Lets Talk Trains
326 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 5 years ago - ★★★★ - 32 ratingsFreight, Passenger, Trolleys, Light Rail, Museums, as long as it is rail/train related, we talk about it!
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Episodes
Interview with Allen C. Harper, President of American Heritage Railways
February 15, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBAllen 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 ...
National Railway Historical Society RailCamp with host Skip Waters
February 08, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBJoin 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 p...
Conductor Larry Stops By For A Visit
February 01, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThe 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.
Rocky Mountain Express IMAX Director Stephen Low Interview
January 25, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.3 MBOn 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.
LTT On The Road: Rail Passenger Car Alliance National Convention
January 18, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThe 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 ...
St. Louis, Missouri's MetroLink: How It Got Started And It's Future.
January 11, 2014 18:00 - 1 hour - 26.1 MBThis week, the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Train's program takes a look at the Metropolitan St.Louis Light Rail system. We will talk about how the system got it's start and the current two leg operation. We will find out it ties into the other transportation modes that are available in St. Louis. Metro St. Louis and what is on the horizon for light rail in St. Louis.And we will take a peak into a day in the life of an operator.
Canadian National Dispatcher Dave Smetko
January 04, 2014 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.7 MBDavid Smetko the CN Dispatcher will be our guest this week on this prerecoded episode on LTT. You can not call the show during this interview. We will learn about what his job entails, What segments of railroad he dispatches and then his hobby of rare mileage train riding. We willl go pack to his Illinois Central railroading beginnings and hear a story about him meeting Muhammad Ali. His days as a tower opertor with be discussed. A good show for sure!
2013 APRHF's Let's Talk Trains Hosts Year In Review
December 28, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBAs 2013 comes to a close, please join all of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains hosts as they each take over a segment to talk about their best show that the hosted and and the best show that listened to by from each of other hosts. The chat room www.letstalktrain.com will be open to give your views as well. If you listen later, comment on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/letstalktrains.
LTT On The Road: Jackson, TN: Casey Jones and the NC&STL
December 21, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 28.2 MBOn our last “On The Road Segment” of 2013, we visit the railroad town of Jackson, not Mississippi but the other Jackson located in the State of Tennessee. We visit with the Mayor to Jackson, Tenn. to find out about Jackson and what they are doing to make railfans and their citizens interested in rail tourism. We also chat with the Casey Jones Village and Museum director, then travel across town to visit with the city’s Park and Recreation Director, who’s department owns the NC&STL railroad d...
Current News And Events Plus A Look Into the Future
December 14, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.9 MBThis week, Kansas City Nathan hosts, as we follow up with the Regional Roundup Crew, as we discuss recent events around the country---including new and ongoing projects, and noteworthy derailments. During the second half of the show, we will replay the Special Edition report of the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) public meeting for the Illinois High-Speed Rail (HSR) Chicago to St. Louis Project. At this meeting, the study team will present information regarding the Springfield 3...
Ask the Amazing Chris Guenzler Day
December 07, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThis is your chance to ask the Amazing Chris Guenzler any railroad related questions about his train riding. This show got a little crazy from some off the wall callers but your host took care of it. It was the hardest show I had ever hosted but I did it. This was the highest listenship show we had ever had join our LTT History. We did have some really good phone calls too. Join us for this fun and eductional show.
2013 Christmas and Holiday Trains
November 30, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.8 MBThanksgiving weekend is the traditional start of the holiday season. Join Bob and Elizabeth at 12-noon (Central) / 10:00 A.M. (Pacific) for their annual review of holiday, Santa and Christmas trains throughout the Country. Please let us know about the holiday trains in your area by calling (646) 716-7106, on the web at http://www.letstalktrains.com
Thanksgiving For Railroad Museums
November 23, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThis week, the Let's Talk Trains host, ShuttletrainTED, visited the Memphis, Tenn. Railroad & Trolley Museum. We learn about how the railroad help shape the past and present Memphis. The Memphis Railroad and Trolley Museum allows visitors to learn about railroading and what the future holds. ShuttletrainTED will speak with the regional round-up reporters and take a quick look at what is going on in Rochelle, Ill.
