98 episodes

Roundhouse Crosstalk is a Podcast hosted by the California State Railroad Museum located in Sacramento California. Our lives are made of railroad stories, and we tell the stories of the railroad through the stories of people. Roundhouse Crosstalk amplifies the stories of people whose jobs, experiences, and legacy intersect with the history of the railroad. This podcast is perfect for the train enthusiast, the history nerd, and those looking to understand our modern world a bit better.

Roundhouse Crosstalk CSRM

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.5 • 16 Ratings

Roundhouse Crosstalk is a Podcast hosted by the California State Railroad Museum located in Sacramento California. Our lives are made of railroad stories, and we tell the stories of the railroad through the stories of people. Roundhouse Crosstalk amplifies the stories of people whose jobs, experiences, and legacy intersect with the history of the railroad. This podcast is perfect for the train enthusiast, the history nerd, and those looking to understand our modern world a bit better.

    Modernizing Mobility: The Railroad and the Development of the Intellectual Disability Systems

    Modernizing Mobility: The Railroad and the Development of the Intellectual Disability Systems

    Join us for Roundhouse Crosstalk! In this episode we look at how the development of the intellectual disability system and the expansion of railroad networks intertwined. For this discussion we sit down with Elliott Simon author of "Hellbound Train: The Beginning of The Pennsylvania State Institutional System or People with Intellectual Disabilities" (https://muse.jhu.edu/article/862856).

    • 50 min
    Bid Whist on Board: The Pullman Porters' Card Game

    Bid Whist on Board: The Pullman Porters' Card Game

    Join us for another episode of Roundhouse Crosstalk as we explore the influence of Pullman Porters on the development of the popular card game, Bid Whist and discover the intersection of history, culture, and card games.


    In this episode we interview Lamont Jones author of "The Gist of Bid Whist" available now: https://www.amazon.com/Gist-Bid-Whist-Culturally-Rich-America/dp/B0CN319X34

    • 32 min
    Campaign Train: History of Whistle Stop Politics

    Campaign Train: History of Whistle Stop Politics

    Join us for Roundhouse Crosstalk!

    In this episode, we interview Edward Segal, author of the new book, 'Whistle Stop Politics.' We delve into anecdotes from some of the most famous campaign trains, the relationship between the press and candidates, and how the unique nature of railroad travel influenced political campaigns. Whistle Stop Politics releases on 2/13/2024.

    Pre-Order Whistle Stop Politics: https://www.amazon.com/Whistle-Stop-Politics-Campaign-Reporters-Covered-ebook/dp/B0CDJV4XTV

    • 32 min
    The Sleeping Car Porter: Reimagining History through Fiction

    The Sleeping Car Porter: Reimagining History through Fiction

    In this week's episode new podcast co-host Summer sits down with Suzette Mayr author of The Sleeping Car Porter, a historical fiction novel about Baxter a queer black Pullman Porter. Mayr's work helps audiences explore the role of the Sleeping Car Porters through the story of one fictionalized experience.



    The Sleeping Car Porter: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/61354631

    • 48 min
    California State Railroad Museum Holiday Special

    California State Railroad Museum Holiday Special

    Happy Holidays! In this episode of Roundhouse Crosstalk we enjoy three festive stories inspired by the railroad and the museum.

    Imagined and written by Emilie DeFazio.

    Produced, directed, and edited by Amanda DeFazio.

    Performed by Li Garcia, Alex Clark, Jake Jennerjohn, Debbie Hollingsworth, Amanda DeFazio, and Carl Hayes.

    Opening music written and performed by Lexi Snyder.

    Executive production by Jake Jennerjohn and Jason Rankins.

    This episode is for entertainment purposes. All characters and events appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, dead or alive, other real-life entities, or events, past or present, is purely coincidental.

    • 27 min
    Iron Giants: Chinese Railroad Workers and the Transcontinental Railroad Part 2

    Iron Giants: Chinese Railroad Workers and the Transcontinental Railroad Part 2

    Listen to Roundhouse Crosstalk!

    In this week´s episode we sit down with California State Parks Interpreter Debbie Hollingsworth to learn about the work of the Chinese Railroad Workers who built the western half of the Transcontinental Railroad. In this episode we discuss what happened after these workers built through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We discuss them helping the Central Pacific break the record for most miles of track laid in a single day, the legacy of these workers, and how we developed the Chinese Railroad Worker Experience Exhibit here at the California State Railroad Museum. 

    Come visit us to learn more with our Chinese Railroad Worker Exhibit!

    • 35 min

Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5
16 Ratings

16 Ratings

lizlovelight ,

Great context

Please, Host, stop saying “umhmm” or “wow” or “yeah” let your guest talk, you don’t need to say anything to encourage them. If you must, nod to them but don’t say anything. It’s soooo distracting. Don’t make a noise unless you’re adding to the conversation

Ichfarad ,

Less Political Propaganda pls

Just found this show. Listen to the latest episode, and I am very disappointed. Not much discussion about trains, mostly a woke professor doing what woke professors do. Private industry bad! Free market economics bad! White settlers bad!
You know, the usual leftist diatribe.

DarrylH ,

Politics!

Thanks for ruining railroading by making it woke. Typical leftist California drivel.

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