The Roundhouse | Railfanning and Track Planning

In this episode of The Roundhouse, Classic Trains editor Brian Schmidt sits down with David Popp to discuss his unique path into the railroad hobby. David shares how he started as a model railroader but developed a passion for railfanning after discovering 1:1 scale trains routing near his childhood home. This dual interest led him to incorporate prototype […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse | Using Employee Timetables

In this episode of The Roundhouse, host Brian Schmidt and Bob Lettenberger continue to explore how employee timetables offer rail enthusiasts a “behind the curtain” look at operations. These official documents are vital for planning photography, conducting historical research, and accurately modeling railroads. They also serve as an index to other crucial railroad documents. Be […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse | Collecting Employee Timetables

In this 33rd episode of The Roundhouse, an on-camera interview series established in 2013, Trains Magazine Associate Editor Bob Lettenberger plays host to Brian Schmidt, Editor of Classic Trains Magazine. The two gather at the roundtable to discuss an endeavor they both enjoy – collecting employee timetables! Listen in, as Bob and Brian reveal the […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse | Classic Trains Magazine Origin Story

This reboot of The Roundhouse, an on-camera interview series established in 2013, welcomes host Brian Schmidt, Editor of Classic Trains Magazine, and guest Rob McGonigal, former (retired) Editor of Classic Trains Magazine, back to the roundtable. Just as the Summer 2025 issue of the now 25-year-old periodical is set for publication, Brian and Rob sit […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 31

Model Railroader Roundhouse logo

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode of The Roundhouse, host Hal Miller, along with guests MR Contributing Editor Tony Koester and MRVP Producer David Popp, offer insights on how to keep the hobby “fresh” throughout years of involvement. Build a new layout? Pick a new scale? […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 30

Hal Miller, Dana Kawala, and Tony Koester

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this episode, Host Hal Miller invited Model Railroader Contributing Editor Tony Koester an MR Senior Editor Dana Kawala to discuss how advancements in hobby technology have made it easier to adopt more and more practices employed by real (1:1 scale) railroads. Watch, […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 7

Tony Koester and Neil Besougloff

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Classic Trains editor Rob McGonigal and former Trains magazine publisher Kevin Keefe join Hal Miller for episode 7 of The Roundhouse. Topics for discussion include bankrupt railroads, best railroad photographers, and whether or not Amtrak can ever be considered cool. […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 25

Hal Miller and Tony Koester

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Hal Miller hosts a single-stall edition of his show with Model Railroader magazine contributing editor Tony Koester. This time the conversation centers on Tony’s Allegheny Midland HO scale layout and its various iterations that appeared in numerous Model Railroader magazine features and Kalmbach […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 29

Hal Miller, Tony Koester, and Neil Besougloff

The Roundhouse host Hal Miller brings Model Railroader magazine notables Neil Besougloff and Tony Koester to the table. The topic of discussion relates to rising talents who are working to bring The World’s Greatest Hobby to the next level! […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 28

Hal Miller, Dana Kawala, and Tony Koester

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page For the 2017 debut of The Roundhouse, host Hal Miller invited Model Railroader Contributing Editor Tony Koester an MR Senior Editor Dana Kawala to discuss layout operation that doesn’t require power to the rails. Who knew this was such an electrifying topic! […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 26

Hal Miller and Gerry Leone

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page Host Hal Miller brings you this single-stall edition featuring NMRA Vice President and Master Model Railroader Gerry Leone. Hal points the conversation toward Gerry’s remarkable Bona Vista HO scale layout and its various iterations that have appeared in numerous Model Railroader publications. You’ll […]

Read More…

The Roundhouse: Episode 24

Hal Miller and Jim Hediger

Having trouble viewing this video?   Please visit our Video FAQ page In this first ever Roundhouse/History According to Hediger mash-up, Hal talks to senior editor Jim Hediger about a wide array of interests from his 43-year tenure at Model Railroader magazine, the leading publication in the hobby. Jim references how he landed an interview […]

Read More…