Lets Talk Trains

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. 

This is the Amazing Chris Guenzler final LTT Show that he will host. What railfan trips are you planning in 2015? Call in this week and let everyone know where your headed, what are you planning on doing while your there? Will you be riding, photographing or just watching?  Do you plan to go to Steamtown?  Strasburg? Sandpatch?  Horseshoe Curve?  Cajon Pass?  Winterail?  Summerail? the 2015 NRHS Convention?  How about the 2015 La Plata Railfan event? Any others?  Do you work with a railroad museum?  Do you ride tourist trains?  Be sure and call in to 646-716-7106, or post your plans to our Facebook or Twitter pages. The Amazing Chris Guenzler will be hosting this week's episode, so call in and let Chris know what your itinerary is. 

Join all of our LTT Hosts, as we remember the Twelveth Season of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's "The Let's Talk Trains Show."  The Hosts will tell which programs stood out for each of them, this year, and what each host has planned for 2015. Listeners can also comment on their favorite show(s) as well, by going to our Facebook Page or Twitter Page and letting us know. We will read some of those comments on the air.  Be sure and tune in this week!

On this edition of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains, we will discuss the role model trains play at Christmas. Model Trains have been a part of Christmas as long most of us can remember. From going to the local department store window to the President's park, Model trains can be found in lots of places. Please join us as we wander around the country with Christmas trains.

This edition of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation Let's Talk Trains we discover what a modern day Pullman does, why they do it. We find out about the perks and the challenges of being a modern day Pullman.  Join us in the chat room at: www.letstalktrains.com. 

The Amazing Chris Guenzler will be Interviewing Elizabeth Alkire during this weeks show. We will learn how she got into trains, all the things she has done and many more. We will learn about here city pin collections and how train trips come into that, We will learn what steam engines she has ridden behind  and some of the unique things she has done. It will be a very entraining show and we should have some very good laughs as the Amazing Chris Guenzler interviews one of our favorite hosts of the Lets Talk Trains show. Join us for a very interesting show.

On this editon of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains will digest some leftovers. So in otherwords, we will talk a whole range of guests. APRHF's Trails To Rails, Santa train from Laplata, Missouri, The difference between Amtrak and VIA, The Great Dome, but wait, even more...Model Railroad Building Bulders,Hobby Store Owners, New Passenger Rail Creation in Memphis. Be sure to join us in our new chatroom at www.letstalktrains.com in the lower right.

Model Railroading has been a popular hobby for many decades. This week, Kansas City Nathan, a model railroader himself, will be discussing the Model Railroading in the 21st Century. Long gone are the cracker-jack boxcars or half-hearted attempts to create quality locomotives and other rolling stock. Today, we have highly detailed models that are ready-to-run and highly detailed, to the point that rivet-counters are drooling! A newcomer to the hobby is 3D printing. This and much more will be discussed, we invite you to join in the conversation by calling 646-716-7106.

Since the movie Polar Express, Christams trains modeled on the Polar Express have become almost as big as Thomas for museum fund raising efforts. Not just museums, but shortline railroads and even some Class I's have joined the effort.  Bob and Elizabeth will talk about many of these activities on Saturday's show.  In addition to talking about many of these trains, we'd like to hear about what is taking place in various parts of the country.  Please call us with your activities at 646-716-7106 or join us on the web at www.letstalktrains.com.  The show starts at 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern.

This week, Chris talks about reaching his 1,400,000.0 rail-mile, why it took so long, and what he will be up to next.  We will have some guests on join us and Chris will relive his past trips with you. We will talk about the Chris' trips in the United States, Mexico and Canada, as well as tourist trains and along with rare-mileage trips. He will tell you all about what he has done since we last shared with you on this show. Join us for a very interesting show this week. You can listen live  or in the archieves.