|
|
|
About Us...
|
All modelers have a life but what do we know of it. This podcast is as much about the people in the hobby of model railroading as it is about the hobby itself.
Having always been a fan of the long form conversational interview and having met so many interesting people in the hobby over the years we decided it would be fun to share their back stories with everyone else. So come along with me, Lionel Strang and a strong cast of supporting characters as we discover how life intertwines with this great hobby of ours and helps to strengthen the fabric of who we are as individuals. |
Upcoming Episodes...
|
Kelly Questions: Sleepy Smokin' Joe D'Amato -
It’s time for another victim errr… We mean guest, to put on the tin foil hat and get ready to test their skills in the Kelly Questions. This time we travelled out west to the beautiful state of Oregon to find one of our favorite guests taking a nap deep in the forests of the Rogue River Valley. From doing a stint in the Navy, his roots of building architectural models, scale ships and whatever caught his fancy, Joe finally ended up at Micro-Trains in the booming metropolis of Medford with his faithful companion “Kelly.” This round of the Kelly Questions was more difficult to score as Joe had trouble staying awake through the entire process. Constantly referring to scenery techniques as landscaping, convinced the only beer that mattered was Fosters, discussions of teaching “Kelly” how to properly take a photograph and singing Supremes hits from the sixties it was a long and difficult process. Get comfortable in your favorite chair with big bowl of shredded pine needles, a tall glass of standing water and enjoy!!! |
Recent Episodes...
|
Fans of the AML #55 -
With Halloween just around the corner there’s plenty of things to be afraid of, just imagine if the Queso Cowboy opened the door to a group of trick or treaters dressed as an Iwata Air Brush or worse yet, the “miniprints” guy was greeted by a rat’s nest of wire bunched together without any proper labeling. There’s always something going on when the gang gets together and gives out email addresses. There’s talk of the AML Nation going back to its roots in 2023 for a BBQ at Rochelle Park in Illinois before returning to Robesonia, Pennsylvania for TomStock 2024. Bernard brings us up to date about the first ever tour and chow down sponsored by his 3D printing company MiniPrints. Plus, we find out about the spectacular model Nick Masney of ITLA Models built for one of his prize customers. Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded airbrush instructions, a tall cool glass of melted 3D resin and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 202: Jim Homoki -
The Penn Central Transportation Company is and was, one of the most maligned and disrespected railroads to ever grace the rails in the lower forty-eight. The result of a merger in 1968 with three different railroads, Pennsylvania, New York Central and New Haven it was a disaster from the start, filing for the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history just two years later in 1970. But miracles do happen, the Penn Central is once again alive and well in the basement of the Homoki home in Central New Jersey. Jim has built an impressive layout highlighting some of the operations of the PC while combining it with the Central of New Jersey and Reading Railroad. This is a great podcast with lots of info on a variety of topics that we’re sure you’ll enjoy. So, sit back with steaming hot mug of joe in your favorite PC mug and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Joe Desmond -
On this week’s Patreon podcast we discover that N-Scale is alive and well, living in a New Jersey basement. Joe Desmond brings us up to date on everything that’s been happenin’ on his meticulously built and maintained Conrail layout. Between the pandemic, helping out with the kids and proudly serving as one of the boys in blue, the layout was down on the list of priorities for a while. But the action is starting to ramp up in the train room again, creating a social media clinic and getting operations going again things there’s plenty to talk about. Grab yourself a chair, slide behind the wheel or get the treadmill fired up and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
All-Star Variety Hour #44 -
Variety is the spice of life, and this All-Star variety Hour is the spiciest one yet, with multiple introductions, on the spot reporting and a visit to the world scanning championships it sure to put you to sleep before you know it. After a poor attempt at an introduction, Kelly is brought in to help out, then Bruce the Mailboy and the Evil Overlord recount the fun they had with Hard Part in downtown Toronto. Next up is some excellent reporting from the S-Scale convention in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Finally, we visit the World Scanning Championships in Reading, Pennsylvania with three-time scanning champion Kevin Marks. It’s an action-packed podcast that’s sure to bring a smile to your face with plenty of opportunity for introspective look at why raccoons prefer to be night owls. Click Here For the Free Download |
|
