“We’re building an HO Scale two-truck Shay.” This was our introduction to a fireball who answers to the name, Keith Revell. Ever wondered how to start a model railroad manufacturing company?? You google it of course.

If you haven’t heard of KR Models before, you’re about to, they’re already well known in Great Britain and primed to burst onto the high-end scale model scene in North America plus other locales around the world. Tighten up your chin straps and hang on, we’re about to set off on a journey we won’t soon forget. Enjoy!!

There’s always somebody interesting dropping into the AML Studios in Busted Knuckle, Kentucky and this week is no different when Mike Deverell of the Colorado Front Range stops by to tell us all about the big move, he and his wife are making cross country to be closer to family and start a new chapter in their life. Plus, we get to hear from Rodger Coleman a knew modeler and railfan learning all about this great hobby of ours.

So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded moving boxes, a big steaming hot mug of luke warm travel center coffee and enjoy!!!  

Like so many of us our next guest’s interest in the hobby began at the young age of four when he got his first cab ride in a Southern FP7 locomotive and after a chance to hold the throttle on a KCS NW2 at the tender age of eleven he was hooked. With his father being an avid historian, photographer and accomplished modeler, Chris was exposed to many aspects of the hobby. With over twenty-five years working as a full-time railroader and a love for model railroading “Home Shops” was born.

Freelance railroading in HO scale is big a part of the hobby and now you can own equipment from some of the finest layouts around. This is an exciting new idea we’re sure you’ll want to hear about. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded dee-cals, a tall cool glass of Solvaset and enjoy!!

Road trips have been part of the American fabric as soon as Henry Ford rolled the first model “T” off the assembly line. Model railroads have been part of American family life for well a hundred years. What would get if you combined both of these iconic symbols of the American life??… Shane Wilson pulling the biggest RV you ever saw from town to town promoting model railroading and ScaleTrains.

Shane is about to set out on the journey of a lifetime travelling from one club to another across all 50 states and he wants to take the AML Nation along with him. So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded road maps, a tall cool glass of gas station soda and enjoy !!

The model railroad industry is more vibrant today than it’s ever been, with new manufacturers popping up almost every day. In this episode we talk to Greg McComas one who, like so many before him has created a business simply out of the need for a particular product. We first learned of Greg and his new business from our friend Stephen Atwell, owner of the very successful Midwest Model Railroad who has managed to create a destination hobby shop in a very short period of time.

It’s a great episode with a look into the future of how vibrant and exciting this hobby is going to become for all of us. So grab yourself a steaming hot plate of ground foam, a cool glass of packaging glue and enjoy !!

No one could ever dispute that model railroaders can be very resourceful when it comes to filling a need for their layout and this story is no different. With the need to find a realistic beaver for a small pond on his layout, Bernard Hallen has created one of the most complete 3-D printing resources in the hobby. With his imagination and suggestions from modelers around the word the possibilities are endless.

So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded beaver tails, a tall glass of warm pond water and enjoy!!

Image if you will, a magical town with cobblestone roads, beautiful shade trees, quaint homes, friendly folks and a large model railroad store so well stocked it wouldn’t seem out of place in any of the big city’s across America. It’s not a dream or fantasy, it’s Spring creek Model Trains in Deshler, Nebraska just twenty-seven miles from Strang, Nebraska, less than three hours from Omaha and barely two hundred miles from the AML’s own Tony Cook.  

This episode we chat with Jeff and Mike Zucker about the upcoming model railroad show that takes over the town of Deshler, for an entire weekend. Over the past decade the Zucker’s have hosted a biennial train show with many of the major model railroad manufactures represented.

So pack up your favorite AML t-shirt, your most comfy pajamas and get ready for a great weekend of home cooking, model railroading and down home fun !!

Well, it finally happened, Hard Part and LaFawnDuh have a new addition to the family and we here at HQ couldn’t be more excited. There was much rejoicing throughout the AML Nation as this wonderful news spread across the land and picking just the right name was made priority number one. There were all sorts of great suggestions and BBQSteve was certainly one of the frontrunners but after much deliberation, hand wringing and a few choice words, the newest addition to the family has been christened.

So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded winter wipers, a tall cool glass of windshield washer fluid and enjoy!!

We've met an awful lot of interesting people here at the ole’ AML Network and our next guest is no exception. With a background in the railroad industry and a love railfanning from an early age, plus a long career in the trucking industry, two hours was really not enough time to find out everything there is to know about Chris.

But that's not all, he's one of the most prolific railfan videographers you'll find trackside just about anywhere in the lower forty-eight with dozens of great videos at Green Frog productions.

So get comfortable in your favorite folding chair with a bowl of shredded trackside weeds, a tall glass of warm puddle water and enjoy !!

In the words of Ed Sullivan, in the heart of Manhattan, on any Sunday night half a century ago, it’s time for a “really big shoe.” This week we talk with one of the AML Nation’s favorite artists who’d just released a new print.

Check out Bob’s latest work here: https://www.olddepotgallery.com 

Plus we chat with our old friend “Mr. Fitness,” as we criss-cross the nation looking for the latest news that’s only a few months old.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded artist canvas, a tall cool glass of burnt umber and enjoy!!

Everybody needs a video guy in today’s new world of social media, video plays a major role attracting customers and keeping everyone up to date on all the comings and goings of your favorite train manufacturer.

Rapido Trains has a guy and we here at the ole’ AML decided to get all the behind-the-scenes scoop on what it takes to create great videos, unfortunately we couldn’t find that guy, but we did find Rapido Jeremy.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded videotape, a tall glass of lens cleaning fluid and enjoy !!

