Lets Talk Trains

Mitch Markovitz was Bob and Elizabeth's guest in 2010 when we had a series on railroad artists.  Now Mitch joins us again to talk about his railroad career which included working for the Chicago and North Western, Milwaukee Road and South Shore Line. Please join us at 10:00 AM Pacific / 1:00 PM Eastern at (646) 716-7106, on the web at http://www.letstalktrains.com or in the chat room at http://www.letstalktrains.com/chat.

  This week, the Amazing Chris Guenzler will give a recap of the Alaska NRHS 2013 Convention, which was held in Fairbanks, Alaska, September 14th through September 17th, and Anchorage, Alaska, September 18th through September 22nd. Chris and Elizabeth Alkire will talk about their experiences of the convention in the 50th and largest State in the United States. All of the trips we did at this unique convention and what it was like to be car hosting at this event. Listen to this show about trains trips in our 50th State.      

The Arborway, T.T. & Northwestern Railroad near Steelville, Mo., is one of the largest private miniature railroads in North America. The ATT&NW is considered a "Grand Scale" railroad. The rails are spaced 15" apart, and everything is about a third actual size, but the technology and engineering are the same as "real" railroads. The freight cars, all equipped with air brakes and hand brakes just like their full-size prototype, can each weigh as much as a big motorcycle or a small car, and the railroad's largest locomotive weighs about ten tons. As a result, operations are undertaken under the guidance of railroad rulebooks with "Safety First" as the theme of all activity. The "crown jewel" of the ATT&NW is steam locomotive #801, a 4-8-4 "Northern" class locomotive. The ATT&NW has about 5 miles of track on the ground; the main line run is around 3- 5/8 miles long, most of it on a 2% up or down grade. The railroad features a spectacular single- and double-track main line graded to actual railroad specifications, two tunnels, one wood bridge. We will visit the vision of the late St

The unofficial end of summer and the schools are back in session., that means only one thing. It's time for the quarterly update. That's right,  this week's show we will catch up with some past guests on that has happened since we lasst talkt to them. Join us and find the who, what and where......BIg Hint: one of the guest will be from AMTRAK.  Don't forget that the Let's Talk Trains program will planning shows soon for next season, so head over to our facebook page and send us your suggestions, We had some great ones this past season.  

Join the Amazing Chris Guenzler as he interviews Steve Barry Editior of Railfan Magazine this week. We will also if all goes right will have Bart Jennings for a brief update as he is already in Alaska for the NRHS Convention. We will learn how Steve got his start in railroading, how he got envolved with Railfan Magazine and all the other things he does like night photo sessions and the like. Steve is an excellent rail photographer. Join us for another very educational show

Skip Waters is in Northwest Arkansas this week chasing Alcos on the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad and will broadcast the "Lets Talk Trains" show from the depot in Van Buren, Arkansas. Hear how the chase is going along with the latest on news when A&M Railroad expects to receive new SD70ACes.  We will also hear from Brenda Rouse, A&M Pasenger Train Operations Manager and what riding the A&M Railroad experience is all about.  Other guests include Gerald Hook of Russellville, Arkansas who will share some Arkansas Rail History and we hope to hear from a member of the Fort Smith Tolley Museum as well.  A pack show is line up for you to hear this week... please join us!

This week, the Let's Talk Trains program will turn their attention to what Railfans do when the end of summer comes and children go back to school and vacations end. The regional roundup reporters will be there as well. 

This week the Let's Talk Trains Show arrives in Topeka, Kansas to take part in their Railroad Festival. The Let's Talk Trains crew will be broadcasting live from the festival. We will hear about Topeka railroading then and now. We find out how Topeka was put on the map by the railroads. How the railroads help the town today. Find out about the Great Overland Station and it's Railroad Festival. 

This week we will be talking about a number of different aspects of railroading, as Kansas City Nathan hosts.    The first hour we will be catching up with our regular callers during our Regional Roundup. Next, we will welcome back to the show committee members of Fire Up 611!, to share with you their progress on the Norfolk & Western #611---which was announced on June 28th, 2013. Watch the video of the press conference. Preston Claytor, Chairman of the Fire Up 611! Committee, and Scott Lindsey, Committee Member and owner of Steam Operations will be talking about the current status of the project and projected milestones.   During the second half of the show, we will welcome back Jeff Rose to continue our conversation about modeling techniques and theories.   Be sure to join us in the conversation!   ALL ABOARD!!!

The Amazing Chris Guenzler talks about his trips he has taken during the last month and he will tell you about them.

The Amazing Chris Guenzler talks about his trips he has taken from  7/16/2013 to 7/28/2013. Chris took Surfliner 583 to LA then the Southwest Chief to Chicago. Coach on the Capitol Limted to Connesville where Dave Smetko met me. We did the doodlebug on the Wilmington & Western Railroad. The next day we did two Iron Heritage Festival Trips then did the Friday night Black River & Western Railroad Caboose Hops Ringoes to Three Bridges. The next day we did the Steam into History {Not} aboard the Northern Central Railroad after that we did Williams Grove Historical Steam Engine Association with Pennsylvania Railroad 0-6-0 653. We then did the drive back to Chicago and the Monon Connection Museum and then back to Daves House. The next day I did the La Plata via West Quincy trip. I finally rode into West Quincy. I then went to Depot Inn & Suites for a rest. Then he took the Southwest Chief home. Bart Jennings called with an update on the Alaska Convention 2013.

Join ShuttletrainTed and Mrs. Shuttletrain as they take part in the Grand Opening of the Village of Park Forest Rail Park.The village of Park Forest will officially unveil its latest park, and what village officials are hoping will be a national tourist destination, the Park Forest Rail Fan Park, on Saturday, July 27. The park, just across from one of Park Forest’s Metra lots is the site of one of the country’s largest rail intersections, where the north/south Canadian National main line intersects the east/west rail arc formerly owned by the EJ&E Railway. Upon purchasing the 198 mile EJ&E rail arc, CN constructed the necessary track for rail interconnection. Visitors of the new park can view the train action from a 35 foot-high platform overlooking the rail tracks and intersection. Park Forest officials as well as Canadian National representatives will take part in the taping of the show. Representatives from the regional Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Chicago Southland Chamber of Commerce will also be on ha will take part in the taping of the show. 

Join us as we find out what made a group on railfans gather toegether and then have the City of Folkston build a railwatching platform and welcomes railfans with open arms. we will also have our regular round-up reports.  The show contains pre-recorded segments. 

This week, Kansas City Nathan hosts, as we continue our series which we will discuss the different aspects of model railroading, from figuring out what scale is best for you, to deciding if you will have a prototypical operation or a freelanced layout. This week, we welcome model railroader, Jeff Rose, to the show, as we discuss different topics of model railroading---including, fixing those "plywood highway layouts;" theories of creating scenery; and "probable prototype." We will be opening the lines to you, the listener, to give your opinion and pose questions for our Special Guests. We will be also catching up with our Regional Roundup around the U.S. and North America.

This week the Amazing Chris Guenzler will be back and talk with Bart Jennings Segment 2. He will be joined by our regular callers segment one then will talk about a few recent trips and explain Guest Rewards to you.