ViewerMail Flight #96 -
Once again, it’s time to answer our voluminous mail from listeners around the globe and just down the street. This month we have a little something different as loyal long-time AML fan Matt Dawson has summitted some new commercials for our listening pleasure. Together the AML Nation will pick one of the four commercials to be put into the regular rotation at the end of each podcast. 1-“Top Marks” 2- “Skip the Shrimp” 3- “Sal’s Sofas” 4- “AML Lawyers.” After carefully listening to each commercial, write the name of your favorite in the comments on Facebook. It’s a great podcast with lots of great chatter from the regular gang, grab yourself a half-melted banana split and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 201: Riley Triggs -
So, you‘re asking yourself, how does a guy from Austin, Texas end up modeling the Port of New York or more specifically the Hoboken Shore Railroad?? The answer is simple… Bananas, plus the desire for something different offering a lifetime of research and modeling. Long before modern day railroading there were so many railroads running into New York with lots of ports and barges etc., it seemed like a natural for our next guest to model. But that’s not all, this layout uses the CVP Products “Airwire” to control the trains, it’s DCC but there is no power to the track. Each locomotive has a receiver and a battery. There is no wiring on the layout at all. But wait, there’s more… Riley is also the NMRA’s publisher and played a major role in getting the magazine to its digital format. This a great episode and one that we’re sure you’ll enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
RailFanning Do's and Don'ts -
There are so many facets to this great hobby and almost anyone who’s interested in the world of trains big or small is a railfan. Whether stopped at a local crossing waiting for a commuter train to pass or somewhere in the vast Utah waste land looking for that next great photograph, we’ve all been trackside at some point standing in awe of these great machines that are so essential to our day to day lives. It was with this thought in mind that we brought together Chris Wehman who’s produced countless videos for Green Frog Productions, Rodger Coleman who’s relatively new to model railroading and railfanning but already captured some great shots, plus or very own “Uncle” Dave Abeles who’s been trackside with a camera for as long as he can remember. Find yourself a comfortable chair, get the treadmill going or buckle up for that drive to work and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Kelly Questions: Chris Costello -
So, you can’t find a ski rack tall enough to hold your Batman snowboard, still trying to figure out why the engaging essence of your deodorant called “Salt of the Sea” smells more like worms in a can, or perhaps you’re trying to match the color of your 70’s avocado green refrigerator to paint your newly restored AMC Pacer. We can’t help with any of these problems, but we can help you waste another ninety minutes listening to the latest edition of “Kelly” Questions. This time we’ve managed to lure in another unsuspecting model railroad manufacturer with the promise of increased sales based on his ability to get the highest score possible. Chris Costello of JL Innovative stops by the studio to try his luck under the tin foil hat. Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded packaging tape, a tall cool glass of acrylic caboose red and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Fans of the AML #54 -
What can be said that hasn’t already been said about the crew here at the ole’ AML World Headquarters, an enthusiastic group of misfits getting together every so often to talk about their adventures and the folks they’ve encounter through the wonderful hobby of model railroading. On this episode of the “Fans,” the Queso Cowboy fills us in on his adventures at the “Iron Horse” ramble and all the other AMLer’s he saw that day. “Kelly” tells us all about the preparations being made at the Medford Railroad Park as the gang gets ready for a visit from Shane Wilson of ScaleTrains. The “Average Don” talks about Susan Herrick’s new car and Chris “the Registar” Atkins can barely contain his excitement about next year’s national NMRA convention in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. It’s another great episode that’s sure to put you to sleep!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 200: Tom Barbalet -
Milestones are often times something to be celebrated and here at the ole’ AML Network we think Episode 200 is something definitely worth getting excited about. Thanks to the persistence of “Bruce the Mailboy,” the dedication of folks like the modeler simply known as “Kelly” and a host of others, we’ve arrived at a place many didn’t think was possible. Model Rail Radio played a significant role in the birth of this podcast and with that in mind we decided there was no one more suitable to be part Episode 200 than its creator Tom Barbalet. Tom was always available during the infancy of “a ModelersLife” ready to answer questions and offer advice. So, with that in mind it’s time to find a comfortable place on the couch with a refreshing beverage and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Mike Garland -