Can’t get enough of ViewerMail, still trying to recover from last week’s flight. You’ve wanted to discover the deeper meaning of life and always wondered what “Uncle” Dave thinks. Still trying to figure out if Neil Erickson is Erik Neilson’s long-lost brother. Thinking about sneaking past  Michelle Kempema into the museum. Dreaming of spending a day trackside with Rodger Coleman. Hoping you’re on Ken Zieska’s Christmas list. Waiting for James Henry to give you a ride to Deshler, Nebraska??

We’ll talk to management but won’t make any promises until Andy Ambrose promises to write shorter posts with smaller words but in the meantime here’s a special episode of ViewerMail just for you. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded manila envelopes, a tall glass of washer fluid and enjoy !!

Model railroading has a strong presence in New England along with seafood, the once mighty Patriots, ghosts of the Hartford Whalers, Springfield Train Show, Steaming Pile restaurant and a couple of guys named Mark and Don, although one of them left because the snow was getting too deep.

These two guys are a great example of how this hobby creates lasting friendships and utilizing today’s technology to enjoy the hobby together, plus what the NMRA can do for you by simply making the effort to get involved.

So grab yourself a big bowl of week-old chowder, a tall glass of warm lobster tank water and enjoy!!  

Not many things in life are more gratifying I life than achieving a goal or finishing a big project that’s well received by the intended audience and this couldn’t be truer for one of the AML Nation’s favorite sons. Our very own “Uncle” Dave has written what some are already calling the definitive book on railroad signalling and how it pertains to the hobby of model railroading. Dave’s excitement is infectious so we thought it would be fun to chat with Dave on the very day he received his first actual copies of “Guide to Signals and Interlockings.” It’s a great discussion, so get comfortable in your favorite easy chair with a big mug of cocoa, some of grandma’s world-famous apple pie and enjoy !!!

What happens when a well-worn railroader crosses paths with a rookie… Lots of stern looks, shaking of the head, rolling eyes and gnashing of the teeth. The Mayor of Hornepayne has found himself a nice place to live, some heritage units to shove freight cars over the hump using a belt pack, while “the Spoon” tries to explain how to protect the spare board.

So find a comfortable chair, bring a big bowl of freshly buttered popcorn and enjoy the show!!

They say it’s not the destination but the journey and this thirty-seven-part trilogy was one interesting journey, it took a while but we finally heard the story of Babbi and the O-Gauge layout. Jack’s lonely summer plus the memories of times he and trusty side kick Dave Abeles spent together, reads as well as any good romantic comedy. Jack’s story didn’t disappoint, so grab yourself a stale commuter station Danish, a soggy paper cup full of lukewarm coffee and enjoy !!

There are so many facets and skills to learn in this great hobby of model railroading, it's impossible to master all of them and for many of us the best we can hope for is to be really good at one or two things such as trackwork, structures, DCC programming, painting, weathering and capable of handling some others. Creating the scenery for our railroads to run through can be almost an insurmountable task for some while others look forward to this aspect of the hobby with great delight.

On this podcast we handle a late-night  AML emergency  with our buddy Chris Adams a.k.a. Mr. Fitness as he struggles to convince himself that he has any of the skills required to create great scenery. So grab yourself a big bowl of freshly mixed plaster, a tall cool glass of matte medium and enjoy.

When we last left our heroes, the scares of being separated after grade five were still freshly etched into their memories. The tragedy of the Pattenburg Tunnel “incident” still lingered on through a haze of ding-dongs, train tracks and coffee trucks. This story truly reflects what life was like at the end of the last century as our intrepid travellers leapt into the twenty-first century with the intention of helping the world understand the benefits and excitement that can only be understood with a properly run commuter rail service.

Grab yourself a big plate of shredded elementary school math tests, a steaming hot mug of week-old commuter station coffee and enjoy!!

We here at the AML Nation are always look for the sunny side of the street, the positives in life, turning that frown upside down, the sun behind every dark cloud, in other words the silver linings of life. Once again, the “Nation” will pull together and keep each other’s spirits up as we patiently wait for the model railroading event of the century. Lawn-tractor pulls, hot tub activities, baseball games, barbeques and bus trips are going to make TomStock 2020 well worth “Twice the Wait for Twice the Fun.” It’ll be the “Nation’s” greatest moment bringing together AMLer’s from across the globe to meet and rejoice and most importantly…

Third time’s a charm !!!

Fifty years is a long time, especially if you’re a railroad passenger service that most critics thought of as nothing more than a stop gap measure likely to meet its demise sooner rather than later. Amtrak began with one painted locomotive a bunch of borrowed equipment a few full-time employees and a whole lot of anxiety on May 1st, 1971. It’s now time to celebrate a railroad that’s become a fixture on the American rail scene and of course where better to do it than right here on the AML Network.

So jump on board, grab yourself a window seat in coach, a steaming hot mug of gusto and enjoy!!

And so begins an epic journey into the life of our next guest, we were first introduced to this gentleman by our very own “Uncle Dave” Abeles and true to his word Jack has turned out to be a very interesting study. In part one, we travel through the early years when Dave and Jack begin a lifelong friendship in grade five, it's a heart wrenching story with many twists and turns throughout that will surely bring a tear to your eye.

Grab a big box of Kleenex, some popcorn, your favorite soda and getting ready to listen to a romance of the ages.

