StackTalk

Rail Brothers

5.0 (3)
HOBBIES
UPDATED MONTHLY

The podcast about "big trains, small trains, old trains, new trains and everything in-between". Join the Railbrothers, a pair of videographers and photographers with a passion for trains, explore the world of trains. Here they talk about the hobby of model railroading, railroad photography, railway preservation, as well as transit and current railroad news.

FEB 23

Season 3 Ep. 2 The Union Station March Madness Selection Show

Which North American Union Station reigns supreme? Join Billy and Dan (The Railbrothers) as they whittle down a massive list of over 180 stations to the "Final 32" for our upcoming bracket tournament! From architectural icons to hidden regional gems, we're ranking them on history, train volume, and—most importantly—pure vibes. In This Episode: The "Union" Definition: Dan breaks down why these collaborative hubs were unique to North America and the era when they dominated the landscape. The Ranking Criteria: We balance the objective (trains per day, survival status) with the "vibes" (architectural beauty and... the presence of rats in the gift shop). The Tournament Reveal: We start the countdown with heavy hitters like Toronto Union and several regional favorites. Cast Your Vote!The tournament begins March 1st! Follow us on Instagram and Facebook to vote in the daily polls and help crown the champion. #Railbrothers #Stacktalk #UnionStation #MarchMadness #TrainHistory #Architecture #Railfans

1h 54m
FEB 1

Season 3 Episode 1: The Amherst Show (Railway Hobby Show)

Billy and Dan recap their first visit to the Amherst Railway Hobby Show on this episode of the StackTalk podcast. They discuss the logistics of the trip, exhibiting T-Trak modules with the Upload Express Modelers, and walking through one of the largest collections of operating model layouts in North America. Along the way, they talk about what distinguishes Amherst from smaller regional shows and why its value lies more in conversation and connection than in purchases. StackTalk is a podcast about railroading, modeling, and the spaces where hobby, craft, and community overlap.

1h 5m
11/10/2025

Season 2 Episode 10 : Railfan News

The Railbrothers break down the latest in U.S. rail: Amtrak’s new Acela II, the Portal Bridge rebuild, Gulf Coast service updates, SEPTA’s funding troubles, and their continuing bad luck chasing steam. News, analysis, and plenty of railfan humor—all in one episode!

1h 11m
10/15/2025

Season 2 Episode 9 : Part 2 — Operations on Model Layouts

We’re teaming up once again with the Model Train People podcast for Part 2 of our special collaboration on model railroad layouts! In Part 1 (over on Model Train People), we explored the railfanning side — scenery, presentation, and capturing great shots. https://www.audible.com/pd/B0FW5HSW39?source_code=ASSGB149080119000H&share_location=pdpIn this episode, we’re taking things a step further with operations — how to make your layout run like a real railroad. From switchlists and yard jobs to dispatching, locals, and hotshot freights, we talk about what makes a great operating session and how to balance realism, fun, and flow. If you’ve ever wanted to bring purpose and personality to your trains, this one’s for you. 🎧 Check out Part 1 on Model Train People to complete the series! #ModelRailroading #TrainPodcast #Operations #StackTalk #ModelTrainPeople

1h 25m
09/07/2025

Season 2 Episode 8 :The Different Kinds of Railfans | Trainspotting & Railfanning Hobbies Explained

Join Bill, the photo brother, and Dan, the video brother, on this episode of Stack Talk as they dive deep into the diverse world of railfans! Whether you're a train enthusiast or just curious, you'll discover the many "flavors" of railfanning that go beyond just watching trains. In this episode, we discuss:The Documenters: From serious photographers and videographers who capture trains for posterity, to dedicated trainspotters who log every detail. The Riders: People who prioritize the experience of riding trains, seeking out special "rare mileage" trips on unique routes. The Historians & Collectors: Those who study railroad history, search for remnants of old rail lines, and collect memorabilia. The Modelers: Fans who recreate the world of trains in miniature. The "Lazy Boys": The joy of simply sitting and watching trains go by. We also talk about the gear we use, the unspoken rules of a photo line, and some of our own experiences in the hobby. Leave a comment and let us know: What kind of railfan are you?

1h 14m
07/23/2025

Stacktalk with the Railbrothers S2 Ep 7 Updates on our Train Layouts

In this episode, the Video Brother (Dan) and the Photo Brother (Bill) discuss their current model railroad layouts they are working on. Dan shares his progress on his "Spaghetti & Western" layout, which is a big spaghetti bowl of N scale Kato Unitrack that will roughly simulate something like the NEC, involving 3-4 levels of track. Bill shares his version of the classic "Inglenook Shunting Puzzle" (aka a switching puzzle for us yanks), which is designed to be a small, simple layout that can easily be transported and is being built on a door! The brothers couldn't be working on more opposite train layouts!

1h 29m
05/06/2025

#11 : Train Nicknames

On this episode of Stacktalk with the Railbrothers, Bill and Dan discuss the different nicknames that railfans and crews have given to different railroad engines. Locomotives discussed are the HHP-8 (Hippo), AEM-7 (Toaster), Geeps, and more! Of course, it's hard to stay on track, so the conversation wanders from there!

1h 13m
04/03/2025

#10 : NOLA and Northern

The Video Brother and Photo Brother are back with a special trip report episode! 🎙️ This time, we’re covering two unique rail adventures—one through the lively streets of New Orleans and another aboard a luxury northern rail experience. From classic trains to unexpected discoveries, we break down the highlights, mishaps, and best moments from the journey! 🛤️ Timestamps:New Orleans Streetcars: Reading & Northern Railroad: 👕 Check out our merch: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Railbrothers👍 Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share! What are your favorite rail travel experiences? Let us know in the comments!

1h 10m

5

out of 5

3 Ratings

The podcast about "big trains, small trains, old trains, new trains and everything in-between". Join the Railbrothers, a pair of videographers and photographers with a passion for trains, explore the world of trains. Here they talk about the hobby of model railroading, railroad photography, railway preservation, as well as transit and current railroad news.

Creator

Rail Brothers
Years Active

2023 - 2026
Episodes

17
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Rail Brothers
Show Website

StackTalk