The Twin Cities Division of the NMRA is producing a model railroading podcast called The Crossing Gate. There are six episodes published so far. You can find it on your favorite media outlets. Links provided below. 

Here is the latest episode. 

There, I fixed it. 

I received a neat toy from NixTrainz. It is their Decoder Buddy Light Test Board. It goes on the Decoder Buddy V5 and it has built-in LED's. The LED's will duplicate your programming. This will allow you to check your lighting functions before putting the shell back on. 

The new video is out. A quick installation of DCC into the Atlas Alco Century C-424/425's.The Classic series has a nice motherboard, but I needed a modern one with capabilities to connect a Current Keeper and lighting functions.

I use a NixTrainz Decoder Buddy V5, A Soundtraxx 21 PNEM with a Current Keeper. An iPhone speaker provides the sound. It was an easy installation and I only had to modify the rear weight and the plastic towers that held up the Atlas Motherboard. 

I asked the Facebook group Twin Cities Model Rails if anyone would be interested in a virtual layout tour? I was approached by William Sampson, another local modeler, to ask if he could help. William is a graphic designer and he is a natural with camera work and editing. ( Check out his two YouTube Channels )

We Both signed on for the first week's show with our friend Daniel Lindfors. It was received is a positive manner and other layout owners have been stepping up to show us their work via Facebook Live feeds on Friday nights. 

I’m building a resin kit from Island Model Works. It is of a CBQ gallery commuter car-coach. On one end, it has two tiny windows instead of a window of the usual size. I’m trying to figure out why. Is it a bathroom or conductor room? 
If there are any CBQ/BN/BNSF/METRA commuters or commuter rail fans that know, please inform us. Here are some photos I have found online showing this tiny window. This is NOT a cab control car. 
Extra points if you can let me know the car numbers of these particular coaches. Thanks in advance. 

I was recently contacted by the officials and owners of the Robert B. Hill Salt Company. They had found my MRH Blog about the building of their car. This is the story that ensued and the gifting of the model to the company and it's amazing owners and staff.

The Splitrock Mining Company promised free candy to the entire town for this year’s Halloween party. 
Now, someone needs to tell the guy in charge of purchasing the meaning of ‘bite sized’ candy. 
Happy Halloween everyone. 
 

The Mill is a free ezine for those that model heavy industries such as steel mills and its support lines. This issue features my Splitrock Mining Company, an amazing Mill layout from down under and more. Please check it out and the Facebook group. Donald Dunn is the publisher and creator. 

http://www.smm.stahlbahn.de/themillvol3num4.pdf