Every podcast on the AML Network is like a bag of Cracker Jacks, you’re just never sure of what’s in the bag and this week is no different. First up is a visit with AML’s official videographer, Ron Marsh he’s been making some major changes to his railroad and this week talks about his plans to build a helix. Then after a quick visit with Bernard Hellen, the creator of MiniPrints we check in with “the Teaspoon” for another chapter of “George’s Journal.”

So grab that bag of week-old chips that’s been left on the counter, a steaming hot mug of leftover soda and enjoy !!

This is a great episode about a young modeler, designer and businessman named Aaron Piotraschke. His love of interurban equipment and small industrial locomotives led him to 3-D printing and an opportunity to fill a void in the hobby. Aaron started producing quality HO scale shell kits for rare and unique prototypes like boxcab diesels, standard gauge traction motors and fireless locomotives used around industrial areas where explosives and other dangerous goods were manufactured.

It’s a great story of a creative mind and a desire to conquer the world, so get comfortable by the Victrola with a warm cup of cocoa and enjoy !!

It’s often been said the best path to a balanced diet is to hold a cupcake in each hand. Here at the ole’ AML Nation we strive to offer a fair and balanced diet of model railroad podcasting.

In this episode we explore everything from what the July 4th is like in Lebanon, New Jersey, getting notes ready for an appearance on the “Dudes” show in St. Louis, Missouri and then finally discovering what life is like outback in Western Australia.

So grab yourself a big bowl of last summer’s left-over potato salad, some month old Jagerbombs and enjoy !!

This is it, we’ve arrived at our final destination, the last stop on the road to discovering who can best replicate the look of stunned surprise on Martyn Jenkins face as he sets off on another model railroading adventure. With almost a hundred entries we picked the best of the best that the AML Nation has to offer in order to help Martyn pick the best photo.

It’s an exciting episode with plenty of paparazzi, red carpet interviews and a cast of thousands, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded confetti, a tall glass outback pond water and enjoy !!

This episode features two fantastic young men who found each other through the wonders of social media. Cam models the BNSF’s line over Crawford Hill and Marias Pass while John, who’s layout was planned by Bob Sprague, models the Union Pacific Mainline across the Cascade Subdivision in Oregon. These two young men typify what the next wave of model railroader will look like.

We were so excited to interview these two youthful modelers we couldn't hardly think straight, so bear with us as we talk remote operations, manned helpers, YouTubing and what the next generation of model railroader might look like in the years and decades to come. Enjoy!!

Well we finally did it, two hundred patrons and it didn't take that long at all. There's lots of excitement around the old AML headquarters here in Busted Knuckle, Kentucky with so many folks willing to plunk down their hard-earned cash just for a chance to tune in one more time each week. Bill Sampson from Minnesota wanted to do something special to recognize this momentous event with a special gift and we here at HQ decided to kick in a couple of T-shirts.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded raffle tickets, a tall glass of freshly squeezed coleslaw juice and find out who the lucky winner is.

Founded in 2003 the small family business of Otter Valley Railroad served local customers and travelled the circuit of train shows throughout Southern Ontario. In the summer of 2011 a brand new 1,200 square foot retail store was built and packed from the ceiling to the floor with model train products.

Over the years Otter Valley has worked with such manufacturing giants as Bowser and Rapido Trains becoming an important source for individual items as they continue to grow and expand.

Surrounded by a great group of employees, Lorne and his capable staff continues to grow the product line while the future looks more promising with each passing day. This is a great episode as the Evel Overlord reveals his alter-ego Captain Grumblebum, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded Canadian bacon, a tall glass of Maple syrup and enjoy.

The next generation of hobbyist is here with YouTube videos, Facebook pages and any other kind of social media you can think of this episode is a perfect example of why the argument of “the hobby is dying” needs to be put to rest once and for all. This is a great discussion with an enthusiastic young man who's all about enjoying this great hobby of model railroading.

There's plenty of other fun as Tony Cook and Ron Marsh talk about collaborating on some exciting new projects for model railroad news. Plus we hear from our very own “Mr. Intros” David Start along with the proprietor of everybody's favorite model railroad shop, Midwest Model Railroad.

So grab yourself a big bowl I've shredded videotape, a steaming hot mug of film developer and enjoy !!

More and more we’re finding full-time railroaders just as interested and excited about model railroading as they are with their day jobs. This month's guest is a long time BNSF employee who enjoys spending time at the workbench as much he does behind the controls of an SD40-2.

It's a great story of a dedicated railroader from his early days in the Seattle, Washington area to his present assignment in Temple, Texas and all his adventures in between. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded air hoses, a tall cool glass of spent diesel fuel and enjoy !!

It's time for another exciting round of the Kelly Questions with one of Conrail's biggest fans, we've all got to know him up and personal from his fabulous Facebook live podcasts featuring operations in upstate New York and now it’s our chance to find out how he holds up under pressure.

It’s our very own “Uncle” Dave, as he dons the tin foil helmet and gets ready to answer some of the most toughest questions in the hobby today. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded timetables, a tall cool glass of melted aerosol cheese and enjoy!!

What do you get when combine a lifelong model railroader with a doctor and an ex-navy guy?? A great layout built by a dedicated member of the NMRA and someone who has squeezed as much out of the hobby as possible. This is a great episode that follows the journey of a lifelong model railroader that travelled the world while serving his country.

When he finally settled down, he decided to preserve the memory the Susquehanna & New York Railroad in HO scale. Mike has also created a great website at: snyrr.com

So sit back and get comfortable for a story that we’re sure won’t disappoint !!

