For the November edition of What's Happening In Model Railroading, we take a (virtual) trip to Tillsonburg, Ontario, Canada to Otter Valley Railroad and talk to owner Lorne James. Lorne tells us about his family owned shop and how it started as a young man's dream and became one of the premier model railroad retailers in Canada. Lorne also tells how Otter Valley is expanding into the manufacturing business with their first line of cars, and takes us through his process of meticulous research to ensure accuracy and quality. With the holidays coming, Lorne also provides us with some things to consider putting on your wish list this season. Check out Otter Valley Railroad online at http://www.ovrtrains.com/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

While most know Bloomfield Connecticut's John Sacerdote as the well dressed Show Director of the Amherst Railway Society's Railroad Hobby Show, this episode focuses on John the layout owner as we explore his Berlin, Bangor and Maine layout. John talks about how a trip to an iconic Hartford Connecticut department store ignited a lifelong love affair with model trains that has lasted to this day. Learn more about the Amherst Railway Society here: http://amherstrail.org/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

On this episode, we head back to the Lone Star State and talk to Greg McComas, owner of the Michigan Interstate St. Clair Subdivision and MAC Rail Products. Greg fills us in on how the idea for his freelance railroad developed, then shares how he's implemented his vision on his double deck layout. We also learn how MAC Rail was born out of a necessity to create niche parts and has grown to supplying those hard to find modern details.Like and follow the Michigan Interstate on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100069293202704Check out MAC Rail's offerings here: https://macrailproducts.com/Pick up your own Michigan Interstate PS-4750 hopper from Home Shops LLC: https://homeshops.net/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

There are some folks who aren’t afraid to take on a challenge, and Scott Thornton is one of them. Join us as Scott tells how he’s not only building his first layout, but also writing about it in an ongoing series in the hobby’s leading publication, Railroad Model Craftsman. Scott also shares his passion for enhancing operations with takeaways from the fantasy board gamer world and how he’s developing a theatre aspect to his layout. From his involvement with Iowa Scaled Engineering and his own Scotty’s Model Shop, this is one interesting guy with a lot to share. Check out more on the Milan Branch here: http://milanbranch.com/Check out the Fiberail Track Cleaner and much more at Scotty’s Model Shop.https://www.scottysmodelshop.com/#/Take your operations to the next level with a ProtoThrottle and check out the other creations from Iowa Scaled Engineering. https://www.iascaled.com/store/Subscribe to Railroad Model Craftsman to catch Scott’s ongoing "Branch Line on a Shelf” series. https://rrmodelcraftsman.com/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

There wasn't a What's Happening in Model Railroading episode in September, so we needed the right guy to get us back on the rails, and that guy is none other than the editor of Model Railroad News, Tony Cook. Tony's notebook was full of what seems to be a flood of new product releases and he highlights quite a few, including offerings from Rapido, Walthers, Diecast Masters, Broadway Limited, ExactRail and much more. Subscribe to Model Railroad News and get all the latest happenings in the hobby delivered to your mailbox or inbox: https://shop.whiteriverproductions.com/products/mrn?variant=1203671940Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

In this episode of Around The Layout, we go deep into the vivid imagination of Chris Palmieri and learn about the alternate railroading reality he has created in the freelance world of "The Meridian Speedway." Chris talks about the how he, from an early age, has been developing his own model railroad story based on his deep and growing knowledge of prototype operations. You'll learn how this has led to the creation of Home Shops, LLC and how his new venture helps spread not only his story but those of fellow freelance modelers across the planet.Check out The Meridian Speedway website: https://www.meridianspeedway.net/Shop Home Shops LLC for freelance model railroad cars: https://homeshops.net/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

They say “everything is bigger in Texas” and Chris Atkins’ Sheridan and Everywhere West HO Scale Layout is beginning to live up to it. Chris tells us how he came to own his former Texas & Pacific section house and shares his progress as he brings his proto-freelance empire to life. He also talks about his role in the upcoming 2023 Texas Express NMRA National Convention and how that’s adding some pressure to have the layout ready for tours and operations.HO Scale Sheridan and Everywhere West Facebook Group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/NPCBQCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Illinois’ own Isaac Fabris climbs aboard and tells us about his CN/IC Heyworth Spur and the events that led up to him modeling his hometown railroad. Isaac shares his thoughts on layout design and gives helpful tips to those just starting out in the planning process. Check out the CN/IC Heyworth Spur Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/607099757235527Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