Meridian RailFest/Gulf, Mobile & Ohio/J. Parker Lamb
November 16, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBLet's Talk Trains visited the town of Meridian, Mississippi during their WhistleStop Weekend. The Meridian Railroad Museum had their railfest and the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Historical Society had their annual convention and Soule SteamFest had their annual open house. We were also joined by noted author J. Parker Lamb. Sit back and enjoy the visit to the great railroad town of Meridian.
The Model Railroad Turn--I mean Roundtable
November 09, 2013 18:00 - 1 hour - 27.2 MBKansas City Nathan will be hosting the show from the La Plata, Mo. Depot, which host the east & westbound Amtrak Southwest Chief, and the gateway to the APRHF Headquarters, and SilverRails Country. This week, we will welcome Kevin Buck, of LaPlata Riptrack, Jim LeBaron, and possibly others for a turntable---I mean a roundtable discussion about model railroading. This includes the serious modeler who wants to recreate a specific time and place; to a modeler who likes to watch trains go around ...
Chris Visits With Carl Morrison
November 02, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBCarl Morrison will be our guest, this week, on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's The Let's Talk Trains Show. The Amazing Chris Guenzler will interview Carl about his websites on TrainWeb.org and on MoKnows Photos, as well as many other railroad related things. Carl has many stories plus tips on how to be a good rail photographer. His pictures and mine can be bought from the Silver Rail Gallery in La Plata, Missouri. We will travel from his growing up in Indiana to the present...
Amtrak and Minnesota Museums
October 26, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThe American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's the Let's Talk Trains Show visits with an old friend this week, Amtrak Media Relations Manager, Marc Magliari. After Marc brings us up to track speed, we will visit with the Twin City Model Railroad Museum. During the whole second hour will be talking about the Minnesota Transportation Museum. Join us as we continue to learn about what is available for railfans of all ages. ALL ABOARD!!!
LTT On The Road: Silver Rails Train Show and C&O Historical Society
October 19, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBThis time, on the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation's Let's Talk Trains Show, we are visiting Silver Rails Country, located in LaPlata, Mo.---home of the American Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation---and the Silver Rails Train Show for the first hour. The second hour, we turn our attention to the eastern part of the country as we find out about the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Historical Society. We will visit with the founder of the Historical group and the director of the C&O Her...
Mitch Markovitz Returns
October 12, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBMitch 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.
2013 NRHS Alaska Convention Recap
October 05, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.2 MBThis 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 tra...
LTT On The Road: Arborway, T.T. & Northwestern Railroad
September 28, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThe 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 ...
September Updates
September 14, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.8 MBThe 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 suggestio...
Railfan Magazine Editor Steve Barry
September 07, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBJoin 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
LTT On The Road: Chasing Alcos in the Ozarks
August 31, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.3 MBSkip 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 sh...
Dog Days of Summer
August 24, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBThis 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.
LTT On The Road:Topeka, Kansas
August 17, 2013 17:00 - 1 hour - 25.6 MBThis 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.
Resurrecting A Legacy
August 10, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThis 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 Lind...
LTT On The Road: Grand Opening of Park Forest Railpark
July 27, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBJoin 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 inte...
LTT On The Road: Folkston, Georgia
July 20, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBJoin 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.
The Model Railroading Conundrum II
July 13, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThis 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...
Bart Jennings Drops By and Amtrak Guest Rewards Explained
July 06, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThis week the Amazing Chris Guenzler will be back and talk with Bart Jennings Segment 2 talking about the NRHS 2014 Convention in Arkansas. He will be joined by our regular callers segment one then will talk about a few recent trips and explain Guest Rewards to you. He will tell you about all the options you can have by joining Guest Rewards. We will tell you how he has used Guest Rewards and what he has done with it.