One of our favorite things to do here at the ole’ AML Network is making return visits with some of our more notable guests and this week we returned to the Seaboard Central only to find out they’d moved. After making some inquiries and carefully studying the YouTube channel, we were finally able to locate the new location and give the place a once over. It’s an exciting time for our favorite Norfolk Southern locomotive engineer with a brand-new location for his railroad and some exciting plans in the works. If you’ve ever considered having several workbenches in one location this is the podcast for you. Grab yourself a big bowl of birch plywood sawdust, a steaming hot mug yellow glue and enjoy!!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Kelly Questions: Mike Hauk -
It’s time once again for another exhilarating round of the Kelly Questions!! In this episode we travel to the shores of Lake Erie and the snowbound village of Fairview, Pennsylvania to visit with our favorite retired navy doctor. It’s an exciting episode with all the twists and turns you’ve come to expect from the Kelly Questions. Find out why Mike’s favorite spoken word song and Star Trek are one in the same. Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded snowblower drive-belts, a tall glass of melted yellow snow and enjoy!!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
ViewerMail Flight #95 -
It’s time once again for our voluminous ViewerMail from all across the globe as listeners write in with their comments and questions for our crack staff. Sentence structure isn’t important, composition isn’t important, we just want to know what’s on your mind and the three numbers on the back of your credit card. Whether you want to know about some of the best places to eat around Midwest Model Railroad or you’re anxiously awaiting to hear about the latest mystery solved by our very own Rich “the Wiz” Wisneski, ViewerMail is your round the clock source for the latest news, weather, and sports. Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Chris "Fitness" Adams -
It’s always fun to talk with folks who are enthusiastic about the hobby but when you stop to think about it, I’m not sure we’ve ever talked to anyone that’s not excited about being involved in this great community of model railroading. Are next guest is no stranger to regular listeners and certainly doesn’t lack enthusiasm. This edition of Waz’ Happenin’ features the one and only Chris “Fitness.” Whether he’s fretting over the next section of backdrop, finishing up another great magazine article or trying to figure out what color to paint the fascia it’s always fun to hear why he’s doing what he does. So, grab yourself a big bowl of shredded discarded backdrops, a tall cool glass of old Pullman green paint and enjoy!!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
"Uncle" Dave's Fireside Chat #6 -
It’s time once again for more adventures with “Uncle” Dave and there’ was so much ground to cover we just simply ran out of time. There’s an interesting discussion on what guest operators can bring to a layout and how giving the layout host a great experience is important. We discover more about the Minoa & Euclid railroad, a branch-line railroad that appeared on the cover of Railroad Model Craftsman in February 2022. Plus, a guided tour of the Station Inn alongside the Norfolk Southern mainline in Cresson, Pennsylvania and some of the best railfanning spots in and around Horseshoe Curve. So pull up a chair, lean back with your favorite beverage as we try to keep up with all the comings and goings of “Uncle” Dave. Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 199: Arrowhead Models & Blaine Hadfield -
It’s always fun to occasionally check in with manufacturers and find out what’s new or what plans there are for the future. So, we here at AML headquarters decided it was time for a return visit to Arrowhead Models to see what our buddy Blaine had been up to and aside from announcing his latest project, the ACF 4600 covered hopper, he’s also about to release a new book, “One Hundred Ghosts” documenting the last of grain elevators across the west. You can find out more about both projects here: https://arrowheadmodels.com/ As always Blaine strives to make the products delivered by Arrowhead Models to be some of the finest models available to the general model railroading public. It’s a great interview that as usual has some interesting twists and turns. Plus, there’s an interesting discussion about the restoration of a steam locomotive in downtown Sheridan, Wyoming. Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Fans of the AML #53 -
