Lets Talk Trains

The Amazing Chris Guenzler tells you about Eastern Amtrak Routes in this weeks show. We will focused on those routes in the Eastern United States on all routes that Amtrak operates. Learn from him what can be found along these routes and learn all about them. Chris will share his experiences on each route plus what kind of equipment is operated on each of them. Join us for an interesting show about what Amtrak is like in the eastern United States..

The American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains travels to the University of Missouri-Saint Louis to visit the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library. Established in 1984 as a special collection of the St. Louis Mercantile Library, the John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library stands today as one of North America’s largest and finest railroad history collections.  Named after the noted twentieth century railroad executive, John W. Barriger, III (1899-1976), whose collection forms its heart, the Library has grown to become a major resource for the history of railroad business and technology as well as for the study of railroading’s multidimensional influence on the American economy, society and culture.  Join us as we tour one the world's greatest transportation libraries.

The 25th Louisiana Railroad Festival in DeQuincy, Louisiana host this week's American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains program.  The City of DeQuincy which observed the centennial of its incorporation in 2003, owes its existence to the railroads. The original townsite was laid out in 1896 and 1897 when the main line of the Kansas City Pittsburgh and Gulf Railroad reached here. Over the years the railroad -- the Kansas City Southern and Union Pacific Railroads -- have provided employment for several generations of DeQuincy residents and have been a mainstay of the local economy. Before the coming of the Interstate system and better roads, DeQuincy was the hub for railroad travel, with several east-west and north-south passenger trains coming through each day. The passenger trains are gone now, but the city is still important in the railroad freight industry and continues to be a “railroad town.” We invite everyone to come and help us celebrate our heritage and traditions as a railroad town; visit our beautiful Railroad Museum which was built in 1923 as the Kansas City Southern Depot, and which is recognized as one of the most attractive restored depots in the nation. Join us live in person or live in the chatroom or by calling in to the show at 646-716-7106.

Today we are live in Grapevine, Texas on the Grapevine Vintage Railroad learning about Day Out With Thomas and how the Museum of the American Railroad puts on this annual family fun event for North Texas.  Join us! For 68 years, children have been captivated by the courageous adventures of Thomas and his engine friends.  Pulling out of the station for its 19th consecutive ride on the rails, the Day Out With Thomas: The Thrill of the Ride Tour 2014 will visit more than 45 cities in the United States and Canada. Day Out With Thomas is the only place for families to take a ride with a 15-ton replica of everybody’s favorite #1 engine, Thomas the Tank Engine, and enjoy Thomas-themed activities at the Imagination Station, including stamps, temporary tattoos and hands-on arts and crafts.  Each year the tour grows, traveling to new destinations, adding new activities and welcoming new visitors.   Day Out with Thomas is a collaboration between the Museum of the American Railroad of Frisco, Texas and the Grapevine Vintage Railroad in Historic Downtown Grapevine, Texas.  Proceeds from the event go toward historic rail preservation.  The event introduces a new generation of children to rail travel and the importance of rail preservation. On the show today, we will speak to the several guests who have volunteered, planned and put on the Day Out With Thomas event for the Museum of the American Railroad and hear from some of the attendees as well... so stay tuned, there's lots to learn about the #1 Blue Engine and his friends!  And we will take your calls too!

On this edition of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains we will get into detail about the up and coming events that our listeners can participate in. be sure and listen in.

Now retired Union Pacific Railroader Gary Moreau will fill us in on what being a railroader is about. Gary recently retired from UP as a MOW Supervisor. Gary has worked pretty much all over the UP system, and even at a few of the merger railroads. Join us for an interesting conversation. Gary will also be answering questions from our listeners who call into the call-in line at 646-716-7106.

Last year, the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains talked with the Gateway Garden Railroad Club and during that episode, talked with members about plant selection and ground cover for a garden railroad. After many listeners expressed an interest and suggested we do a whole show about choosing the right landscaping and plants. We listened and lined up several garden experts from different parts of the country including Edward Assaf from the Long Island Garden Railway Society,; Mike Kdiman, Kidman Tree Farm and Reindeer Pass Railway Supply; Rae Ann Banks, a member of the Denver Garden Railway Society; Nancy Norris, the Bay Area Railroad Society Outreach Director and contributing editor to Garden Railroad Magazine; and Jane Clarke, the Gateway Garden Railroad Club's Landscape Gardener  to have a round table discussion and take your calls. Tell your friends and join in the discussion.  

