Lets Talk Trains

During our recent visit to Milwaukee for Trainfest, (see previous episodes). We discovered about a half hour north, of the Trainfest location of the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds. The Shady Lane Greenhouse has very Two very nice G-Scale train layouts. We visited with the owner and creator of the layouts. He takes us on a tour around the layout. For more about the layouts go to: http://www.shadylanegreenhouse.com/train-exhibit/train-videos/ For the address and phone number: http://www.shadylanegreenhouse.com/  

The APRHF Let's Talk Trains Show will be attending the America's Largest Operational Model Train Show: TrainFest. We will be broadcast LIVE from Noon to 2 p.m. from the exhibition floor. We will talk to show director and several exhibitors. We will have a jammed packed two hour show. You can call in and ask quetions of our guests at 646.716.7106

The APRHF Let's Talk Trains Show will be attending the America's Largest Operational Model Train Show:TrainFest. We will be broadcasting LIVE from Noon to 2 p.m.from the exhibition floor. We wil get to talk to the show director and several  exhibitors. We will have a jammed packed two hour show. You can call in and ask quetions of our guests at 646.716.7106

From his South Saint Louis County home on the bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River and the railroad that runs along it. We check in with Ken Patterson. Ken is world famous for his modeling scenery skills and his photograpghy. His pictures have graced several magizine covers, and inside catalogs. Ken has a way of photograpghy that make observers wonder if it is a real live scene or just one that he created.  Ken has been around model trains most of his life. He discovered that there was money to be made in the hobby and he took off looking into developing a career. Hear what makes Ken tick, this time on APRHF's Let's Talk Trains.

During our Mississippi swing, we stopped off and discovered that the Vicksburg National Military Park had a railroad running through it, and has since before the war.  So I asked the National Park staff if we could do a follow up inerview. What I learned was amazing, just as the spot in the park that overlooked the railroad. Join us for this week's program.

On this episode, we head south for our annual Mississippi visit. This time, we pull into McComb, Mississippi. The town of McComb is home to the McComb Railroad Museum. The town owes it's beginnings to the railroads, as do many of Mississippi towns. The McComb Railroad Museum is housed in the current Amtrak Station and has a vast collection of railroad artifacts and some rolling stock. We visit with McComb's vice-mayor, about what the railroad and the railroad museum currently means to the area. We will also find out how he personally supports the museum. Then we visit with the museum's director, Winnie Howell. Ms. Howell will educate us on why she decided to save the depot and the town's railroad history. Several of the museum's volunteers will stop by to tell us what resoration projects they are working on.  Amtrak's Area Station Manager will closeout the episode to talk the role Amtrak plays in the town.   Join us for a information packed show. 

If you have ever traveled through the Springfield, Illinois area recently, you probably missed a great little railroad museum, just south of Springfield. The town of Chatham, Illinois has preserved their Chicago and Alton depot. The depot sits next to the Amtrak/UP line that runs from Chicago to St. Louis. The line is getting an upgrade to 110 mph for the higher speed program.  The museum is a great example of what can be done, when like minded people come together and preserve history.  

Let's Talk Trains visits Monticellp Railroad Museum. Learn about the history, the future and the current restorations going on. 

We recently asked a St. Louis Fire Department Captain to come to the Route 66 Railfan Center in Pacific, Missouri and give us some insight in how they prepare and deal with problems along the rails. Fire Captain Ali Shahriary. Ali is also very interested in trains. Ali got started in model trains at a young age. He now models N-Scale. Ali is a Captain of a Engine Company in Northwest St. Louis City.  The Fire Chief of St. Louis has expressed his concerns about the railroads not fully cooperating with the department about tar sand shipments, but, they have  been great training firefighters about hazardous loads.

On this episode of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show, Kansas City Nathan is on the road, at the Spring Creak Model Trains Show, which took place in Deshler, Neb., over the 4th of July holiday. We will be talking to different clubs, as well as a few guys who do "Proto Freelance Model Railroading" and what it actually is...  Also, we have the President of the APRHF, Bob Cox, the Rail Rangers Executive Director & Chicago Coordinator, Robert Tabern, and Assistant Chicago Coordinator, Kandace Tabern---who will be talking about the newest APRHF project: Rail Rangers.

On this episode of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's "The Let's Talk Trains Show," we visit with the editor of the White River Production's Passenger Train Journal, Mike Schafer. Mike is a well known railroad photographer, travelled all over the U.S. and Canada. Mike has written books about railroads and the people that work with railroad.  Mike starts off with a recap of his railroad passion, We discuss different Amtrak/Via passenger routes. Mike describes how an issue comes together.  Join us for this prerecorded program.

The Amazing Chris Guenzler returns to talk about the 2015 NRHS Rutland Convention Trip. Learn about everything he did before, during and after that event. Chris will tell you about Tourist Trains he rode, Trolley Museums he visited,  finishing up the Amtrak system again, getting to La Plata and the trip home all by rail. Many surpises were had and will be shared with you on this unique show. The Amazing Chris Guenzler returns to give you this special 90 minute show. Join us for the fun!

This week, on a very special edition of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show, a lot of railfans will be traveling towards Roanoke, Va. as Norfolk & Western No. 611 steams back to her birthplace. During the show, KC Nathan will be on the train--with 611 leading the way--as Skip Waters will be at the controls to make sure that we don't have any major issues. Be sure to check in either late Sunday, or Monday, as KC Nathan will have a recap show, including additional interviews from the event.

Your host is Skip Waters, organizer of the 10th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2015, a 24 hour railwatching event sponsored by the North Texas Chapter, NRHS.  Joining us will be local guests attending "24 Hours @ Saginaw" as we share the fun and exciting activities happening at the Saginaw Chamber of Commerce depot in Saginaw, Texas.  Lots to hear and talk about.  Join us and our regular callers at 10:00 AM Pacific, 12:00 Noon Central Time. The call in telephone number is 646-716-7106

On this week's program, we will take a look at how our nation's railroad's are viewed by the media, legislators and the unions. With the recent tragic crash outside Philadelphia, PA and reports that followed, we will talk with some people that deal with those areas, and how they interpret what is happening and what should be happening.