It's election time at the NMRA again and we’ve offered this podcast to anyone running for office in order for them to express their positions and answer questions about the future of this hobby and the organization. John Doehring who’s running for Eastern Director and Gordy Robinson who’s put his name on the ballot for president of the NMRA agreed to answer some questions and tell what they think is store for the future of this hobby.

These two gentlemen were more than to make time to answer our questions covering many areas of concern about where the hobby is headed. Hopefully this episode will help you decide one way or another who to vote for in this critical upcoming election. Enjoy !!

What happens when a guy with lots of enthusiasm for the hobby with a personality as big as Manhattan itself, twelve hundred freight cars, a wobbly car float finally decides to build an operating layout?? You get a place where friendships come first and operating a model railroad in a realistic fashion is a close second.

Welcome to the New York Harbor Railroad on the west of Manhattan set in the year 1947. Serving the Erie Railroad, Lehigh Valley Railroad and the New York Central all jammed into one basement primarily for the pleasure of other modelers to operate. Dave is a fun guy to talk with and this is an episode we’re sure you’ll enjoy !!

Starting a new career can be as exciting as anything you’ll ever do and getting to share the adventure with others might be the next best thing. When we found out our very own George “the Boy Wonder” Taylor (a.k.a. “Teaspoon”) had been hired on by the Canadian National Railway, we jumped at the chance to ride along.

These are the first two installments in a journal of life as we tag along on what we hope will be a long, exciting journey for our intrepid hero as he begins a new chapter in his life. So grab your book of operating rules, radio, some warm boots and hop onboard this train bound for the future.

Backdrops are as important to scenery as any other aspect in the overall appearance of a finished model railroad scene. This month Scott shows us how he created the Rock River on his Milan Branch of the Iowa Interstate Railroad layout. Through a series of experiments, mistakes and successes the finished product turned out beautifully. Ron Marsh is the co-host for this episode and does an excellent job of keeping the conversation on “track.”

So grab yourself a big bowl of course medium green ground foam, a tall cool glass of unfiltered river water and enjoy !!

Since the beginning we’ve checked up on the state of the hobby each year with Joe Fugate editor of the online magazine Model Railroad Hobbyist and this year is no different, but we decided to add our favorite NMRA Director-at-Large Gordy Robinson all the way from the Orkney Islands in the North Atlantic just off the coast of Scotland.

Both of these gentlemen had some interesting information to share about the future of this great hobby and with the kind of enthusiasm Gordy has the future looks very bright for everyone. So grab yourself a bowl of haggis, a pint of Guinness and enjoy !!

Conrail guy, flight attendant and museum curator walk into a bar… Sounds like a great lead in for a joke but instead it’s the lead in for the AML Nation’s Christmas Eve Special featuring our very “Uncle” Dave Abeles, Tracy Boyd the official flight attendant of the AML Network and Michelle Kempema the fastest talking museum curator east of the Rockies !!

This podcast is like the jelly of the month club… it’s the gift that just keeps on giving. So grab yourself a bowl of last year’s butternut squash, a steaming hot mug of leftover gravy and enjoy!!

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care in hopes that Peter would soon be there. Matt with his tattoo and Andy with his beard had just settled down for a long winter’s podcast when outside the studio there rose such a clatter, I sprang from my chair to see what ‘twas the matter. What to my eyes should there appear but eight tiny boxcars so lively and quick lead a jolly young man with a smile on his face yelling, “come on NMRA, pick up the pace.”

The young man smiled as his ideas they did come and I’m here to tell you, the NMRA is not done. I’m Gordy, I’m Gordy so vote for me now, I’ll be your president and for sure you’ll say wow !! 

Merry Christmas from the AML Nation !!!

If you’re interested in the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad or you’re wondering what sort of choices a Canadian National locomotive engineer from Fort Dodge, Iowa would make under pressure, then you’ve come to the right place. If you’ve ever wonder how elitist hobby manufacturer like Scott Thornton would handle scoring on the Kelly Questions, then you’ve come to the right place.

It’s time once again to don the tinfoil helmet as we take another contestant down the precarious road of providing useless knowledge that no one needs to know. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded score cards, a steaming hot mug of melted locomotive axle grease and enjoy !!

Have you ever felt that sometimes your scale locomotives get lonely and need a little support in order to make it through another operating session or maybe on those long dark nights when there’s no action on the railroad at all?? Well fear not, now there’s Decoder Buddy from Nick Santo, a former chemist turned flight instructor from New England.

Model railroaders are an inventive bunch to be sure, often times out of necessity and often times just simply looking to build a better mouse trap, making the hobby more enjoyable for everyone. The Decoder Buddy helps simplify the installation on a variety of different DCC decoders, it’s a product that’s sure revolutionize an already exciting part of the hobby. It’s a great podcast we’re sure you’ll enjoy !!

There’s a new locomotive manufacturer coming to town and they’re called Aurora Miniatures, but here’s the twist. They’re based in China and have been selling high quality models to the Chinese model railroad market for several years. Now with a good foundation of creating exquisite HO scale models, the release of their first locomotive based on a North American prototype is about to hit the market.

Canadian National’s SD60F will be the first model offered by Aurora Miniatures along with several beautifully crafted HO scale containers. Ben Wang is the lead man on this side of the Pacific and he’s here to bring the AML Nation up to speed. Enjoy !!

The train set is a time-honored tradition every Christmas morning with boys and girls of all ages from one to a hundred delighted by the sights and sounds of a train set around the tree. Once again, we’ve called on Model Railroad news editor Tony Cook to tell us about some the best options available for this Christmas season.