Bob and Elizabeth host this week's show recounting their visit to the Arizona Railway Museum in Chandler.  Bob is a founding member of the Museum and he and his guests will be talking about the Museum's history from its inception to the present day.  One of the highlights of the celebration was a visit by the Amtrak Exhibit Train.

The Amazing Chris Guenzler talks about what is along western Amtrak Routes. He will tell you what to see as he covers most of the Amtrak system out west. He will tell you all about each route out west. You will learn just what is out there along these unique western Amtrak routes.  Learn from Chris as he gives his unique insights into each of these Amtrak western routes. He will share the beauty along each of them with you. Join us for this interesting show.

Join us as we talk about Streetcars and their comeback. We will talk with Cincinnati officials and then head to the midwest, and visit with Kansas City officials. Join in the conversation at 646-716-7106.

Allen C. Harper will be this week's guest on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains program. Mr. Harper is the president of the American Heriitage Railways. The American Heritage Railways is the company that owns and operates the Durango & Silverton Railroad along with the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad. The AHR also is the owner of Rail Events Inc., they are in the business of coordinating licensed special events, event coordination, event promotions, merchandise and related activities to railroad operators throughout the United States and Canada. Such as The Polar Express.

  Join us to learn about NRHS RailCamp 2014 with host Skip Waters. The National Railway Historical Society each summer sponsors RailCamp, a venue that gives hands-on contemporary railroading and railroad preservation experience to high school students, allowing them to interact directly with rail employees, learn what it takes to be a railroader, and explore career opportunities. RailCamp 2014 will be held in two locations, on the East Coast and West Coast. Among this year’s rail industry partners include Amtrak, short line Tacoma Rail, and the Strasburg Rail Road. RailCamp East will be held July 6-11, 2014, and be based in Newark, Del., with some activities in Strasburg, Pa. RailCamp Northwest will take place July 27-Aug. 2, 2014, in Tacoma, Wash.  Two exciting camps with lots of activities planned.  Hear all about them and how to apply to attend.  Joining Skip will be Bud Thompson and Bill Chapman with NRHS to discuss how to particapate in RailCamp 2014.  A few past RailCampers will join us too to share how much fun they had and what they learned.   Also, learn how to apply for scholarships to pay for RailCamp and maybe even your travel expenses.  You don't want to miss it.  We will have our usual callers and take your phone calls too.  All Aboard to hear about "RailCamp 2014!" You can apply to RailCamp by going to www.NRHS.com and click on the RailCamp Schedule on the front page.  See you at Camp this Summer!  

The Amazing Chris Guenzler host a blast from the past. From the days when Richard Hamilton hosted the show this week the Chris Guenzler will do an interview live on air with our good friend Conductor Larry.  He will return with tales of being hired  by the Southern Pacific and his experiences doing that. We will learn more about Larry's railroading experience on this show and he will tell his usual great stories. You will get to hear about an earlier time in modern railroading. Enjoy this show.

On this week's episode, At The Railyard host Nick Ozorak interviews Stephen Low, director of the IMAX movie "Rocky Mountain Express".  Stephen talks about the process of filming Canadian Pacific #2816 as well as his lifelong interest in trains and filmmaking.

The American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains travels to the 2014 Railroad Passenger Car Alliance convention in Branson, Missouri this week. We will learn what the Alliance does for Passenger Car Owners and what it means for the railfan. Founded in 1982, the Railroad Passenger Car Alliance was created as a resource to owners and operators of privately owned railroad passenger equipment. The primary goal was to coordinate efforts for pooling their equipment for mainline steam excursions. The popularity of the organization quickly grew and today includes over 400 members. As mainline steam excursions ceased, the organization changed the mission statement to include promoting the preservation and operation of historic railroad equipment, addressing the issues facing equipment owners and working with the nation's railroads and Amtrak to facilitate the operation and movement of member's passenger cars. Today R.P.C.A. is a growing and forward thinking organization led by a Board of Directors who are railroad industry professionals, and are capable of thinking outside the box. Dedicated to preserving a unique and enjoyable mode of transportation.