Lets Talk Trains

Skip Waters, Chris Guenzler and Elizabeth Alkire will review the activities and fun had by all during the recent 2019 NRHS Convention help in Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Promontory, Utah.  Plus, Skip and Chris will reflect on "24 Hours at Saginaw" rail-watching event held in Saginaw, Texas over Memorial Day Weekend and finally, Chris and Elizabeth will talk about the recent trips with the steam locomotive 261 and the excursions held this past weekend.  Lots to talk about, so join us and listen in!

Your host is Skip Waters, organizer of the 14th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2019, 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 646-668-8094 . 

  Join us for a special edition of LTT as Skip Waters and Chris Guenzler review the trips and events from the 2018 NRHS Annual Convention held in Cumberland, MD.  Trips were taken in three states of Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. Hear about each event our hosts were part of and relive the events that took place. Please listen to Chris Guenzler's show about the 2018 NRHS Conveniton review with the link below... http://www.blogtalkradio.com/chrisguenzler/2018/09/16/the-nrhs-convention-2019-cumberland-maryland  

Join us for a special edition of LTT as Skip Waters and Chris Guenzler review the trips and events from the 2017 NRHS Annual Convention held in Nashville, Tenneesee.  Trips were taken in three states of Georgia, Kentucky and Tennesee.  Hear about each event our hosts were part of and relive the events that took place.

Your host is Skip Waters, organizer of the 13th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2018, 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

Please join us, as special guest Bob Alkire joins us to discuss the fatal events which took place near DuPont, Washington, in December 2017. Bob will discuss the history of the line, the right-of-way involved in the recent incident and its inaugural run that never reached its final destination. We also talk about facts that have come to light in the past month, including the lack of PTC and how the incident occurred during it inaugural run.  We will also discuss our thoughts of what will change or be modified in the future of passenger rail in the country.

After a year of being off the air, and many listeners asking, the Let's Talk Trains Show is back! What better way, than to be at the SilverRails Model Trains Show, held in LaPlata, Missouri, on October 21st.  First, we will talk about the new format of the show, and our newest sponsor of the show VirtualRailfan.com. Then we will have the President of the APRHF, Bob Cox, join us to talk about the happening around the APRHF, including updates on the Lookout Point Park, TrainParty, APRHFStore, and being able to help the APRHF via Amazon Smile at no extra cost to you. Sit back, and enjoy our show!

Your host is Skip Waters, organizer of the 12th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2017, a 24 hour railwatching event sponsored by the North Texas Chapter, NRHS.  Join us with 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.  A Hot Spot to watch Trains in North 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.  It's Time to Watch Trains!

Chris Guenzler talks about his 2016 train trips plus other events he has done. He won't talk at his 2016 NRHS trip which he already covered on another show.

He will tell you all about his trip

Bob continues his series on preservation with Scott Lothes, the Executive Director of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art.  Scott will talk about the Center and its history, the annual Converstions weekend, the Center's collection of photographs, photo preservation in general and how the Center preserves and details the information on their collections.

Your host is Skip Waters, organizer of the 11th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2016, a 24 hour railwatching event sponsored by the North Texas Chapter, NRHS.  Join us with 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.  A Hot Spot to watch Trains in North 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.  It's Time to Watch Trains!

T J Gaffney has worked on several preservation projects in the Port Huron, Michigan area.  He joins Bob Alkire for a live broadcast for a conversation about historic preservation, his company Streamline Historic Services and his job at Conrail.  Join us a t 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern at 646-716-7106.

This month's On The Road episode, we head west of our headquarters state of Missouri to Kansas. down the Kansas Turnpike and over lots abandon raibeds to the town of Wichita.  Wichita, Kansas used to be a center of rai for the plains, with all the cattle drives ending Wichita. Now freighttrains still rumble through but most don't stop. Passenger Servive ended years ago, a some folksare trying to restart service. The town still has it's Union Station, is semi good repair, with developers tryng to bring new life into it. Wichita is home to one of the world's biggest builder's of locomotives. Chance Rides makes a replic steam engines for lots of zoo and amusement parks. For the model train lovers, the town's Floral gardens, Botanica, the Wichita Gardems, has a beautiful railroad garden where we will be set up for this episode. Make sure you join us for this what should be interesting show.    

