Rephonic
Artwork for Around The Layout

Around The Layout - A Model Railroad Podcast

Ray Arnott
Model Railroading
Iowa Interstate Railroad
Benton & Southern
Southern Tier Grain Modelers Supply
Freight Cars
Model Trains Manufacturing
Central Vermont Railway
Grimes Line
Model Railroader Magazine
Hills Line
Prairie Shadows
Grain Elevator Switching
Colorado Rail Proto Meet
N Scale
HO Scale
Portland, Oregon
Freelance Model Railroading
CB&Q
Kalmbach Media
Model Railroader

Join us as we bring you stories from model railroaders just like you. We talk to enthusiasts across the hobby and learn about their beginnings, challenges, accomplishments and ultimately what excites and motivates them. Come hang out with us Around The Layout and be inspired to create your own model railroading story to share.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes304Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
How ToHobbiesLeisureEducation

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Artwork for Around The Layout

Latest Episodes

Let's get down to business by talking business cars. Broadway Limited has been taking care of business in this category lately, and Curtis Koch from BLI comes by to tell us about their recent announcements at the Railroad Hobby Show that provides qui... more

ATLP Rewind - Episode Originally Released March 17, 2025

Want to know what the "Right-Sized Layout" is for you? Start with a mirror. That's just some of the advice shared by author and model railroader Thomas Klimoski. Tom wrote the book "Building T... more

ATLP Rewind - Originally Released February 11, 2025

On this month's Talking Ops with Don Irace, we're talking big operations with the owner of the BNSF Fall River Division, John Parker. John shares with us what it's like to prepare for and manage op... more

With thousands of operating sessions under his belt, Don Irace sure has a lot to share when it comes to hosting. On this episode, Don walks us through his workflow, starting with organizing the operating session and preparation that starts days befor... more

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Recent Guests

Curtis Koch
President/CEO of Broadway Limited
Broadway Limited
Episode: What's Happening In Model Railroading - Curtis Koch at Broadway Limited
Don Irace
Operator and host of Talking Ops, discussing model railroad operating sessions
Providence and Worcester Model Railroad layout (Sebastian, Florida)
Episode: Talking Ops with Don Irace - Planning Ops on the P&W
David Heyde
Model railroader with Central Texas Subdivision inspired by MKT
Self-described creator of the Central Texas Subdivision
Episode: David Heyde & The MKT Central Texas Subdivision
Tim Mills
Owner of US Z Scale, authorized dealer for American Z Line.
US Z Scale
Episode: Introduction to Z Scale with Tim Mills
Jordan Smith
A representative from Rapido Trains discussing new releases and trends in model railroading.
Rapido Trains
Episode: What's Happening In Model Railroading - Jordan Smith at Rapido Trains
Paul Stamp
Model railroader, enthusiast, and expert in the evolution of model railroading.
Episode: The Evolution of Model Railroading with Paul Stamp
Tom Garza
Owner of ScaleSigns.com
ScaleSigns.com
Episode: What's Happening In Model Railroading - January 2026 - Tom Garza At ScaleSigns.com
Tim Blackwell
Publisher of Cowcatcher Magazine
Cowcatcher Magazine
Episode: What's Happening In Model Railroading - January 2026 - Tom Garza At ScaleSigns.com
Radisson McGuire
Model railroading enthusiast and creator of Alabama Central railroad.
Episode: Radisson McGuire & The Alabama Central

Host

Ray Arnott
Primary host of the show, guiding interviews and discussions across layout design, operations, and hobby news.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 148 ratings
  • Best model railroad podcast available

    I am completely new to model railroading and this podcast has given me so much inspiration and knowledge. I listen to this podcast daily at work and it literally makes me feel as if I am in the basement in front of my layout. Thank you for everything.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Stephen milano
    United States2 months ago
  • Love the show