These days the choices range form the very simple to the very expensive and everything in between and if you listen long enough, you’ll get a chance to revisit those great airport movies of the seventies with George Kennedy and Charleton Heston. So grab yourself some stale

in-flight peanuts, your favorite flat soda and enjoy !!

The train set is a time-honored tradition every Christmas morning with boys and girls of all ages from one to a hundred delighted by the sights and sounds of a train set around the tree. Once again, we’ve called on Model Railroad news editor Tony Cook to tell us about some the best options available for this Christmas season.

These days the choices range form the very simple to the very expensive and everything in between and if you listen long enough, you’ll get a chance to revisit those great airport movies of the seventies with George Kennedy and Charleton Heston. So grab yourself some stale in-flight peanuts, your favorite flat soda and enjoy !!

This a great interview with a lifelong railroader that work at several different levels with Canadian National Railway while always learning and improving as he went along his journey. It’s also a great story of a full-time railroader who’s devoted to the hobby of model railroading and the friends he’s made along the way. Our friend Rob Arsenault introduced us, and we’re glad he did.

Just like any great recipe we added a touch of “Spoon” to liven things up. So, grab yourself a cup of steaming hot cocoa, get comfy in your favorite chair and enjoy!!

Well poop, this isn’t any fun at all. The Amherst Railway Society Railroad Hobby Show has been cancelled and all hope has been lost, we’re not even sure there’s a reason to get up tomorrow. But wait, all is not lost, who’s that we see off in the distance leading the charge against sadness and despair?? It’s none other than everyone’s train show hero, John Sacerdote who’s been show director for the past 16 years.

John has all sorts of news about what’s going take the place in lieu of this year’s cancellation and some pretty exciting events will be happening. So sit right down in your lawn chair with some left over hot dogs and enjoy !!

Still trying to recover from the “Fans #28” the introductions, get figure out why your dill pickle scented body wash isn’t driving the girls wild. The Nicholas Cage pillowcases you ordered from Amazon were the wrong size but when you tried to exchange them for autographed Doris Day bath towels you found out she’s longer available for after dinner speaking engagements.

None of this makes sense which is the perfect introduction to “Fans of the AML Part #2.” This time our fearless heroes did manage to read five days of posts falling even further behind in their never-ending quest to catch up. So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded  8X10 glossy’s, a steaming hot mug of stale bath water and enjoy !!

One of the best parts of having a world-famous podcast is all the folks we meet along the way and today’s episode is no exception. Buried deep in the hills of South Carolina, we found ourselves a gem of a modeler who’s built several layouts on his way to finally settling down in S-scale and twelve miles of railroad between Greenville and Travellers Rest known as the Greenville and Northern Railway.

We here at the ‘ole AML Nation enjoyed recording this edition of “a ModelerLife” and look forward to sharing it with all of you. So find yourself a comfortable spot on the porch with a refreshing cold beverage, loosen your belt after a hearty meal and enjoy !!

This podcast is a great discussion between two railroaders about railroading over Soldier Summit, a sixty-nine mile stretch of rail through a broad valley pass joining the communities of Helper and Provo, Utah. Adam Pinales tells some great stories of running trains for the Utah Railway over the Summit.

It’s also the first AML podcast in history with two… Count ‘em two introductions. It’s a long story and not necessarily one you’re gonna want to share with the grandkids. So, get comfy on the couch and get ready for the podcast of your life.

Tangent Scale Models has been producing and selling high quality, HO scale freight car replicas since 2007. Tangent’s owner and creator David Lehlbach is an avid model railroader that wanted to create exquisite models for everyone in the hobby to enjoy. All of Tangent’s cars are produced with the same enthusiasm that David has for the hobby.

If you’ve wanted to know more about the man behind the models this is a great interview with very open and honest conversation about our great hobby and an in-depth look at what goes into each and every car. So get comfortable in from of the Motorola with a steaming hot cup of cocoa and enjoy!!

When it comes to model railroad podcasts there's only one that really counts, there's been others of course, plenty of others as a matter of fact but only one can declare itself the grandfather of them all. Of course, we speak of the AML Network’s original spinoff show, Model Rail Radio that's been gracing the airways of every self-respecting hobbyist for over a decade.

Since its inception model rail radio has set a high standard of podcasting delivering quality episodes and historic specials for old and new listeners alike. So grab yourself a big plate of shredded woofer's and tweeters, a steaming hot mug of melted copper wire and enjoy !!

There are far more people earning their living from railroading in this hobby then anyone realises, of course we have our very own Spoon but this episode clearly displays how one man can love his job as a locomotive engineer as much as he loves the hobby of model railroading. Turns out operating 240 car unit trains by yourself on the Québec North Shore and Labrador railroad can be just as challenging as building a truly magnificent O-scale layout.

Find out more about on Facebook at CN Sanmore Subdivision in this great episode of “a ModelersLife.” Also check out the YouTube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyjuCVikYlaZrkAhq6rGpkA

There’s never been a question about whether or not the AML Nation is packed with all stars as this episode clearly demonstrates. First up is Drew Warrington, a great example of the next generation of modeler that’s full of excitement and enthusiasm with a great desire to learn from others while looking to do his part in improving model railroading. Next we hear from our old buddy Gordy Robinson who’s about to enter the next NMRA elections in 2021 by throwing his hat in the ring for president.

