running this event with his crew for two decades. So it seemed like a good idea to bring these two gentlemen together to talk about Eric’s event calendar and all things RPM. So get yourself a big bowl of shredded calendars, a tall cool glass of New England stream water and enjoy!!

The world is changing and so is the hobby of model railroading with an ever-increasing number of people whose primary interaction with the hobby has been via the world wide web. This is part two of talking with a twenty-six-year-old hobbyist who’s built a fantastic layout, with a countless number of incredibly well done instructional and operational videos.

Kelly stops the show with one good question and Cam Nealy, takes us through the construction of his Marias Pass railroad and why he changed from Crawford Hill. The hobby is indeed changing with a tsunami of new modelers coming and sooner or later, will all be covered in model railroad goo. Enjoy!!

It’s time once again for another edition of “Uncle” Dave’s Fireside chat and as usual no topic is left uncovered from improvements to the Onondaga Cutoff blog, witnessing the eclipse in full darkness to model railroad operations with his two boys Teddy and Pete on Ted Pamperin’s exquisite C&O Hinton Division in HO scale. Plus, we hear about being the keynote speaker at this year’s Island Ops.

But wait there’s more, what happens when the epicenter of a 4.8 earthquake is less three miles from your home in Lebanon, New Jersey and you’re at work in at Newark’s Penn Station. Aside from your family being on the local Fox News Station and being part of the earthquake protocol for the rail side of New Jersey Transit, it’s just another typical day in the life of “Uncle” Dave. So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded safety forms, a tall cool glass of Passaic River water and enjoy!!

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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to own one of the most complete collections of N-Scale in the world and a beautifully completed basement sized layout to run all that equipment on?? Well, here’s your chance to hear from the man himself Todd Treaster, with 22,000 freight cars, 2,300 passenger cars and 2,800 locomotives on a 35 x 38’ layout.

But wait there’s more, Todd has been a locomotive engineer with the Norfolk Southern for almost thirty years and is about to retire. Aside from telling us about his great layout he regales with stories of running helpers across Horseshoe Curve and operating the Norfolk Southern’s office car special to places like Latrobe, Pennsylvania. This is a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

Are you ready for TomStock 2024?? The Queso Cowboy’s Birthday Round Up?? Of course we’ve brought together some of your favorite AML regulars from across the nation to talk about this year’s great events.

We’ll kick off with ceremonial leaving the Evel Overlord behind for Wednesday’s dinner at the Shady Maple, then ride the Reading and Northerns RDC to Jim Thorpe PA. Friday will be Jerry Britton‘s fabulous cheese ball run across Pennsylvania and then finally the great barbecue with and the golden spike ceremony on Queso’s fabulous Reading layout. It’s going to be another fabulous AML gathering and here with all the details is that affable crew you’ve come to know and love. Enjoy!!

On this episode of a ModelersLife, our friend, the always popular Dave Owens returns to the AML studios to bring us up to date on the latest happenings in NERPM. (Excuse me) As can be expected since last year, the gang of the Northeast/New England Railroad Prototype Modeler‘s Meet, have a closed down another hotel, and have moved on to better digs with the help of the Amherst Railway Society.

Dave of course is once again his fun-loving self, with lots of information about this months this year’s event, plus we discuss all the clinics and after the Evel Overlord screws up again, Ted DiIorio’s name is officially changed to Teddy Dee!! Enjoy.

Here’s a question for everyone in the AML Nation, how many times is too many times to chat with our illustrious NMRA President, Gordy Robinson?? Not sure of the answer?? None of us here at the old AML headquarters know the answer either, but we’re thinking it’s probably something like, to infinity and beyond!!  

The crew was lucky enough to catch up with Gordy Robinson at his parents’ home just before heading to the local infirmary for some surgery and finding out how many of the doctors and nurses he could sign up for memberships to the NMRA. Also Gordy tells us about another great way to save on your NMRA membership. It’s another excellent Gordy Robinson interview. Enjoy.

It’s time for “Great Layouts Part Two” and in this episode, we cover everything from how important snacks are and if snacks are important at all. Obviously, we must all agree that abundant and plentiful snacks make for great model railroad operations, but even more importantly, when visiting one of the fabulous layouts that populate the North American landscape layout, you must approach with the attitude that you are there to bring the layout owners model railroad to life and make him feel rewarded for a job well done.

