Railroad Roll-By

Description: Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern are proposing a merger that would create a massive railroad to connect Canada, the USA, and Mexico! Plus, Amtrak is set to roll out some cool paint schemes to celebrate their 50 years of service!

Our special guest is Matt Bown, host of the legendary television series “Extreme Trains.” He tells about what it was like to ride in the UP 844 and how he was lucky enough to get the dream job of playing on some of the coolest trains ever, including the Ringling Bros. circus train.

Daniel Rappoport, founding president of the impressive Illinois Tech Railroad Club, is our special guest. In this episode, we learn about the club's humble beginnings, Daniel's passion for the hobby, and how it is influencing his career choice. This is an episode you don't want to miss!

Update on the restoration efforts of East Broad Top Railroad, information about a classic Santa Fe unit in Tooele, Utah, and how to implode a tank car—which is something you should not actually attempt. But it’s still cool.

Schon went to a model train show in Milwaukee and, of course, found time to go trackside and look for CN trains. Todd discusses his N-scale woes as they exchange holiday gifts, plus an update on Heber Valley Railroad’s latest locomotive acquisition.

Union Pacific’s amazing Big Boy returned to Utah, and Todd and Schon were there to … well … geek out when it rolled past. We also have updates on new passenger cars and possibly a classic F7 unit arriving at Heber Valley Railroad. The Boise, Idaho plant where UTA’s Frontrunner locomotives are manufactured is closing! What will happen with Motive Power?

The legendary UP 4014 and 844 have come and gone. This event, along with the Spike 150 events, brought tens of thousands of people to Utah. Todd and Schon discuss the fun they had, plus the unprecedented crowd that accompanied the locomotives on their way out of town. They also talk about future Big Boy excursions and the new Stadler train manufacturing plant in Salt Lake City.

We get into some hardcore foaming with our guest Nathan Anderson from Union Pacific. Find out why Union Pacific cares so much about the history of railroading and the work that went into restoring the Big Boy! And find out why Nathan has the best beard for railroading. For all the details about celebrations near you, go to www.spike150.org!

Todd Nuke ‘Em and Schon Norris are joined by Doug Foxley, the Spike 150 Chair. Did you know that over 150 events are planned to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Golden Spike throughout Utah? Doug has details on all of them, including how you can see THE Golden Spike and other historical items, including a document signed by Abraham Lincoln that will be in Utah for the celebration. There is so much planned for this party that has been in the making for 150 years! You do not want to miss this episode!

Trains magazine editor Jim Wrinn and digital editor Steve Sweeney join Todd and Schon for an update on the upcoming festivities surrounding the 150th anniversary of the transcontinental railroad. Find out what to expect when Union Pacific rolls out the Big Boy locomotive!

Two former Amtrak locomotives that have been on display at Ogden’s Union Station have left Utah. We’ll tell you about their new home. Plus we talk about our rail-fanning goals for 2019, and Todd raves about his HO-scale Rio Grande tunnel motor!

We’re back with a new episode! Todd talks about the sometimes confusing world of trying to find the right DCC and sound locomotive, and his dilemma in tracking down the Athearn Genesis UP 844 of his dreams. Hint: don’t wait to buy when it is a limited run! Schon has updates on the GP’s that Heber Valley Railroad purchased. They are finally in Utah, but not in Heber.

Todd returned to Oregon Coast Scenic Railroad and he tells about his recent visit. Schon updates the fire situation on Union Pacific’s line along Interstate 80, and we talk about a railroad that paints their locomotives in local high school colors!