A conversation with Elrond Lawrence
June 29, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.7 MBElrond Lawrence is today's guest on the Let's Talk Trains Show. Bob will talk with hin about Califronai railroading, his involvement with the NRHS, and his interests in the rapidly disappearing Southern Pacific and Santa Fe signals as well as the Salton Sea and the Sunset Route. This show was pre-recorded on June 27th so we will not be taking calls, howver, the show can be heard at http://www.letstalktrains.com or in the chat room. It can also be heard at Elrond's website http://www.66ra...
LTT On The Road: Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad
June 22, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThis week Bob and Elizabeth take Let's Talk Trains on the road to Mineral, Washington to visit and talk with Stathi Pappas, the Chief Mechanical Officer of the Mt. Rainier Scenic Railroad. It was founded in 1980 as part of the Western Forest Industries museum which started Camp 6 in Tacoma. They have the broadest collection of logging steam locomotives in the world, including at least one from every maker. Currently they have four in operation, soon to be five. Join us at 10:00 AM Pacifi...
Trucks vs Railroads: Can't we get along?
June 15, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBThis week, Let's Talk Trains examines the rif between truck traffic and railroads. Why railroads intermodel freight has dropped except for overseas imports. We want everyone to call in, during the live show, at 646-716-7106, with their observations. Why shippers are flocking to trucks for cross-country deliveries.
National Park Service and Amtrak's Trails & Rails on the Southwest Chief
June 08, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.4 MBThis week, join Kansas City Nathan, as we will welcome Robert and Kandace Tabern to the show, in a pre-recorded interview, after completing the inaugural run of the Trails & Rails program on Amtrak's Southwest Chief between Chicago Union Station and the LaPlata, Mo. Robert, who is the Chicago Coordinator for this Trails and Rails Group, will tell us about the history of the Trails & Rails Program, as well as talking about what it took to start the current Chicago-LaPlata, Mo. project, to c...
LTT On The Road: 8th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw"
May 25, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.7 MBYour host this week is Skip Waters, organizer of the 8th Annual "24 Hours @ Saginaw" 2013, a 24 hour railwatching event sponsored by the North Texas Chapter, NRHS. Joining us will be local guests attending "24 Hours @ Saginaw" as they share the fun activities happening at the Saginaw Chamber depot in Saginaw, Texas. We will also have Gerald Hook of Arkansas join us to discuss his 36 year railroad career in sales and marketing, 28+ years with the KCS alone. Lots of good stores to hear. Joi...
Railroad Museums: Are they important?
May 18, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThis week, Let's Talk Trains invites two different Railroad Museums to discuss their museums and their mission. The Georgia State Railroad museum will discuss their history and the future. The Houston Railroad Museum will discuss their plans for the future. Both museums will try and answer the perception of non railfans, calling some museums junkyards.
2013 National Train Day
May 11, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBIt's the annual National Train Day show. With Elizabeth out of town, Bob will be hosting solo as he takes calls from National Train Day events around the country. To tell us about your event, please call 646-716-7106 or join us on the web at http://www.letstalktrains.com or in the chat room at http://letstalktrains.com/chat. Beginning at 10:00AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern.
LTT On The Road: 2013 Fullerton Railroad Days
May 04, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThis week The Let's Talk Trains Show comes live to you from Fullerton Railroad Days 2013. The Amazing Chris Guenzler will tell you all about Fullerton Railroad Days. He will tell you all about the train exhibits and model railroads here on display. We will have interviews with people and I will walk around the grounds to tell you all about this great event. This is the biggest event in Fullerton each year and by listening you can be a part of it.
Why Do We Do It?
April 27, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.3 MBNick Ozorak (At The Railyard, www.attherailyard.com) examines why we do what we do: what got us into railfanning? What aspects of it do we enjoy the most? How can we continue to connect with it and balance it with our lives as a whole? This will be an open discussion. If you've never called in before, now is a great time to share your railfanning experience!
Railfanning in the Modern Age
April 20, 2013 17:00 - 1 hour - 23.1 MBWith the recent events that have taken place in Boston, this past week, our hobby of railfanning is, again, under the magnifying glass by the general public and local authorities. This week, Kansas City Nathan, hosts as we talk about the hobby of railfanning, different website and tools we use and have an open the phone lines for a discussion about the events the past week and what we can do to help promote our hobby and not fall victim to misunderstanding. ALL ABOARD!!!