There’s plenty of discussion on how and where to get experience operating model railroads and that makes for some great back and forth chatter amongst the panel members. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

Chris Wehman is becoming an increasingly popular guest on ModelersLife with a fabulous N-Scale layout, tons of enthusiasm for the hobby, unparalleled railfanning videographer skills, devoted to replicating model railroad operations and a burning desire to make this hobby of model railroading, as much fun for every around him as it is for himself.

Well, it turns out he’s now a bona fide, YouTube influencer in the hobby of model railroading featuring Scale Trains N-Scale, SD 40–2 on his layout and while hosting a very informative video with tons of great information about the locomotive. This podcast was lots of fun to record, and it’ll be even more fun to listen to. Thanks for Listening!!

It’s time for another star studded, All-Star Variety Hour with some of the biggest names in the hobby, and some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. John Sacerdote the Director of the big Springfield Model Train Show held each year at the end of January and YouTube sensation Ron Marsh, who’s channel Ron’s Trains N’ Things continues to grow each week, are both interesting enough to for their own one-on one interview.

We had meant to include John‘s interview in one of our previous Springfield Reports, but got distracted by Ron Marsh who kept pestering us about stopping by the ModelersLife Studios for another interview. Dave Owens gives us some great insight into what goes on behind the scenes at Springfield while Ron Marsh talks about what it takes to create an awesome YouTube channel. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!

It’s always fun to revisit old friends from the AML Nation and we’ve travelled all the way to Missoula, Montana for a catch-up with Cam Nealy. There’s been big changes since our last visit, a new job is just underway, and the railroad has a new emphasis on Marias Pass in the western portion of Montana.

Staging yards have been removed. Track arrangements changed, and the whole layout has a new meaning with helper districts being the emphasis of operations. Cam has built a beautiful layout and in this first installment he explains why the changes were made and what the future holds. It’s a great layout it’s a great podcast and one more sure you’ll enjoy.

It’s Springfield Report number four where the action is exciting, and the interviews leave you hanging on every word. Once again, we sent out our intrepid reporter, the “Queso Cowboy” to find all the latest gossip in model railroading.

In this episode, we talk with the Four County Society of Model Engineers, there’s another visit with Matt Stern from Bachman, Jim Wiggin with all the latest news from Athearn, and a visit with one of our favorite freight car manufacturers, David Leilbach of Tangent Scale Models.

And if that’s not enough, some of the regular gang stop by to give their opinions on everything from the world cricket championships and travelling the highways and byways of America. It’s a great podcast and we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

It’s part three of the “Springfield Interviews” and this time our very own Queso Cowboy takes to floor to get the latest scoop on what’s happening around the hobby.

In this report Queso stops by Mine Mount Models to find out about their first limited edition kit, there’s a visit with Rudy from Garbely Publishing and a great chat with the folks at Valley HO Trak. Plus he checks in on all the latest news from Walthers before stopping by the White Rose Hobbies booth to discuss they’re recent acquisition of Bethlehem Car Works and finally Matt Herman from 3D Central tells us all about this great new company. 

So sit back with some week-old candy floss, left over soda from your brothers BBQ and enjoy!!

It’s Part Two of the Springfield Reports with more exciting interviews, more headline grabbing quotes, and an opportunity to hear about some of the exciting action in and around the ModelersLife booth in the Better Living Center.

In this episode, we hear from all sorts of different folks in the hobby, including Gordy Robinson the president of the NMRA, Bill Ford an avid AML listener, Matt Stern from Bachman, Kent Carrier from the R.I.T. club in Rochester, Brandon Bolwerk the travelling companion of “Mr. Jingles,” Michelle Kempema from the Colorado Model Railroad Museum, Matt Dawson one of the AML‘s favorite sons, and finally Otto Vondrak, the editor of Railroad Model Craftsman. It’s a great episode and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to operate on some of the most famous and greatest model railroads ever built or to be a regular crew member on Tony Koester‘s Allegheny Midland/Nickel Plate railroads or to visit Harold Werthwein’s fantastic Erie Railroad layout.

On this podcast we talk with some folks who’ve done just that. Tom, Doug and Ralph have known each for decades operating layouts regularly, operating on layouts throughout the northeast. In part one we lay the foundation for further discussions about what’s expected when visiting such layouts and what’s it’s like to be a regular on some well-known layouts. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy.

Another year has come and gone at the great Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show. With over twenty-six thousand people in attendance it was a roaring success with lots of folks to talk to, bargains to be had, layouts to seen, friends to reconnect with and new friends to be made.