Finally, we with Stephen Atwell, the owner of Midwest Model Railroad in Independence, Missouri, one of the fastest growing online hobby retailers out there. Stephen and I share some very exciting news but you'll just have to listen to find out what it is. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded packing tape, a tall cool glass of BBQ grease and enjoy !!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to quit your job and purchase a successful model railroad company or perhaps purchase an Erie business car number one from the French Lick Scenic Railroad. Or perhaps you've wondered what it would be like to purchase a troop sleeper, a flat car, a high railer, a speeder or various other model railroad companies such as Durango Press and JL Innovative.

Well our next guest has done just that and never regretted it for a second, this is the story of someone who loves railroading, model railroading and the community that this hobby provides. It's a great episode so sit back with a big bowl of shredded seat covers, a steaming hot mug of melted axle grease and enjoy!!

It’s time for our next contestant to strap on the tin foil helmet and answer some tough questions that are really of no use to anyone. Plus if you’re wondering what it’s like to move from Florida to New Hampshire in the middle of winter, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ll discuss everything the from the NMRA’s Achievement Certificate Program to exploring the pro’s and cons of ground water vs. river water and take an in depth look at swamp water. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded cattle corn, a tall cool glass of melted yellow snow and enjoy !!

Train shows are always fun, hunting for bargains, checking out what’s new, meeting friends and just soaking up the atmosphere. But while we’re out in the aisles mingling with the crowds having fun, there’s a whole bunch of other folks working their regular jobs, explaining their products and helping us enjoy the hobby as much as possible.

Episode 144 featured a great discussion about burnout in the hobby, so we took it one step further to examine how working train shows effect your hobby time. So put on your favorite smoking jacket, get comfortable in the lazy boy and enjoy !!

There's nothing better than finding an opportunity in the basement to expand your current layout and that’s what happened to the AML’s very own how to guy Ron Marsh. After his layout demolition video turned out to be so popular we decided to find out what the future holds for Ron’s Trains N’ Things.

Along with co-host Scott Thornton we try to find out which of the “Things” will be part of this exciting new adventure. So grab your favorite sledge hammer, dump out the shop-vac and get ready for a fun filled ninety minutes of railroading and stories about Scott’s pet hamsters.

Here’s another exciting round of the Kelly Questions which means it’s time for another contestant to strap on the tin foil helmet and tell us their inner most thoughts on a wide variety of model railroad subjects.

These questions have been hermetically sealed in a reasonably clean mayonnaise jar and stored in a specially constructed laser cut box under Tom Jacobs Reading “Crossline” layout. NO ONE… I REPEAT… NO ONE, knows the contents of these questions except for the modeler simply known as “Kelly!!”

After a quick trip to the hospital the contestant is at home and resting quietly. Please enjoy the podcast.

Bob’s Track Plans.com is probably the most comprehensive track planning website on the internet with almost a hundred different plans to view, enjoy and get ideas from. Bob simply takes pleasure from trying to replicate the appearance and operations of real railroads as faithfully as possible in miniature while applying this philosophy to his lifelong passion of track planning.

Recently Bob entered the world of 3D printing with great success and there’s many items available for purchase listed on his website. He’s lifelong model railroader with a passion for the hobby that’s easily recognizable in this episode. Enjoy. 

We don’t use the term All-Stars lightly here at the ole’ AML Network but this episode of the “Stars” is truly out of this universe. Everything is covered, Tracy our Official Flight Attendant tells us about learning to identify locomotives using flash cards, Kaylee fills us in on what it’s like to stuff a decoder into a HO-Scale track mobile and finally MRN editor Tony Cook shares some product news.

After all that we still find time to discuss the stellar acting career of Charlton Heston and disaster movies of the 70’s. So grab yourself a big bowl of airline pretzels, a steaming hot mug of spilled jet fuel and enjoy !!

We here at the ole’ AML headquarters in Busted Knuckle, Kentucky are always looking for an opportunity to broaden our horizons and elevate our cultural standing in the community. Unfortunately we were unable to do that with our next guest but we did discover that being a world class horn player, the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and model railroading goes together like ice cream and brownies.

So grab yourself a seat upfront as we discover how classical music and the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad live together under one roof. Enjoy.

Fabulous N-Scale layout, tools that will make your next model stand out from the rest, a dedicated model railroad store that’s growing like an over watered Chia Pet and much, much more all in one handy to use podcast.

On this version of the Variety Hour we visit with Walker Embry-Texas Ranger, Tim Warris of FastTracks fame and visit with Lorne James the owner of Otter Valley Railroad, a very successful hobby shop in Southwestern Ontario.

So sit right down in your favorite podcast chair with a cool refreshing beverage and enjoy!!

Most people will tell say that to much chocolate is bad for you but for our next guest when it’s comes to model railroading you can never have to much chocolate. It’s seems as though Jim has done just about everything you can do when it comes to the hobby and still can’t get enough.

From his earliest days of owning a trucking company, hiring on with the CSX, soldering together turnouts in his car, discovering Proto 48 and becoming a conductor on the MBTA. (Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority) It’s a great story and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy… Listening to Us… Listening to Others.

It’s been a tough four months for everyone and in the AML Nation and this seemed as good a time as any to check in with some of our regulars to find out they’re coping with life. Before we knew it was the longest podcast in AML history with everything from audio checks to stopping by the local car lot to pick up some new wheels.

Peter in England, Gordy in Scotland, Martyn in Australia, Neil in Hawaii plus many more. So find yourself a comfortable spot with a refreshing beverage and discover how “the Nation” is doing in these troubled times.

