
Advertise on podcast: The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.
Rating
4.8from
This podcast has
90 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Twin Cities Division NMRAExplicit
No
Date created
2021/01/20
Latest episode
2026/01/29
Average duration
41 min.
Release period
32 days
Description
Discussion of model railroading and operations.
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Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. podcast
#89 - Starting over
2026/01/29
In this episode, we discuss starting over on your layout building with Neil Maldeis. Neil is an NMRA MMR who moved to a new home and started over from scratch. Ken Zieska talks about starting over on his basement empire, but not removing the entire layout, just starting over scene by scene.
Operations play a big role in the planning and development of a new layout, and upgrading an older basement filler.
Neil Maldeis MMR, Ken Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR are featured in this episode.
Our sponsor is Winter Weather for your train show.
#88 - Scratchbuilding for fun
2026/01/03
This episode we discuss scratchbuilding. Why we do it, and what tools we use.
David Hamilton MMR, Mike Jordan, and Thomas Gasior MMR, discuss the ways scratchbuilding can get us those one of a kind structures.
This episode is sponsored by The Model Railroaders who don't like changes in the hobby.
#87 - N scale modeling 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, Greg Terhaar, and Thomas Gasior MMR make up the dicussion panel.
Our sponsor this episode is the one of the many FORBIDDEN words of Model Railroading. FINISHED!
#86 - Layout Improvements
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.
#85 - Narrowing your modeling focus.
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.
#84 - Modeling tips to show a specific place and time
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.
#83 - Project priority. Choosing what projects to work on next.
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.
#82 - It's not where you start, but where you end - Operations
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.
#81 - Changes for the better
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".
#80 Participating in an OPSIG weekend
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, or the kids.
#79 - April edition of What's on our workbench
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 Zieska, and Thomas Gasior MMR.
Our sponsor for this episode is the MAKE ONE FOR ME guy.
Plus, our usual outtakes and bloopers.
#78 - Having fun with operations
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.
#77 - Operations Weekends - The Hosts
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.
#76 - Keeping busy during operations.
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 MMR
We are sponsored this episode by "The Sleep Inducing Clinic".
#75 - Running the Evanston N-Scale FreeMo/T-Trak set up
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 layout by Timetable and Train Orders.
Podcast reviews
Read The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion. podcast reviews
fRg9 2024/07/19
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...
barcbjtc 2024/09/02
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 ser...
Conductor JoeV 2023/09/22
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 ...
Canalligators 2024/01/06
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 ...
Jere Ingram 2022/08/21
Great Discussion
Great discussion of the current state of Free-mo.
Jake Etling 2022/06/23
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 gen...
GN Willmar Sub 2021/09/25
Quality Podcast
Excellent conversations with interesting topics.
Ericpolish 2022/02/11
Solid effort
Each week the content and discussion is interesting and consistent. Intro/music is a little lengthy.
CCCCCWWWWWWW 2021/08/26
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...
Trmimo 2021/08/13
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 Gru...
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