In our first series of interviews we talk with folks who stopped by the booth to answer some hard-hitting questions. Ray Persing talks about his son Steve, Cale Leiphart about what’s new in the world of Lego modeling, John Frantz on taking his model railroad in a different direction, Ken McCorry on selling parts of his steel mill to make way for some new structures and Lucy Dormont on becoming the social media manager for the NMRA. It’s a great podcast and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy!!!

What happens when two guys from Pennsylvania who claim to be lone wolfs in the hobby, take over a Facebook page from a third modeler and then realize what they’ve done?? This is the heartwarming tale of Patrick Moore (the other guy) and Bradd Williamson from Crater, Pennsylvania, formerly known as Oval, Pennsylvania nestled in the sleepy valley of Nippenose.

From the first time they met until present day, the relationship between Patrick and Bradd reads like the finest “Harlequin” romance novel ever written. Together they created the “Iron City N-Scale” group that’s gone from just two members to well over six hundred and continues growing each day. Fellowship is the name of the game for these two model railroaders, and we’re glad they stopped by to share their story.

There are hundreds and hundreds, probably over a thousand volunteers in the National Model Railroad Association. (NMRA) Each one working tirelessly to make this great hobby even better and one of our favorite department heads of the NMRA is Andy Zimmerman.

Andy oversees the Standards and Conformance committee guiding an enthusiastic volunteer force of almost a hundred dedicated folks each of whom spend several hours a week making sure manufacturers produce products that will perform well right out of the box. There’s also a lively chat about marketing and selling the NMRA. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded conformance applications, a tall cool glass of battleship gray paint and enjoy!!

Building a model railroad layout is a rewarding hobby and documenting the process on YouTube can be both educational and entertaining for fellow hobbyists. From researching prototype railroads to designing and constructing the layout, there's a lot to cover and share with your audience. Peter Borcherds has an entertaining YouTube channel detailing his build of the BNSF Chicago Sub.

It’s that time of year again, the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show is about to open and once again we got John Sacerdote the show director for over two decades stops by the studio to tell us all about. We’re also joined by our very own “Uncle” Dave and Northeast RPM coordinator Dave Owens to get all the scoop.

From the Lego layout, 1:87 Scale Vehicle club, hundreds of vendors, Rapido Trains, who’s buried in the levy, chalking out the tables and getting the coveted parking pass, it’s all right here. Every year several charities benefit from some of the monies collected from admissions and table rentals, it’s the largest model railroad show in North America.  Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded vendors list and a tall cool glass of left-over cola and enjoy!!

With the Amherst Railway Society’s Railroad Hobby Show in Springfield, Massachusetts just around the corner, we here at the ole’ AML World Headquarters decided it was time to gather the crew together to coordinate all the weekends activities. Of course, the AML offices are a buzz with the with news that the Saturday Night Pizza has been replaced by the AML Dance Party in the same location and the same cast of characters.

Also there’s the typical back-and-forth between the Mailboy and the Queso Cowboy about who’s in charge of the jingles, plus the modeler simply known as “Kelly” takes an in-depth look at Keen Boots. Things get heated when the Mailboy and the Queso Cowboy heatedly discuss the value of manufactures giving customers an indication of what data will appear on the side of their next freight car. So grab a big bowl of shredded Bobby Socks, a tall cool glass of liquid boot protectant and enjoy!!

It’s time to check in once again with our old pal "Uncle” Dave and see what he’s up to. On this episode of the “Fireside Chat,” we talk about instant gratification, and how it pertains to Model Railroading. There’s more discussion about the “Chicago Line” book, plus our in ability to coincide our calendars with each other and how the Buffalo Sabres got involved.

There’s nothing more the Evel Overlord enjoys than a chance to chat with Dave about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. When life is getting you down and the brakes just aren’t going your way, there’s no better medicine than being trackside with the Onondaga Cutoff. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded hockey tape, a tall cool glass of melted rink water and enjoy!!

Another year is in the books, and a new one is about to begin. Across the AML Nation there’s hope and optimism, with another chance for all of us to inspire and help each other reach even greater heights. This hobby provides an opportunity for so many folks from diverse backgrounds to come together and enjoy what each of us has to offer.

Scott wants to raise his layout up to even greater heights of completion, Peter has taken on the role of the president for the NMRA’s British Region and plans to work feverishly on it for an upcoming convention and Bradd looks froward to installing a signal system on his Railroad. It’s going to be another exciting year for the AML Nation, TomStock here we come.