The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

Feb 23 2025 79 ep. 49 mins 77
The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. Podcast artwork

Discussion of model railroading and operations.

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#78 - Having fun with operations

Feb 23 2025 24 mins  
Operations are supposed to be fun. This episode discusses the social aspects of hosting and being a guest. This episode's crew is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR. Our sponsor is the Foam engine, which you can throw across the room.

#77 - Operations Weekends - The Hosts

Feb 01 2025 42 mins  
In this episode, we discuss hosting an Operations weekend. How do we pick layouts, how are guests invited, and what can a host do to prepare for time visitors? The crew in this episode is Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, Ken Zieska, and Thomas W Gasior MMR as the host. Our show is sponsored by the Jordan-Walker Bowling Ball Factory kit.

#76 - Keeping busy during operations.

Nov 28 2024 44 mins  
This episode we discuss how busy we want to be at an operations session, and how busy do we want our crew members when we host a session? The crew this episode is Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR We are sponsored this episode by "The Sleep Inducing Clinic".

#75 - Running the Evanston N-Scale FreeMo/T-Trak set up

Nov 14 2024 41 mins  
This episode we are joined by Lee Caulkins and Brett Issacs. The main force behind the huge, and we mean HUGE, N-scale modular set up. This past year it was held in Evanston Wyoming at the Historic Union Pacific Shops. Ken Borowski MMR and Thomas Gasior MMR help our guests explain what it takes to run this event. It may be N Scale, but it is open to all modelers of any scale. It mi

#74 - Who needs a mainline?

Oct 31 2024 37 mins  
In this episode, we discuss layouts with no mainline. One, if any yards, and minimal staging. Can you create a fun, operational layout that will stand the test of time? We discuss how a smaller layout can be more nimble, or accommodating to operators of any skill level. No clearing up for the express, no Train orders to decipher, no dispatcher to boss you around the railroad. Greg

#73 - The lowly Freighthouse. Best industry you can model

Oct 13 2024 33 mins  
In this episode, we discuss the operations of a freight house. We also discuss Cold storage and security storage facilities. Joe Binish has one of the best-run operations for working the freight house on his Central of Minnesota layout. The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. This episode is sponsored by: The Operations Day Solderin

#72 - Evolving Operations. How have operations changed as a layout owner, or a guest operator

Sep 27 2024 40 mins  
In this episode, we discuss evolving operations for layouts and car forwarding systems. What have we done to upgrade or detail our operations? The crew for this show is Joe Binish, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR Our sponsor is: Scale Weather

#71 - What changes have you experienced in the hobby?

Sep 12 2024 42 mins  
This episode is about changes to our modeling. What has evolved and made us better modelers or operators? Think about the changes to technology in your lifetime, and the new techniques being tried to achieve better models and layouts. The crew for this episode is Joe Binish, Mike Jordan, and Ken Zieska, and hosted by Thomas Gasior MMR. Our show is sponsored by: Questions to ask dur

#70 - Prototype Overhype?

Aug 29 2024 36 mins  
Do models have to be exact replicas for you to enjoy them? Are the manufacturers being pushed too far into the museum quality construction? Our panel discusses the effect of prototype modeling on our layouts. The crew of this episode includes Ken Borowski MMR, Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr, and Thomas W Gasior MMR. Our sponsor is the YouTube channels that claim to be the greatest

#69 - That 70's Model Railroad Show

Aug 15 2024 38 mins  
This episode is a discussion about modeling the 1970s era. What was good about it, plus how we conveyed to our visitors that the layout is set in the 1970s. The era before the mega-mergers and the caboose and boxcars could still be found in every train. David Hamilton MMR models the CB&Q/BN mainline between the Twin Cities and Galesburg during the 1970-74 timeframe. Ken Borowsk