Fred Frailey is a columnist, Feature Writer and blogger for Trains Magazine for which he has written for 37 years. Fred has spent a lifetime as a newspaper and magazine writer and editor; and will soon be divididng his time with his wife Cathie between the Colorado Rockies and an island off the Atlantic Coast of Georgia.

The APRHF's Let's Talk Trains program travels to Rosenberg, Texas to be part of the Rosenberg Railroad Museum's 2016 RailFest. Join us as we find out about Rosenberg and it's Railroad Museum. We learn about the history of the town and the railroad that runs through it. This will be a LIVE episode So listeners can call in and give their stories about Rosenberg and ask questions. Join us for an interesting program.

Bob and Elizabeth host this week as they talk about their visit to Winterail.  After 38 years in Stockton, Winterail has moved to Corvallis, OR.  It promises to be an interesting weekend as we head to Portland to ride Tri-Met's Westside Express, photograph stations on the way to Corvallis, attend the Friday night Pizza party and Slide Show, spend Saturday attending the various Winterail programs and swap meet  and finish the weekend riding behind McCloud River 25 on the Oregon Coast Scenic on Sunday.

Allan "Al" Harper returns to Let's Talk Trains to recap the American Heritage Railways and Rail Events happenings as ShuttletrainTED takes a trip on the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. Al makes three big annoucements and then we talk to Bryson City, NC mayor and Swain County Chamber of Commerce.  The Executive Director of the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad and the On Board Conductor visit to bring us up to date on the 2016 

This episode of the APRHF's Let's Talk Trains Show, Kansas City Nathan is at the helm with special guests, Robert & Kandace Tabern, of the APRHF Rail Rangers, who have a VERY EXCITING announcement for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of railroad excursion history.  With the APRHF Rail Rangers in full swing, in 2016, Robert & Kandace Tabern will be announcing the events and historic excursions around the Midwestern United States---be sure to listen to these upcoming events, as well as one BIG opportunity to be part of history! During the second half of the show, we will have Brian Klein of the Kaw Valley Junction Railroad Association talking about the different aspects of model railroading, looking back at where the hobby has been and where it is heading.

On this episode of APRHF's Let's Talk Trains, we visit with Doug Alexander, whom was selected to ride last month's Amtrak's Inspection Train from New Orleans, Louisiana to Jacksonville, Florida. We started out by asking him describe his passion for trains and passenger railroading. Then we asked about heavy passenger rail in his area of the country. We then moved on to have him revisit his trip on board the inspection train. A litte background... Doug Alexander is a fourth-generation native of Atlanta, Georgia where he grew up and still lives with his family. Doug has been an active proponent of rail transportation literally since childhood. His first effort, at age six, was to design a tram system for his summer day camp. The bulk of Alexander’s career has been spent in marketing and market communications, though he spent six years as Rail Program Manager for the nowdefunct Georgia Rail Passenger Authority, and five years in various positions at the Georgia Department of Transportation. Alexander also served eight years as a city-wide elected member of the Atlanta City Council, from 1994 until 2002. He was vice-chairman of the Council’s Transportation Committee and served on Georgia Municipal Association’s Transportation & Community Development Committee, ultimately chairing that committee for two years.Alexander earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Boston University with additional studies in journalism at the Univ. of Georgia and architecture at Harvard University. His hobbies include sailing, model railroading and photography. He lives in Atlanta with his wife, Anne, and their sons, Wilson and Julian and their dog, a beaglebasset mix named Rainey

Ever been to a botanical garden and seen their trains running around a layout? Christmastime many, more public gardens, department stores have found a way to bring visitors into their facilities. TRAINS. THe company, Applied Imagination has filled that niche for many of them.On this edition of Let's Talk Trains we will interview spme of the most creative people I know. Jion us for a LIVE show.