Chris Tells You About Railroad Museums in the US and Canada He Has Visited
April 06, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThe Amazing Chris Guenzler will take you around the county to the many railroad museums that he has been to, as well as a few he has not been to. Bart Jennings will join us for an update. We will go state by state to see what railroad museums there are and the ones that also give you a ride. After the USA we will cross the border into Canada to see what railroad museums are up there. Join us for an educational show.
Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society's Nickel Plate Road 765
March 30, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.7 MBWell, no, not the locomotive itself, but Kelly Lynch, of the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society will be Bob and Elizabeth's guest on Saturday's Let's Talk Trains. Kelly will give us a history of the locomotive as well as discussing its life as an excursion engine. Join us with your questions at 646-716-7106, on the web at www.letstalktrains.com or in the chatroom at www.letstalktrains.com/chat. The show airs at 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern
Smithsonian's America on the Move
March 23, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBAmerica on the Move, is an exhibit of the Museum of American History, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C.. We will take a look at the offerings at our nation's museum as it relates to rail transportation over the years. Have you been to the Museum of American History? Well, If you have you only saw less than 10 percent of the artifacts they have. Join the conversation at 646-716-7106 or in the chat room, at www.letstalktrains.com/chat.
Winterail 2013
March 16, 2013 17:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBWinterail, the west coast's premier railroadiana and multimedia show, celebrated its 35th year on March 9th. Bob and Elizabeth attended and will be reporting on the event along with pre- and post-Winterail trips. Please join us at 10:00 AM Pacific/1:00 PM Eastern by listening live at http://www.letstalktrains.com, joining in the conversation by calling (646) 716-7106 or in the chat room at http://www.letstalktrains.com/chat.
Fire Up 611! Committee Chat
March 09, 2013 18:00 - 1 hour - 27.2 MBJust imagine... It's early morning, with thick fog surrounding you, you are standing trackside, with a camera in-hand. You hear in the distance, the chug of a locomotive coming towards you, and you hear the whistle announcing it arrival. It gets louder and lounder and then, through the fog, the engine emgerges, cutting through the thick fog like a knife, in all of her glory. You stand there, watching her pass by in awe---forgetting that you are wanting to get a photo of her---amased by her po...
Chris Guenzler Recounts Mainline Steam Trips He Has Taken
March 02, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.5 MBThe Amazing Chris Guenzler will be hosting this week's "the Let's Talk Trains Show." Chris will talk about his mainline steam trips over the years, He will go from his first on Salt Lake City to Provo with the Union Pacific 3985 on its first public excursion to all of the other trips he has made. Engines used have been Santa Fe 3751, Milwaukee Road 261, Frisco 1522, Union Pacific 844 and 3985, SP&S 700 and many others. Join us for an educational show.
The Model Railroading Conundrum I
February 23, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.7 MBDo you like trains? Do you enjoy modeling trains? Have you ever had a model railroad when you were young and want to get back into the hobby, but don't know where to start? Have you hit that "bumper at the end of the line" and don't know what you want to do? This week, Kansas City Nathan, will be hosting The Let's Talk Trains Show, with Special Guest, Kevin Buck, and others who have been involved in model railroading , both as an amateur and professionally. This will be the first of a series...
Amtrak Stations Renovations Update
February 16, 2013 18:00 - 2 hours - 27.6 MBThis week's Let's Talk Trains focuses on Amtrak and it's plans to renovate several stations. We will be joined by an Amtrak official who will give us a firsthand report on what Amtrak has planned.. The chatroom will be open at www.letstalktrains.com/chat and there will be time to call in and ask your question about the stations. Join us won't you?
Gateway Garden Railroad Club
February 09, 2013 18:00 - 1 hour - 26.9 MBJoin us at the Gateway Garden Railroad Club Winter Meeting. The Gateway Garden Railroad is a group of Large Scale Railroaders from the Metro St. Louis Area that love to show off their hobby.