PODCAST

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

Twin Cities Division NMRA

Discussion of model railroading and operations.

leisure hobbies

All Episodes

40:52

#87 - N scale modeling discussion

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/10/31

We talk about some of the N scale layouts in our group. Ken Borowski MMR discusses his amazing Clinchfield Blue Ridge Division. This layout fills a few rooms in the basement and has been featured in magazines. Greg Terhaar takes us to the other end of the operations spectrum with his San Pedro packing district showing what can be done with N scale as a shelf layout. Operations and scenery are packed into both layouts so take a listen and tell us about your N scale endeavors. Ken Borowski MMR,...

en-us

40:36

#86 - Layout Improvements

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/10/16

We discuss ways to improve our layouts beyond operations. Scenery, lighting, story telling and more. Greg Terharr, Ken Zieska and Thomas Gasior MMR host this episode. Our sponsor is: The guy who attends every OPS weekend, but can't operate at all. Check out our Facebook group and share with us your layout improvements.

en-us

34:07

#85 - Narrowing your modeling focus.

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/09/30

This episode we discuss the finer points of narowing your modeling focus. From smaller layout designs to specific places and looks. Dan Dossa, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR are the crew for this episode. We are proudly sponsored by Model Railroad Event Swag.

en-us

41:35

#84 - Modeling tips to show a specific place and time

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/09/12

This episode we discuss how to make your layout show it's location and era. The use of buildings, trains, cars and signs help give visitors the feel of your railroad. Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR , and Thomas Gasior MMR are featured in this episode. Our sponsor is Uncle Dan's Rastafarian Smoke Fluid.

en-us

37:32

#83 - Project priority. Choosing what projects to...

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/08/31

This episode features a discussion about how we choose what projects to work on. Needs versus wants, fun versus chores. Tell us how you choose your next workbench filler. Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, and Host Thomas W Gasior MMR discuss their ideas for picking the next project that needs attention. This episode is sponsored by the Gerrymandered NMRA Division.

en-us

42:49

#82 - It's not where you start, but where you end -...

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/07/07

You may have had a rocky start to your layout operations, but as long as you can adapt and improve, you'll be okay. Mike Jordan, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss their changes in operations over the years, including feedback discussions, making changes to paperwork before track, and what the future holds. The Local Modular Club sponsors this episode Special guest appearance by John Witthaus. Honk, Honk.

en-us

44:04

#81 - Changes for the better

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/06/29

This episode we chat about making changes to our layouts, our operations, and how to suggest to others some changes that might improve operations. Ken Borowski MMR, Greg Dahl, and Thomas Gasior MMR are featured on this podcast. This episode is sponsored by "Back in MY Day".

en-us

38:44

#80 Participating in an OPSIG weekend

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/06/07

What is it like to be invited to an Regional Operations Weekend? Joe Binish, David Hamilton MMR, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss attending an event. These events are held every month all across the country, and you can join in. Check with the National OPSIG community and your local operating groups for information. You can check out the event held in the Twin Cities area ever yother year called MinnRail. www.MinnRail.org Our sponsor this episode is Phrases you can use on Model Railoaders,...

en-us

57:15

#79 - April edition of What's on our workbench

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/04/01

Our podcast crew has been asked to show their latest projects and share them with you. We examine various items on everyone's layout and examine what it takes to bring these models to life. April starts with a fun-filled podcast for most of our crew, except Mike Jordan, who suffered from technical issues for most of the recording. It's a good thing he has the full support of the cast. This episode's crew is Joe Binish, Greg Dahl, David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, William Sampson Jr., Ken...

en-us

24:59

#78 - Having fun with operations

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/02/23

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.

en-us

42:46

#77 - Operations Weekends - The Hosts

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2025/02/01

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.

en-us

44:17

#76 - Keeping busy during operations.

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/11/29

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 MMRWe are sponsored this episode by "The Sleep Inducing Clinic".

en-us

41:23

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

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/11/15

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 might be time to build that T-Trak or FreeMo module.This episode is sponsored by the guy who runs his lay...

en-us

37:00

#74 - Who needs a mainline?

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/11/01

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 Dahl, Dan Dossa, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss these ideas and more.This episode is sponsored by the David Hamilto...

en-us

33:39

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

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/10/14

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 Soldering Iron

en-us

40:37

#72 - Evolving Operations. How have operations...

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/09/28

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 MMROur sponsor is: Scale Weather

en-us

42:05

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

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/09/13

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 during a livestream.

en-us

36:25

#70 - Prototype Overhype?

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/08/30

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.

en-us

38:43

#69 - That 70's Model Railroad Show

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/08/16

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 Borowski MMRi models the Clinchfield in the mid-1970s.Thomas Gasior MMR hosts this episode.Our sponsor is Mode...

en-us

34:05

#68 - Handling criticism. Trolls and out of pocket...

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. ·

2024/08/02

Internet anonymity has encouraged trolls to make snide comments about people's modeling. How can we handle that issue? Also, how can we process advice from our crew? Does the source of the suggestions matter?Greg Dahl, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR discuss this issue.Sponsoring this episode is the infamous saying: Two out of three ain't bad!

en-us

88 results

The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

詭哭郎嚎

郎祖筠 & FMTaiwan製作團隊

Ron en Erik Podcast

Ron en Erik

Poor Man"s Pinball Podcast

Poor Men Ian and Drew

WeAreChange on Odysee

WeAreChange