Well, it finally happened after three years of planning two cancellations and one world-wide pandemic, TomStock 2020 is now in the books, and it was a rousing success. “Kelly” threw out the first pitch at the Fightin’ Phils baseball game, was unable to buy a hamburger at Dairy Queen, got into a dust up at the Strasburg Rail Road and got kicked out of Shady Maple for hogging all the fried chicken. We rode the Reading and Northern Budd Car, Chris Adams tried to apply the emergency brake, Peter Borcherds didn’t fall out of the door, but Bernard Hellen almost fell out the window. Scott, Lionel, John and Rick went on a pub crawl in Jim Thorpe while Tracy rode another train with Rob. We visit Ken McCorry’s layout for an hour or two and came away with a new appreciation for the hobby. Thanks to Tom Jacobs and his wife Deb the whole event was a roaring success and went off without a hitch. When asked about possibly of hosting another event Tom was unable to breath and taken away in an ambulance. Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
NMRA: We're Doubling the Membership !! -
What’s that you say??... The NMRA is dying, and membership continues to decline?? Well sir on this podcast we have two gentlemen that would very much respectfully disagree. Gordy Robinson a.k.a. “Young Master Robinson,” a.k.a. “the Prez” and board member John Doehring are here to present a case for just the opposite, in fact they are convinced the NMRA can grow and surpass all-time high membership numbers. If you’re not enthused about the future of this great organization after listening to this podcast you probably should check yourself for a pulse. These guys are deadly serious about growing the NMRA and making it a place for all model railroaders to gather and grow together. So, get behind the wheel of your 1978 AMC Gremlin shove a cassette into the tape deck and get ready to be excited about the future of the NMRA. Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Kelly Questions: Round 70 - David Heyde -
You’ve planned a surprise birthday party for your favorite psychic, but he’d already guess it was happening. You still haven’t figured out when it stops being partly sunny and becomes partly cloudy. You’ve discovered that you meditate best when cutting the grass but the mower ‘s to noisy to concentrate. We can’t help you with any of these problems, but it is time once again for another exciting round of the Kelly Questions and this time we dug deep, all the way to the back of the filing cabinet to find this gem featuring the AML’s very own french horn soloist. David is an avid model railroader and dons the tin foil hat with an enthusiasm for the hobby that’s infectious. Grab a big bowl of shredded musical notes, a tall cool glass of horn spit and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 198: Jim Scorse-NCE -
There are so many great folks to talk with in the AML Nation and one of the best, is our very own Jim Scorse the owner NCE. Jim has spent over twenty years building NCE into one of the most important companies in the hobby while he continues to innovate and improve his products year after year. But like so many of our guests Jim isn’t just NCE, he’s passionate about model railroad operations along with his many outside interests such as trivia nights at the local pub, online racing, and his love of music. It’s a great interview and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded car cards, a steaming hot mug of melted solder and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
"Uncle" Dave's Fireside Chat #6 -
Some folks can never sit still, always going somewhere, doing something or busy planning the next trip. On this episode of “Uncle” Dave’s fireside chats, we discover he’s just returned from a week-long vacation on the Jersey Shore as he prepares for the trip of a lifetime taking his family out west on the “California Zephyr” so they too can discover the magic of the Rio Grande!! We also discover the angst of the Evel Overlord not being able to have any news that Dave hasn’t already heard or been part of as he describes his involvement in the sale of the Station Inn beside the tracks in Cresson, Pennsylvania. Plus, he talks about his trip to China several years ago, New Jersey Transits heritage fleet and who’s checking up on who through today’s technology. It’s an action-packed hour and half, so grab yourself a big bowl of firebox coal ash, a tall cool glass of steam engine water drippings and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Gateway 2022 Convention Update -
There’s nothing like going to an NMRA “Gateway 2022” convention to get the most out of the hobby and this year’s national convention is no different. With over a hundred different clinics, dozens of layouts to visit and operate on, lots of prototype tours, this is going to be a great event for all to enjoy. Plus, the St. Louis Cardinals baseball stadium is just down the street from the hotel. Brad Joseph stops by for another visit to give us an update on all the comings and goings of this great convention, Brad’s full of energy and if his enthusiasm is any indication of what this year’s edition of the national convention is going to like you won’t want to miss it. So grab yourself a big bowl of shredded tour maps, a tall cool glass used decal solution and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
ViewerMail Flight #94 -