Bob Cox, president of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation will discuss several aspects of the organization including such topics as history, purpose, programs, achievements and future plans.

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. 

Just like "24 Hours @ Saginaw" we are attending "12 Hours @ Temple" for NATIONAL TRAIN DAY!  A 12 hour extravaganza railwatching event to be held in Temple, Texas on the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum grounds.  It's also the Amtrak Station.  There is a lot planned when attending this event, Let's Talk Trains plans to share as much as we can for the short 2 hours we are there.  Listen in or better yet, come join us for some real rail fun!  And don't forget to call in and tell us what you are doing on NATIONAL TRAIN DAY 2015!  Your host for this event is Skip Waters.

This week, on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's "The Let's Talk Trains Show," Kansas City Nathan travels two-hours east to the Missouri State Fairgrounds, in Sedalia, Missouri, for the Trails End event (www.thetrailsend.org). The event celebrates the men who drove cattle from Texas to the closest railhead towards Chicago. The fairgrounds are built right along the former M-K-T route, which is now the KATY Trail State Park. One of the major events going on at the fairgrounds is the Trails End Model Train Show & Collectible Show, which is being ran by members of the APRHF.  Be sure to join us!

A few weeks ago, the APRHF's Let's Talk Trains podcast put out a call for people passionate about trains and what they mean for the world to join our team. This week, ShuttletrainTED introduces us to one of our new hosts. Her name is Hayley Enoch. She is from the big state of Texas. Hayley has shown that passion especially the steam era. She has a very well read blog called Friends of the Flange, that attracted over 32,000 page views over the last three years. That blog is how we found her. Her followers continued to ask us to learn more about her and have her join us. As a result of that lobbying, we are excited to have Hayley onboard. She will be doing some every interesting and topical shows in the upcoming months, including covering the first public excursion of 611, since it's rebuild in Spencer, North Carolina.

This week on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show, Kansas City Nathan and co-host APRHF President Bob Cox, will be discussing the world of railroading communications via signaling. Joining us this week, as our Featured Guest, will be Lindsey Fowlers, who worked for the ICG in the Signal Department in Illionis & parts of Missouri.  Join us, as we talk about the history of signaling, why different versions of signalling throughout the country, and so on.

This edition of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains Podcast we talk to a Railroader that has retired and is now one of the biggest railfans in Chicago, John Green of Greenrail1 productions on YouTube has worked for the American Association of Railroads (twice), the Union Pacific, Wisconsin Central and retired from Canadian National as a Senior Manager. John will talk about his experiences in the wide variety of positions he has held. After moving on down the line, John will entertain us with a few of his railfan stories. The Mid-Missouri Railfan Facebook group invited the APRHF's Let''s Talk Trains to it's first ever meet-up in Morrison, Missouri along the Union Pacifc's Jefferson City Sub. A double tracksubdivision in East Central Missouri. Coal trains, Intermodal, Grain Trains pass by. We will meet a few and find out what they like best about railfanning. Join us for a very topical program.   Join Us

This week, in advance of our visit to the Show-Me Central NMRA Covention in June, we visit with Brad Slone who describes what makes the Convention so interesting, and how the model railroading hobby is growing in the midwest.  During the second hour of the program, we visit with a railfan who's passion for railroads and it's place in United States history, decided to become a railroader. Scott Nauert is continuing the time honored tradition that railroaders of days gone by, have lived by for so many years.Scott has documeted several branch lines abandonments  Mr. Nauert is currently an engineer with a short line serving a Mississipi River Port. He still finds time to railfan and take some great pictures. railroader that encourages future railroaders. 