In this episode of a ModelersLife we venture into the life of maybe the most energetic person we’ve met here at the ole’ AML network. Whether she’s busy being the executive director at one of the best model railroad experiences in the country or helping expand the knowledge of an enthusiastic child, Michelle can rarely be seen sitting still.

So put down your jar of queso, strap yourself into the fastest coffee cup racer you can find and be prepared to enjoy a podcast full of twists and turns!!

Here at the old AML network we’ve been wondering for quite some time now what exactly are those things that pop up from time to time on Ron’s Trains ‘N Things?? So we decided it was time for some hard hitting investigative journalism in an effort to find out exactly what the “things” are but unfortunately we were met with a series of vague answers and enough side-stepping to create a new dance craze.

Ron Trains ‘N Things has been the official how-to video channel of the AML Network longer than “Kelly” has lived in one place. But what if we brought together two of our favorite Rons to create one of the best product review videos ever seen on YouTube?? Unfortunately that wasn’t possible but we did manage to create a moderately adequate podcast. Enjoy!!

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!!

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!!

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 !!

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 !!

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!!

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.

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.

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!!

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!!

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.

People walk in and out of our lives for various reasons without ever telling us why. Ray Kenny made a lasting impression on the Abeles family before losing his battle with Covid-19

Ray was the Senior Vice President and General Manager at New Jersey Transit when Dave Abeles introduced him to his family. We’ll never know for sure what effect he had on those kids but perhaps in some small way this podcast will pay tribute to Ray and all those who’ve lost the fight.

This year‘s version of TomStock 2020 will have to be put on hold. We were able to cancel the Disney character parade, fireworks spectacular, Goodyear Blimp and Blue Angels opening ceremonies flyby. Regrettably we were unable to rebook Oscar DeWitt and his dancing seals - they will be missed.

Sometimes you just have to do the adult thing, so find a safe place for those folding chairs, funny hats, pool noodles, flip flops and BBQ tools, because

TomStock 2020, with “Three Days of Peace, Love and Little Trains” will happen a year later, a year better!

After the fun of his first ever virtual operating session Dave Abeles couldn’t wait to try again. With the continuing Covid-19 crisis affecting everyone’s life it seemed like more rail fanning was in order so we decided to talk with Dave before and after his next broadcast.

The Chicago Line is always busy and there’s bound to be plenty of interesting traffic to see. So grab yourself some cold ones, climb into your favorite minivan and we’ll see you trackside. Enjoy!!

Imagine being able to watch twenty-four hours of continual clinics from all around the world with a variety of subjects such as weathering locomotives, installing cell phone speakers, adding details, layout tours plus many other great topics all from the comfort of your own home.

Thanks to our pal Gordy Robinson a regular contributor to the ole’ AML network and leader of the NMRA’s social media team, you can do just that starting at 7pm EDT on Friday, April 24th.

So grab your favorite snack, ice cold beverage and your most comfy lawn chair and enjoy!!

As so often happens here at the ole’ AML Network, we had no idea what we were doing when we gathered together for a discussion about nothing and ended up with a whole episode about something.

We cover everything from the excitement re-discovering the wonders of brass locomotives, understanding the meaning of life and considering a new direction in a hobby that offers unlimited possibilities.

So lay down on your favorite couch for a careful examination of what the hobby has to offer and what the future might look like.

We know what you’re thinking right now, what’s happening at the Medford Railroad Park right this minute. Not long ago we decided to install a direct line from AML headquarters in Busted Knuckle, Kentucky to the park so that we could stay in constant contact find with the modeler is simply known as “Kelly.”

Whether he’s spray painting the inside of his garage or pulling weeds down at the park, our little buddy is always up to something. So grab your safety vest, a handful of train club rule pamphlets and enjoy!!

At 9:30 PM Saturday April 18th, Dave Abeles will host the second ‘Virtual Op Session’ on his Onondaga Cutoff. All the action will take place at MP 279, next to the dairy farm on a clear fall morning in 1994. Grab your Dodge Caravan and head trackside for some great train watching action. This is Conrail’s Chicago Line and Dave will tell us all about each train that passes by.

So grab your high vis vest a couple of bags of chips, a case of cold ones and enjoy!!!

We’ve travelled all around North America, been across the Pacific to Australia so it seems only natural that it’s time to head across the pond and find out what’s happening and in Great Britain.

Peter has always been a great supporter of the podcast and he’s about to set out on another great layout building adventure so it seemed like a perfect time to find out what he has in mind. So head on down to the chippy and get ready for another great podcast.

This episode of the Kelly Questions is so old we thought they’d gone bad but fortunately the Moderately Agitated Mailboy stuck them in the fridge behind his ample supply of guacamole.

Let’s not kid ourselves, you’ve been anxious to hear another round of the questions so you could test your skills against some of brightest minds in hobby. Unfortunately none of those people listen to ModelersLife so all we have to offer is our buddy Chris from ExactRail. Enjoy !!

It’s time to check out what’s happening in other parts of the world and where better to start then on Australia’s Gold Coast, with one of the AML‘s most colorful characters. 

Martin puts in a lot of effort with the NMRA and is very active in the virtual world of model railroading trying to reach as many modelers as possible while helping to move the hobby forward, so it seemed only natural to find out what’s going on down under. So throw another shrimp on barbie and enjoy!!

Recorded on March 28th, 2020

It’s time to check in with another one of our AML regulars. We’ve had a chance to talk with lots of folks and this interview was originally recorded on March 26th, 2020.

There’s been plenty happening on the Reading “CrossLine” layout and this seemed like as good a time as any to catch up. Enjoy.