You followed a state trooper home from the beach because you thought it was the ice cream truck, you thought “Kelly” was an only child, you made three dozen chocolate chip cookies but forgot where you put them, you got lost on the way to TomStock because the blueberry stain on your map pointed towards Idaho. We can’t help you with any of these problems, but we can help you waste another two hours of your life while listening to ViewerMail. Grab your favorite chair a tall glass of leftover beer, a big bowl of shredded discarded Smarties boxes and enjoy. Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 197: the Staff of Railroad Model Craftsman -
After numerous phone calls, several neutral site meetings, mountains of email and having our people talked to their people. It’s finally gonna happen, the editorial staff of Railroad Model Craftsman stopped by the AML studios in Busted Knuckle for an in-depth interview. Now that Otto Vondrak is the editor of RMC, he wants to promote his staff and let the world know who’s behind the pages you’ve been reading. This is a great interview and really helps everyone listening, realize that RMC has some of the most knowledgeable people from the industry. So, sit back with a big bowl shredded expire Christmas cards a tall cool glass of printer’s ink and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Fans Of the AML #52 -
Was the night before TomStock and all through the land… Not a creature was stirring…Not even the band… Well actually that’s not exactly true. Kelly went to see “Lighting” a.k.a. Jerry Britton and Chris Atkins travelled deep into the wilds of New Jersey to visit “Uncle” Dave. Just like kids on Christmas eve the AML Nation is giddy with excitement as it counts down the final hours until TomStock 2020, 4 Days of Peace, Love and Little Trains finally gets underway !! Shady Maple is ready for dinner on Wednesday, the Reading and Northern is ready for our Budd car excursion to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, the Strasburg railroad has cleaned up its best car for us and Ken McCorry is ready for a visit from the AML Nation. It’s BBQ time at the Jacobs Farm in Robesonia, Pennsylvania with enough food and drink to feed and an army and then off to the baseball game to watch the modeler simply known as “Kelly” throw out the first pitch. This is going to a marginally adequate event of major proportions!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
ScaleTrains Road Trip Report #3 -
Third time’s a charm or at least that’s what the gang at ScaleTrains world headquarters in Benton, Tennessee are thinking. When Shane Wilson and his wife set out on the third leg of, their journey across America, towards the southeast and a whirlwind trip through Florida. Visiting several clubs and private layouts while meeting new friends and catching up with old. This was much more than just an opportunity to sell more product but more to discover just how vast the model railroading landscape is. They also managed to visit the Daytona International Speedway and take in the Daytona 500, visit with old friends from Shane’s Athearn days while taking in an Indy car race from the balcony of a condo twenty floors up. It’s a great recap of this latest leg of the ScaleTrains journey across America and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy !! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
the Ray Arnott Story -
Whose Ray Arnott you ask?? We had no idea, but we needed an interview, and he was available, so we dragged him into the studio only to find out he’s close personal friends with the “Average” Don. A long fan of our very own Tony Cook, we took this opportunity to bring these two prolific authors together and discuss the art of self-publishing. Ray has been an accomplished photographer for some time and produced a book of railroad photography that’s well worth a read, plus we find out how he helped a fellow modeler with his backdrop using his drone. There plenty of other discussion about everything from operations to the importance of model railroad friends. It’s a great listen and one we’re sure you’ll enjoy !! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 196: Scott Thornton Revisited -
Some modelers stand head and shoulders above the rest, our next guest has proven time and time again that he takes the hobby seriously while getting as much enjoyment as possible from every aspect of model railroading. Scott’s Milan Branch of the Iowa Interstate Railroad is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable model railroad layouts in the hobby. So, we here at the ole’ AML World Headquarters decided it was time to swing back and find out what Scott’s been up to. We decided to include Bernard Hellen of Miniprints because it was Scott who introduced him to us in the first place. This is a fun episode with lots of twists and turns, so grab your favorite 3D printed chair, a big bag of pork rinds and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Chris Brimley -
If we’ve learned anything from this podcast, it’s that model railroaders are just endlessly interesting, whether they’re chief counsel for the state of Connecticut, Mayor of Hornepayne, assistant principal French horn for the Dallas symphony orchestra, or just simply a good citizen, each one of our guests has had a great story to tell. Chris Brimley is no exception; he’s been a guest on the podcast several times now and each time he just gets more and more interesting. As well as being the vice-president of ExactRail, having his layout featured in Railroad Model Craftsman, he’s found a new love with railroad photography traveling around the back country of Utah. This a great episode that we’re sure you’ll enjoy !! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
