The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.

Hobbies #82

Discussion of model railroading and operations.

#80 Participating in an OPSIG weekend
Jun 7, 2025 – 38:44
#79 - April edition of What's on our workbench
Apr 1, 2025 – 57:15
#78 - Having fun with operations
Feb 23, 2025 – 24:59
#77 - Operations Weekends - The Hosts
Feb 1, 2025 – 42:46
#76 - Keeping busy during operations.
Nov 29, 2024 – 44:17
#75 - Running the Evanston N-Scale FreeMo/T-Trak set up
Nov 15, 2024 – 41:23
#74 - Who needs a mainline?
Nov 1, 2024 – 37:00
#73 - The lowly Freighthouse. Best industry you can model
Oct 13, 2024 – 33:39
#72 - Evolving Operations. How have operations changed as a layout owner, or a guest operator
Sep 28, 2024 – 40:37
#71 - What changes have you experienced in the hobby?
Sep 13, 2024 – 42:05
#70 - Prototype Overhype?
Aug 30, 2024 – 36:25
#69 - That 70's Model Railroad Show
Aug 16, 2024 – 38:43
#68 - Handling criticism. Trolls and out of pocket comments
Aug 2, 2024 – 34:05
#67 - Choose your own story. The future of operations.
Jul 18, 2024 – 40:37
#66 - Operating with off spots. Cars that won't fit at an industry
May 3, 2024 – 57:09
#65 - Model Railroad Anxiety
Apr 11, 2024 – 40:48
#64 - Operations on a Cog Railway
Apr 1, 2024 – 14:13
#63 - Two person operation crews
Mar 22, 2024 – 36:50
#62 - Operations instructions beyond the safety brief
Feb 9, 2024 – 45:43
#61 - Freelance does not mean Free-for-all
Jan 26, 2024 – 41:51
#60 - What is your catalyst for starting or finishing a project?
Dec 15, 2023 – 48:22
#59 - What would you do if you could start over?
Dec 1, 2023 – 50:43
#58 - What makes an operating layout go from good to great?
Oct 20, 2023 – 58:14
#57 - The advantages of small layouts
Oct 6, 2023 – 54:09
#56 - What do layout owners and their crews expect from each other?
Sep 22, 2023 – 55:31
#55 - OPSIG discussion with Dispatcher Editor Eric Smith
Sep 8, 2023 – 58:10
#54 - Yardmaster - The hardest job in Model Railroad Operations
Aug 25, 2023 – 55:18
#53 - Pre-operations briefings: What to say, and what to edit.
Aug 11, 2023 – 58:19
#52 - Challenge yourself. What do you consider a challenge your current skills in Model Railroading.
Jul 21, 2023 – 52:47
#51 - Yards, are they necessary for operations on your layout?
Jul 7, 2023 – 47:49
#50.5 TCD events this summer, and more convention reports.
Jun 14, 2023 – 42:35
#50 - Operations discussion with William Sampson and crew.
Jun 11, 2023 – 01:03:06
#49 - Car Cards against Human[c]ity - Step 1 with CC&WB operations
Apr 21, 2023 – 58:06
Episode #48 - Why do we add details that no one might notice?
Mar 31, 2023 – 52:45
Episode #47 - Modeling Grain Elevators
Feb 24, 2023 – 54:08
#46 - Narrow gauge modeling with the Eau Claire Crew
Jan 6, 2023 – 57:27
Episode #45 - Operations Feedback
Dec 9, 2022 – 47:36
Episode #44 - Animation for your layout. Lighting, sound and motion.
Nov 25, 2022 – 53:16
Episode #43 - Changes. Why is it so difficult to change our layouts?
Nov 11, 2022 – 45:50
Episode #42 - For the love of small layouts.
Oct 21, 2022 – 44:44
Episode #41 - Rabbit Holes. How far do you dig into researching your models and operations.
Oct 1, 2022 – 47:56
Episode #40 - The Operators Retreat
Sep 19, 2022 – 01:02:13
#39 - For the love of Passenger Trains
Sep 2, 2022 – 44:41
#38 - Modular railroading with Minnesota FreeMo
Aug 19, 2022 – 44:21
Episode #37 - Virtual Model Railroading
Aug 5, 2022 – 53:13
Episode #36 - Resin Car Kits for everyone.
Jul 22, 2022 – 46:16
Episode #35 - Layout planning and designing for operation
Jul 8, 2022 – 01:04:39
Episode #34 - Staging Yards. The good, the bad, the indifferent.
Jun 17, 2022 – 53:22
Episode #33 - Summer Modeling Ideas.
Jun 3, 2022 – 33:50
Episode #32 What is on the workbench.
May 6, 2022 – 54:22

Recent Reviews

barcbjtc

I really wanted to like this show…

But sometimes you guys are condescending to people who: 1. don’t run ops sessions 2. Have continuous running 3. Don’t take the prototype side as serious as you do. You give lip service to “to each their own” but nothing about it seems sincere. I left with the sentiment if I did’t have a point to point layout with ops session then I wasn’t really in the hobby. I listen to over 20 episodes and it just didn’t get better. Also, I had to skip your opens. Those are painful.
fRg9

Informative, Interesting

I really enjoy listening to this group discuss their model railroading hobby. The operations information is especially useful as I am just starting to have ops sessions on my model RR. Thanks!
Canalligators

Real Content!

I like the medium of audio podcasts. I can listen while doing something that doesn’t require a lot of attention. And I listen for content, not just mindless chatter. But many hobby podcasts are just that, talk about nothing in particular. Not so with The Crossing Gate. Their format is a panel discussion, and they stick to the topic of the day. Sure, there are jokes and jabs, and it’s fun to listen to, but content is the focus. Thomas Gasoir moderates, and he does a great job of keeping it “on track”. They focus on my interest area, realistic modeling (rather than collecting). Within that focus, they hit all aspects: operation, detailing, prototype vs. freelance, animation, etc. - very comprehensive. I’m learning a lot.
Conductor JoeV

Operations

TCD podcast goes beyond by discussing and teaching about the various aspects of model railroading particularly the latest episodes on the why and how of operating your model railroad
Jere Ingram

Great Discussion

Great discussion of the current state of Free-mo.
Jake Etling

Very Helpful!

Great advice and tips from experienced modelers. A very useful source of info for me as I get back into the hobby in my adult life. Keep it coming gentlemen!
Ericpolish

Solid effort

Each week the content and discussion is interesting and consistent. Intro/music is a little lengthy.
GN Willmar Sub

Quality Podcast

Excellent conversations with interesting topics.
CCCCCWWWWWWW

Podcast fan

I just found the podcast yesterday from reading something on Twin Cities Model RR Club on Instagram. Love listening to the conversations of experience. Already on episode #5. 🚂🚂🚂🚂
Trmimo

A must for model railroaders.

This podcast is a must listen for model railroaders everywhere. Informative and fun with great chemistry amongst the cast. And don’t forget about Gruesome Casket Co.!
Gregamer

Outstanding

Really enjoyable with great personalities. I like the variety of topics and perspectives.
DesignerNailsDi

Fun group

Great model railroad chat. Enjoy the topics and banter.
Seals13

The Crossing Gate

Thought I’d check this podcast out after hearing about it on the Soo the Milwaukee Road you tube channel. Great podcast with interesting topics discussed by knowledgeable, well informed, and experienced model railroaders. Tom Gasior does a great job hosting the show.
WSampsonite10

What I’ve heard?!?

It far exceeded my expectations, good audio quality, knowledgeable modelers and the only gripe?!? Its over before it even gets started.