Lets Talk Trains

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.