All-Star Variety Hour #43 -
We try to interview everyone here at the ole’ AML Network but sometimes one or two important members of the hobby slip through the cracks. In this episode we discover a someone that’s been a major contributor to the hobby for quite a while now. Our very own “Bruce the Mailboy” has been moderating some valuable discussions in the Groups io and we’ve only just now found out. Plus, we have a great interview with Eric Hansmann who’s been researching and compiling as much information as possible about railroads from more than a century ago, “Uncle” Dave helps host this segment and brings us his perspective as only “Uncle” Dave can. Sit back in the lazy-boy close your eyes and before you know it your wife Dolly will yelling at you about cutting the grass. Enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download https://designbuildop.hansmanns.org/ https://groups.io/g/Ry-ops-industrialSIG https://groups.io/g/small-layout-design? |
|
Fans of the AML #51 -
It’s always fun to be invited to another railroad for an operating session and crucial to any good session is the food, whether it’s meeting at the local pizza joint for a pregame meal or having the host prepare a home cooked meal for the crew, but even more critical are the snacks. Some layout hosts go with the bare minimum while others will go above and beyond with the ultimate… A snack buffet !! In this episode of the “Fans” we found out each member of the “Fans”crew has their own idea of what constitutes a good serving of snacks and our very own modeler simply known as “Kelly” tells us the HO scale club at the Medford Railroad Park even has a healthy supply of ice cream bars for the members to enjoy. It’s another fun podcast with gang down at the ole’ AML headquarters, so grab yourself a big bowl of shredded candy wrappers, a tall cool glass of melted vanilla ice cream bars and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 195: David Heyde Part Two -
What’s the deal with guys named Dave?? Every Dave we’ve interviewed on the ole’ AML has a passion for model railroading that almost can’t be described in words and when you think about it, that’s why the Evel Overlord decided to start this podcast. Not only is he one of the most capable French horn players in the world, but our next guest also has limitless enthusiasm for the hobby. This is a great discussion describing how the hobby helps David cope with the day-to-day pressures of a job that requires him to perform his best at all times. Plus, he describes the joys of friendship, some cool new products and how he eventually intends to replace the lawn in front of his home with static grass. Grab a big bowl of shredded musical scores, a tall cool glass of horn spit and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
"Uncle" Dave's Fireside Chats #4 -
Building a model railroad of any size is an ambitious undertaking, it takes plenty of desire, ambition, determination, motivation and enthusiasm to even get close to what would be considered a finished layout. Each one of us has pondered those moments when we might question why we even began such a project, so we here at the ole’ AML headquarters decided there’s only one man who could answer this… Our very own, “Uncle” Dave and of course he was only too happy to talk about it. This is another great “Fireside Chat” covering a wide range of topics with some philosophy thrown in for good measure. Get yourself a bag of Stay-Puft Quality Marshmallows, a tall cool glass of yellow glue, your favorite lawn chair and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
All-Star Variety Hour #42 -
They say variety is the spice of life and we here at the ole’ ModelersLife headquarters feel the same way. In this podcast we get an update from Ron Klaiss of Mine Mount Models and news of his latest kit, McQuirk Coal and included with this kit is a coal conveyer Ron designed and built. If you ask Ron nicely and tell him the crew at the AML Nation sent you, he might just sell the conveyor separately. After the subway chimes, we meet up with Keith Revell who fills us in on the progress of his HO scale Shay locomotive, gives us an update on how his company KR Models continues to grow and how to start a model railroad manufacturing company simply by Googling it. There’s a whole lot of info in this podcast, so don’t get started unless you have a pen and paper handy. Click Here For the Free Download |
|
ViewerMail Flight #93 -