On our first “What’s Happening in Model Railroading” show, we catch up with a very busy Tony Cook, Editor of Model Railroad News. Tony tells us about some of the exciting product announcements at the St. Louis Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet and the National Train Show at the Gateway 2022 NMRA National Convention. Ray and Tony also talk about the explosion of “cottage industry” manufacturers and the positive impact they are having on the hobby. Subscribe to Model Railroad News: https://modelrailroadnews.com/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Dave Oppedisano joins us to talk about his BNSF Lakeside Subdivision layout. Ray and Dave met at the New England/Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers Meet in Springfield MA, and they discuss this event and Dave's presentation during NERPM. Dave tells us about the Lakeside Sub area and the parts he's incorporating into his layout. He also shares advice about choosing backdrop materials and shares his passion for all things electronics. Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Dan Dossa joins us from Eden Prairie, Minnesota to tell us about his Minnesota Commercial HO scale switching layout. Dan shares his progression in the hobby and how the prototype aligned perfectly for model railroad operations. Dan also talks about his involvement in the Twin Cities Division of the NMRA and their outstanding podcast, TCD Crossing Gate. Listen to Dan and the crew at the TCD Crossing Gate here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1429390Learn more about the Twin Cities Division of the NMRA: https://tcdnmra.org/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

NMRA Nutmeg Division Superintendent Jeff Hanke stops by to tell us about the upcoming Connecticut Yankee Regional Convention. Jeff previews the events that will be taking place September 15th-18th at the Marriott Hartford/Windsor Airport Hotel in Windsor, Connecticut. For more information or to register, visit https://ner-conventions.org/connecticut-yankeeCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Joe Musgrove shares his path from modeling in N scale to his current HO scale Missouri Pacific Railroad Central Division layout. Joe talks about the challenges in changing scales, and discusses his methods for researching the prototype. He also tells us about his growing YouTube channel and how he's giving back to the community he's learned from by sharing tip and techniques he's learned.Joe's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3aKrXCVuCbYLBmXqygQINw/videosCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

It's a trip back to the late 1940's as Chris Adams talks about how his passion for NYNH&H history has driven him to model New Haven's Connecticut Valley line in HO. Chris shares the collaborative effort from a large circle of friends that has made The Valley Local not only a great layout to operate, but a trip back in time as it tells the story of post WWII railroading. Chris also shares his impressions of the recently visited Franklin & South Manchester and his takeaways from the recent New England / Northeast Railroad Prototype Modelers meet in Springfield MA.See more of this outstanding layout on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2314972308548030Check out The Valley Local's website - www.thevalleylocal.netCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Joe Mammay joins Ray Arnott as they celebrate 2000 downloads of the podcast by reading some of the emails sent in by the listeners. Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Painter and model railroader Kevin Gallagher tells us about Hopedale Shops and how he has created a plethora of beautiful custom locomotives for customers and for himself. He shares some of the techniques he uses in creating accurate and highly detailed products. Kevin also shares how he worked his way into becoming an engineer on the Hobo and Winnipesaukee Railroads. Check out Hopedale Shops on Facebook: fb.com/hopedaleshopsKevin highly recommends Highball Graphics: https://highballgraphics.com/Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

On this episode of Around The Layout, we talk to Kyle LeBlanc, who models the 1950's Boston & Maine in HO scale. Kyle tells us how he chose the B&M, talks about the influence his late father Ron had on his modeling and how he's incorporating structures from his dad's layout into his own. Ray and Kyle share lessons from their late friend on kit bashing and never fearing cutting a structure to make it work and review their recent trip to George Sellios' Franklin and South Manchester layout.

Paul Cassar joins us from Sydney, Australia and tells us about his River Belt Line HO scale shelf layout. He shares the process of building this 18’ x 18’ switching layout in his garage using commercial shelving units. We also learn about the wildly popular HO Scale Shelf Modelers Facebook group that Paul administers and find out how he’s worked to crack the Facebook algorithm and grow the group to over 9.3 thousand members.Check out Paul's River Belt Line: https://www.facebook.com/The-River-Belt-Line-400978519962021The HO Scale Shelf Modelers Facebook group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/484711889437745Paul recommends you check out Boomer Diorama for great modeling tips:https://www.youtube.com/c/BoomerDioramasTheImmersiveModelRailroadCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Around The Layout T-Shirts are now available for pre-order! Go to aroundthelayout.com and click Fan Store to order. Shirts will ship by late June 2022.

The big topic is small layouts when Mike King drops by to talk about his CSX West Mansfield HO scale layout which is nestled in the attic of his farmhouse in Uxbridge, Massachusetts. Mike and Ray weigh the pros and cons of having smaller layouts and the challenges they present. We also learn how Mike creates cost effective buildings and uses a 3D printer to make scenery components that are unique to his layout.Check out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]

Cory Scothon joins us to talk about the process of transitioning his Providence & Worcester HO scale layout from a single user continuous loop design to one that can hold operating sessions with up to four operators. We discuss the challenges he faced and how he used the local prototype to help develop his operating scheme. Cory also tells us about his start in the hobby, and how model railroading has become a bond between himself and his father. Follow Cory on Instagram - @pwmodelrrCheck out our website: www.aroundthelayout.comFollow us on Facebook: facebook.com/aroundthelayoutSend us an email: [email protected]