Turns out there’s all kinds of fascinating people working at New Jersey Transit and our next guest insists he’s not one of them. As a long time fan of the of the Susquehanna Railroad and regular operator of Dave Abeles’ Onondaga Cutoff he’s got plenty of interesting insights to share.

He’s also a operator on several layouts in the New Jersey area, works in a department with only two people and a very accomplished photographer.

So grab yourself a giant bowl of shredded waybills, frosty cold glass of Susquehanna railroad yellow paint and enjoy!!

Everybody loves a good convention and this year’s NMRA National Convention in St. Louis promises to be a great one. There’s always lots of layouts to see, prototype tours, great clinics, an excellent train show and lots of friends to meet.

The AML nation talks about our plans as our very own Martyn Jenkins comes all the way from Australia just to make sure we have a good time. There’s some about registration that leads to a great discussion. So pull up a chair for some very intriguing questions. Enjoy.

These days it seems as though the problems of the world are just to big to comprehend and keeping your head above water is almost impossible.

It’s time to rely on the AML Nation to once again pick you up and get you back on your feet.

The gang at HQ wants to help spread positive vibes and happiness around the world. We love helping you and others feel better, so have a listen to find out what the gang is thinking this week on another edition of, “Let’s Hug it Out.”

Enjoy!!

So just imagine being a conductor on Amtrak’s California Zephyr through all of this mess. We couldn’t either, so we decided it was time to check in with our favorite, brass locomotive rebuilder, Ford Mustang restoring guy, bidet tester and all-around good guy. Enjoy.

There’s nothing like getting emotional when making a podcast especially when it involves the AML Nation and model railroading. It was kind of a nothing day around HQ so many of the staff were sent home with enough sushi to last at least until dinner time.

Some days you’re just not feeling it and putting it into words can be the quickest remedy to getting back on track. So here’s some words of wisdom from the man with his very own cubicle on the 48th floor of the Stewart L. Sterling building.

This podcast is best enjoyed with a large plate of week old gas station sushi and some left over Yuengling.

So many aspects of model railroading and can be considered an art form and weathering your locomotives and freight cars is no exception. This aspect of the hobby continues to grow in popularity as the search for realism seems endless.

We’re checking in with one of the hobby’s premier grime creators to find out what he’s been up to lately. So grab yourself a bowl of shredded dee-cals, a tall cool glass of splattered engine grease and enjoy.

We can’t even imagine what it’s like to be in the New York City tri-state area right now but as you’re about to find out, there’s lots of people that have to carry-on regardless of the situation.

The show must go on as they say for our next guest who’s managed to himself right in the middle of the fray and decided to do his best regardless of the situation. We here at the ole’ AML Nation think you’re going to find this to be a very special podcast. Enjoy!!

It’s times like this when we truly need each other and so once again we’ve gathered together the very best that the AML Nation has to offer. We can’t guarantee you’ll feel any better but we can guarantee the next two hours will feel like two weeks.

Forget all your problems and worries as we take on a journey to find out what condition your condition was in. Grab yourself a bowl of Fruity Pebbles, a steaming hot mug of last weeks coffee and enjoy !!

We know what you’re asking yourself, what’s happening in Plattsburgh, Missouri right now?? The AML Nation reaches out to every corner of the globe and a sleepy little town north of Kansas City is no different.

This is the podcast you’ve been waiting for, an in-depth look into a fast-paced world of model railroad news. It’s non-stop action for this magazine editor, keeping his finger on the pulse of the world.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded set up sheets, a tall cool glass of printing ink and enjoy!!

It’s time to fly the friendly skies of the AML Nation with our very own flight attendant Ms. Boyd. It’s another emergency podcast about those folks so easily forgotten while they do their job tirelessly, so we here at HQ in Busted Knuckle, decided to find out more about one of our loyal listeners.

It can be tough deciding which scale you’re best suited for and our next guest is no different. Everything from experimenting with Arduino‘s, giving N scale a try and then ending up back where she started.

So grab yourself a big bowl of stale airline pretzels, I’ll tall glass complementary warm water and enjoy.

It's an emergency chat with one of our regular contributors as we slowly make our way through this difficult time. Everything you wanted to know about being apprehensive when adding scenery to your layout is right here in one simple, easy to use podcast.

Chris is never afraid to share his thoughts in order to help other modelers, it's an interesting chat with an interesting guy. Enjoy!!

Just like the great American cowboys discovering new territories west of the Mississippi, model railroading continues to uncover new frontiers that need to be settled. It’s a unique discussion and definitely food for thought.

And if that’s not enough we have another exciting round of the Kelly questions with a dynamic new challenger eager to show the world they can go on up against the best.

So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded cowhide, a tall glass of stagnant pond water and enjoy!!

When you’re having no fun and you’ve got the blues what can be done instead of eating a bun. Hey look, we’re poets and don’t know it.

You could probably do with something to take your mind off all the turmoil and uncertainty that has surrounded us through these troubling times. So here it is, the AML Nation to the rescue with a whole lotta nothing.

Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded test kits, a giant glass of leftover party beer and enjoy.

The Chicago Great Western Railroad has been beautifully reproduced with an artistic feel some say is second to none. Jason has managed to faithfully capture the operation and geographical feel of the railroad.

As a locomotive engineer he’s a keen observer of realism and he’s managed to develop the skills and technique needed to recreate an amazing representation of the CGW in miniature. You can see more with Scott Thornton’s video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFE8GSGsqRs&t=480s