It’s time once again to answer our voluminous ViewerMail with questions from all over the “Nation.” This time we cover everything from the “Queso Cowboy” wondering what he’s done, while reading an email from Lee Flandrich we get confused thinking Kelly’s from Minnesota where all the crotchety curmudgeons lived but discover that in fact Kelly spent a good part of his life in Connecticut fighting fires and hanging out with Paul Newman. There’s talk of an AML meet-up north of the border and discover our Rodger Coleman finds Nick Santo in his basement running hoping for a free dinner. There’s lots more to get excited about in this edition of ViewerMail, so sit down in your favorite lawn chair and grab yourself a big bowl of leftover cookie dough, a tall cool glass of cooking oil and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 194: Steve Tuff -
So, you’re wondering what it’s like when a fully qualified heavy truck mechanic and a world class chef decide to start their own 3D printing company?? Well as luck would have it, we found two such guys and learn their story from the ground up. Steve and Dan are a couple of lifelong model railroaders with an itch to improve the hobby for as many folks as possible. Yelton Models is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with, with such products as the HO Scale replica of AC Tower in Marion, Ohio. There was unfortunately a little bit of ugliness when the Evel Overlord discovered they’d yet to create a website for their wonderful products, but after some negotiations and careful thought it was decide that it would be best for all if one was created post-haste. This is a great episode to be enjoyed well sipping margaritas on the beach in St. Maarten. Enjoy !! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Lorne James -
It’s time once again to check in with our favorite hobby shop in Tillsonburg… My back still aches when I hear this word!! But before we find out what’s new at Otter Valley Railroad the Evel Overlord desperately needs help buying a gift certificate for his friend Cleetus. After several attempts on his own he requested the help Lorne the owner of OVR who finally decided that because the Overlord was an international man of mystery the website became over-whelmed with excitement. We also got the chance to talk more about the fabulous world of model railroad retail and about the exciting new projects OVR has planned for the future. Lorne and his pal Andrew have decided to tip their toe into the world of manufacturing, and we got the low down on their first project. Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded sales receipts, a tall cool glass of warm packaging tape glue and enjoy !! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
All-Star Variety Hour #41 -
What better way to find out what’s happening with your friends than getting them on the ole’ AML podcast?? We haven’t heard from our resident 7 ½” gauge expert Adam for a quite a while and there’s been plenty of changes at Prospector Models with a new 2 ½” scale gondola kit ready to be released and there’s plenty of news about building steam engines. Then of course there’s our little buddy “the Mayor of Hornepayne” with all his adventures as a full-time employee of the Canadian National Railroad. There’s plenty of discussion about being trackside to see our very own “Boy George” at the controls of Train 451. Get comfortable in your favorite chair with a big steaming mug of cocoa, a large bowl of crushed ballast cereal and enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Fans of the AML #50 -
Celebrating fifty of anything is always exciting but to have recorded fifty episodes of the “Fans” is mighty special. The brain trust behind the AML fans page was our very own Chris Atkins as he sat pondering life on the porch of his home in Argyle, Texas… Home of the “Fighting Socks.” Who better to help us celebrate this great occasion than the NMRA president simply known as “Gordy??” That’s right, it’s over ninety minutes of discussion about standards and conformance from the president of the NMRA to help us celebrate fifty episodes of the “Fans.” Get comfortable in the old lazy boy with a hot cup cocoa all snuggled in your favorite PJ’s as you struggle to stay awake and enjoy this great podcast. Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Kelly Questions Round 69: Jim Lincoln -
It’s time for another exciting round of the Kelly Questions and this show’s featured victim…Errr… Guest, is none other than Jim Lincoln, railroad conductor, track laying expert, NASCAR fan… Actually, check that. He’s purchases used trucks, built by well-known NASCAR race teams. Aside from his many other interests Jim, is a lover of all things Disney and even named his model railroad the Carolwood Pacific. A fan of all different aspects of railroading Jim’s love of the hobby easily comes to the fore-front as he’s grilled with question after question and then finally falling asleep at the end of the couch. It’s time to get yourself a big bowl of shredded mouse ears, a tall cool glass of melted amusement park ice and enjoy !! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
TomStock 2020 Update !! -