This week, on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show, we welcome a man who has worked railroad industry for many years--working several years for a freight railroad and another 25-years as an Amtrak Conductor. Kansas City Nathan will welcome Wes Archibald to the show, to discuss the good, the bad, the happy, the sad, the beautiful, and the ugly of railroad life. We will open up the phone lines to discuss the different aspects of working for the railroad---figuring out truth from fiction. Wes & KC Nathan will talk about some of the folks that have been in the forefront of national news, from greatness to tragedy. During the show, we will remember our friend---our "Official Caller" Ken Ruben, who passed away the morning of Thursday, March 12th.  Join us, this Saturday, March 14th at 12-noon Central/10am Pacific. Call in during the live show (@ 646-716-7106), join us in the chatroom, on Facebook and Twitter.

The youngest engineer to ever operate an Amtrak train over Donner Pass visits the American Passenger Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains program. Jonathan Dockins and his mom Dee Dee, stop by to talk about their adventure and how it all came to be, They will lead us through the trip of a lifetime. We will also find out what has happened since coming back home to the Jackson, Missouri area. Join us by calling in and asking questions to Engineer Dockins at 646-716-7106. 

This time on the APRHF's Let's Talk Trains Show we will take a look at Model Train Shows.  We will ask you, the listeners, what makes a great train show? What makes a bad one? Does having a swap meet at the show, make the show feet cheap? Why are there not more manufacturers's coming to the shows Should model train shows be produced by for-profit companies instead of the local clubs or historical associations? Should there be more regional cooperation between organizations? Should we just have swap meets and then do a show with just model trains? Should we let attendees operate displays?  Call in at 646-716-7106 and give your views.

This week, on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show, we will be talking about railroad preservation. George Li will be joining us to talk about preserving the Northern Pacific Railroad's Cheney, Wash. depot, with the "Save Our Station - Cheney Depot" project that is getting local and national attention. Later, we will have Michael Shymanski, President of the Historic Pullman Foundation, join us to tell us about the great honor to have the President of the United States present to establish the Pullman Historic District as part of the National Park System. Be sure to join us!!!

The APRHF's Let's Talk Trains turns it's focus from Illinois to Indiana this week. Indiana Rail Road President/CEO Thomas Hoback recently announced his upcoming retirement. We will visit with him to get his story along with his railroad's story. We will find out how the Indiana Railroad came to be and what it has become. Join us live or in the archives. Join in the conversation at 646-716-7106 or in the chatroom.

This week, on the APRHF's Let's Talk Trains Show, we welcome the Executive Director of Missouri Operation Lifesaver, Rick Mooney. With all the press about Bravo Network's "Work Out" star, Greg Plitt---who was killed while trespassing on the right-of-way, shooting a commercial for an energy drink---and the recent influx of trespassing injuries and deaths in the media, such as when professional photographers take unsuspecting clients to get Senior Photos or modeling photo shoots. This brings to mind what WE all can do to educate the public on how dangerous the tracks are. We will discuss ways that we---as railfans/model railroaders/rail-buffs---can help spread the word on railroad safety and ways to help end these tragic events, for all those who are involved. To lighten up the mood, during the Second Half of the show, APRHF President Bob Cox and Kansas City Nathan discuss modeling Amtrak passenger trains throughout the years. Bob & KC Nathan will talk about the different ways to model the American passenger rail service, from it's very beginnings to the present day. Since Bob is the station caretaker at the LaPlata, Mo. Amtrak Station, who else would be better than to talk about this!?! Be sure to join us, on Facebook, Twitter, and as always the chatroom on LetsTalkTrains.com.

Terry Respondek describes how he built his Shortline Railroads from one engine. Terry also details why he decided to become a railroad executive. Call in and ask him questions. The call in number is 646-716-7106.

This episode of The APRHF Let's Talk Trains, features railroader Dale Jenkins. Mr. Jenkins stops by fills us in on the various positions he has held with several railroads. He has been called out of retirement to serve the railroads again. Mr. Jenkins has held such titles as leverman, operator, Sunday ticket agent, train order agent, corn field agent, Special Agent, On Board Services Director, General Superintendent. He also has time to co-found the Illinois Traction Society,Volunteer and Board member of the Monticello Railway Museum. He is also the author of the Illinois Terminal Railroad history It will be an interesting episode, be sure and join us in the chatroom, on Facebook, or on Twitter.