    The podcast focuses on the person behind the layout. I especially love the operations with Don Irace. I hope they do deep dives in operations. Like get Tony Koster on there to talk about train order operations. How does it work. What is the paperwork, the jobs, etc. it might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it is an option. Also can you get real railroaders on the show to talk about how the prototype do things. Get a yard master, head of operations (what are the real business concerns). G... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    James in Chicago
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best scale railroad talkshow available

    If you’re looking for updates on the hobby, fantastic interviews with people in the industry as well as everyday enthusiasts then this is the podcasts for you.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Quizinova
    Australiaa year ago
  • This podcast is something that I, as an armchair model railroader, have needed. It has given me inspiration, encouragement and knowledge in almost every aspect of model railroading. Ray is an excellent host, and his co-hosts are just as welcoming. Take a listen and get ready for a great journey.

    Audible
    5
    Amazon Customer
    United Statesa year ago
  • Every Model Railroader Should Listen In

    This podcast is something that I, as an armchair model railroader, have needed. It has given me inspiration, encouragement and knowledge in almost every aspect of model railroading. Ray is an excellent host, and his co-hosts are just as welcoming. Take a listen and get ready for a great journey.

    Audible
    5
    Amazon Customer
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Community-oriented episodes are highlighted as a strong point for sponsorship."
Listeners appreciate practical, budget-conscious guidance for beginners.
Fans praise the approachable deep-dives into operations and real-world layouts.
Audiences value the mix of guest expertise and hobby-focused news.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#71
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#138
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#144
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#46
Australia/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#131
Italy/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#219
Australia/Leisure

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

ATLP Rewind - Talking Ops With Don Irace - BNSF Fall River Division Ops with John Parker
Q: Is there a job on your layout you won't take, John, because you want to have that freedom to break away?
John explains that while he has done every job and believes in hands-on experience, flexibility exists as new operators join and different jobs become available; he emphasizes ongoing learning and stepping into roles as needed, rather than avoiding any particular job.
What's Happening In Model Railroading - Curtis Koch at Broadway Limited
Q: What inspires Broadway Limited to produce these business cars?
Curtis explains that inspiration comes from spotting gaps in the market, looking for unique, under-served rails and eras, and offering road-specific variations that allow modelers to recreate historically significant trains with authentic details.
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Planning Ops on the P&W
Q: What do you do if there are problems during the session that you want to document for the next one?
Capture issues by emailing notes to the host after the session, detailing what happened and what to check next time so the workflow improves; avoid delaying the current session by fixing on the spot unless absolutely necessary.
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Planning Ops on the P&W
Q: Or do you make it a continuation? How do you restart the whole thing back at zero?
All the way through, the approach is a full reset. If a session isn't completed, you still start anew rather than continuing from where you left off.
Talking Ops with Don Irace - Planning Ops on the P&W
Q: So when you do your switch lists, do you have to ensure that the previous operating session has been fully completed before you can redo the switch list?
The process is generally reset each time; most sessions are completed soup to nuts, and switch lists are regenerated for a fresh start, rather than continuing a partially completed run.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Around The Layout

What is Around The Layout about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on the model railroading hobby, with a steady focus on layout design, operations, prototyping, and real-world industry news. Episodes often feature hobbyists and professionals discussing practical building tips, how to run operations sessions, product developments, and event coverage, as well as affordable paths into the hobby. The conversations balance hands-on techniques (layout planning, scenery, DCC systems) with broader themes like community, storytelling, and evolving technology (3D printing, online resources), making it a valuable listening companion for both newcomers and seasoned builders. A notable strength is the ability to pair deep, actionable insights with behind-the-scenes industry context, and to spotlight ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Around The Layout?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Around The Layout:

1. Second Section Podcast
2. The Crossing Gate. Model railroad discussion.
3. a ModelersLife
4. Iron City Roundhouse Report
5. The Roundhouse

How many episodes of Around The Layout are there?

Around The Layout launched 4 years ago and published 304 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Around The Layout?

Recent guests on Around The Layout include:

1. Curtis Koch
2. Don Irace
3. David Heyde
4. Tim Mills
5. Jordan Smith
6. Paul Stamp
7. Tom Garza
8. Tim Blackwell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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