It’s finally happening, our long AML Nation nightmare is finally coming to an end and TomStock 2020 is literally just weeks away. One of the greatest gatherings in AML history is about to take place with four days of peace, love and little trains !! It’s a jam pack festival with your fellow AMLer’s coming from all over the globe for this special event. Starting with dinner at the Shady Maple restaurant on Wednesday evening, a Budd Car ride on Thursday to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania via the Reading and Northern Railroad, a bus tour on Friday to Strasburg Railway, a hobby shop, Dairy Queen and Ken McCorry’s fabulous Conrail layout. Saturday is the sometimes-annual AML BBQ followed by an evening game of double “A’ baseball with the Reading Fightin’ Phils taking on the Portland Sea Dogs. This is gonna be an AML event to remember, so pack plenty of sunscreen, your favorite AML t-shirt and get ready for the time of your life !! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
Waz' Happenin' with Mike Hauk -
It’s always fun to check back in with some of our guests to see what they’ve been up to and if you ask enough questions, you just never know what you might find out. Have you ever heard of “Operating Sessions.com”, we hadn’t either until Mike explained exactly what it is?? Ever wondered what it’s like to spend months and months planning a convention only to have it wiped out by a world-wide pandemic?? Ever wondered how do give a clinic about static grass?? We did to and found out Mike is one guy who’s always discovering the magic of grass that’s static. What about being a retired doctor?? We have the answers, but more importantly have you ever wondered how to get cab rides when travelling about the country with your buddy?? Grab yourself a big bowl of shredded puff ball tress, a tall cool glass of spray on adhesive to get these answers and more!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife |
|
Episode 193: Lance Mindheim -
Every once in a while, we meet a model railroader that brings more to the table than most and our next guest fits this description perfectly. With three personal layouts, several books, dozens of articles in the model railroad press and a successful private layout construction business, Lance Mindheim is a true asset to the hobby of model railroading. This is a great podcast about one individual’s dedication to a hobby that’s provided him with a lifetime of enjoyment and in recent years a steady source of income. Along with Tom Klimoski and William Sampson, Lance answers our questions, provides plenty of thoughtful commentary, lots to think about and most of all makes his enthusiasm for the hobby well known. Enjoy!! Click Here For the Free Download |
|
"Uncle" Dave's Fireside Chats Volume 3 -
Gather round kids for more exciting tales of model railroading’s wild west as “Uncle” Dave describes all the work that goes into preparing the Onondaga Cutoff for an operating session on Conrail’s, Albany Division. Many locomotive wheels are cleaned, and the track is brought to a gleaming shine to accommodate the dozens of long trains that weave their way around the layout. You’ll never see the same consist twice on the “Cutoff” because this is a railroad that recreates as prototypically as possible running Conrail’s “Chicago Line” around Syracuse, New York. There’s also a great discussion about creating the feel of real railroading by the methodical movement of freight cars around the layout. So curl up in your chair with a hot cup of cocoa and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife Check out Dave's Blog here: https://onondagacutoff.blogspot.com/ |
|
NERPM ('cuse me) is Back !! -
It’s back!! It’s back!! After a long and lonely absence, one of the best RPM meets in the country is alive and well. The New England or Northeast (honestly, it’s been so long they can’t remember the name exactly) Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet has been revitalized and is back for another great gathering with lots of fabulous models on display, dozens of clinics and as always, the best model railroad raffle east of Trout Run, Pennsylvania!! Dave Owens and the crew have found a new hotel in Springfield, Mass., enlisted the help of Amherst show director John Sacerdote and rounded up some of their favorite model railroad vendors. You can pay in advance online, $40 bucks, or $45 bucks at the door and this year there’s a one-day registration for just $25 bucks!! So toss those beautiful models in a box, gas up the Subaru and head on out to the next great NERPM (‘cuse me) meet !! Click Here For the Free Download NERPM on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NERPM |
|
ViewerMail Flight #92 -
Still trying to figure out what to do with that extra two hours you found in the pocket of an old sports jacket?? You were hoping to sell an original version of this podcast, but you threw the box away?? There’s a small, bearded man named Nick in your basement that won’t leave?? Your wife just had a beautiful baby girl while you listened to the latest AML podcast and now you’re googling divorce lawyers. We can’t help you with any of these problems but if you listen long enough, you’ll discover that transparency is rule number one here at the ole’ AML Network but we can’t verify if that’s correct because accuracy has never been a consideration. Grab yourself a big bowl of beard shavings, a tall cool glass of Wahl’s clipper oil and enjoy!! Download This Podcast at: patreon.com/ModelersLife Bubba's Anytime Cafe: https://www.facebook.com/Bubbas-Anytime-117852141607504/ |
