Notch 6 Podcast

The Notch 6 Podcast Episode 62. The fifth night of the LCCA convention in Boston. Tonight I recap the days events with Al Kolis, plus an interesting discussion about the LCCA Junior Membership program. The feature interview tonight is with the Lionel Director of Marketing Mike Phillips. He helps answer the question of "What is Lionel doing to reach a new generation?". We talk about train shows, licenced product, and more.  

The Notch 6 Podcast Episode 61. Night four at the LCCA National convention. Tonight we chat with Al Kolis about the local impact that the LCCA makes on the host city. Our feature interview tonight is with Mike Reagan from Lionel. He'll update us on Lionel accessories, power for your layout, new tricks with the Station Sounds diners, and more. 

The Notch 6 Podcast Episode 60. Night three at the LCCA National convention. Tonight we chat with Al Kolis about the LCCA and how it makes the convention family friendly with a variety of tours and how convention attendees get a historical overview of each city they visit. Our feature interview tonight is with Roger Farkash from TW Trainworx. We discuss project updates from the past few months,  and Roger gives you tips to help you build your layout like a pro.

The Notch 6 Podcast Episode 59. Night two at the LCCA National convention. Tonight we chat with Al Kolis about the LCCA switching tracks traveling boxcar and how it can come to your home layout! Our feature interview highlights the enormous layout built by The Boston Metro Hi Railers. You'll hear about some of the challenges they have overcome and unique items they have worked into their layout. 

The Notch 6 Podcast Episode 58. It’s the first night of the 45th Annual Lionel Collectors Club of America annual convention. We’ll look at the week ahead at the convention with co-host Al Kolis and chat with Ed Boyle from O Gauge Railroading Magazine. We'll be discussing how technology affects the value of our model trains. This is a facinating topic with some view points that you may not have considered. 

In this episode of Notch 6, Joey Ricard from Trackside Scenery joins us to discuss some pratical and easy tips to bring your senery up to the next level. Everything from backdrops, to rocks, chalk weathering, and small details are covered in this show. If you're frustrated with trying to understand more advanced scenery for your model railroad, this episode is for you! 

Norfolk & Western 611 returns to active mainline service this week for the first time in almost 21 years. We catch up with Cheri George and Scott Lindsay from the Fire Up 611 campaign as they discuss their history with 611 and the current program. Trains Magazine editor Jim Wrinn also joins us for his thoughts on the resurrection of this amazing locomotive. If you have an interest in 611 this episode is for you! 

In this episode of Notch 6 I talk about a big road trip that we have coming up at the end of May to see Norfolk and Western 611. I'll also share about my experience chasing N&W Y6a 2156 through Indiana.  The bulk of this show is a very exciting announcement, my largest project ever and it involves Madison Hardware. Plus, we'll revisit my interview with Richard Kughn former owner of Lionel. 

Mike Reagan and Matt Ashba from Lionel Trains stop by to fill us in on all the exciting news from Spring York 2015. Items include track and power, a Legacy LCS announcement, HUGE LionChief Plus announcement, and a special 115th Birthday surprise. Do not miss this episode!

Andy Edelman Vice President of Marketing from MTH Electric Trains visits Notch 6 to talk about the MTH 2015 Volume Two catalog. Topics in this episode include Railking steam and diesel,  discussion on Premier steam and diesel locomotives, a run down of all the new features and locomotives in the catalog, updates on the MTH DCS app and much more. Visit MTH Trains to read along in the catalog as you listen.

Notch 6 Episode 52- Eric Siegel of Ericstrains.com stops by to chat about his incredibly successful Youtube channel and website dedicated to O gauge trains. Eric has been instrumental in introducing many new people into the hobby through his O gauge product reviews, scenery tutorials, and more. We'll also discuss his wonderful layout, and some of his favorite products from the last year.  

Bruce Greenberg of Greenberg publishing fame stops by to talk about all things Lionel collecting. We'll discuss the history of Greenberg publishing, the methods for finding and catagorizing toy train vartiations, how to get started collecting and more. Bruce also will discuss his new book on Lionel Standard Gauge and will shed some light on one of the best known Lionel origin stories. 

It's time for the first of the 2015 O gauge catalogs! Lionel has released four brand new catalogs and Notch 6 is the first to bring you the news of this catalog directly from Lionel.  In this special episode we talk with Lionel's Matt Ashba and Mike Reagan about all the new products in this catalog. We touch on everything from scale diesels, to J3A Hudsons, 21 inch passenger cars and more.  We also cover new Lionchief and Lionchief+ sets, starter sets, and American Flyer. We suggest listening to the show while you browse the new catalog at Lionel.com There are details in this episode that you won't find anywhere else!

Notch 6 Episode 49- We start 2015 off with one of the most recognizable names in O gauge trains. MTH founder Mike Wolf will join me to discuss 35 years in business at MTH. We cover everything from his early days working for Jerry Williams, to the creation of the DCS command system, and plans for the future. This is an exciting and positive interview that will get you fired up about O gauge trains. 

It's time for my FAVORITE episode of the entire year. The Notch 6 Christmas SPECTACULAR! This year we have two great stories for you.   The Main Event: Lionel's Field Marketing Manager Bill Wander joins me to discuss exactly what it takes to keep the Lionel Holiday layouts running in New York City. We cover everything from planning, to set up, to maintenance. Bill also shares about what he keeps in his tool bag to service these layouts which run over 9 hours a day. He'll also tell us about some of the funny stories that have occurred while working around these layouts.   The Big Elf from Concord RETURNS: Mike Reagan returns to put some gift wrapping and a bow on the Vision Line Big Boy. You'll get the latest update on shipping times, the process of final assembly and more. We also discuss unlocking some less known features in these new Legacy engines such as the Big Boy, Berkshires, diesels and more.    We'll conclude with a portion of the program that is quickly becoming a Christmas tradition with a few new

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us here at Notch 6. We're kicking off the 2014 holiday season with an episode that is sure to give you some ideas for the holidays. We have special offers for you from The Madison Poster Company and Ken Bianco Jr. from Trainworld stops by as we discuss some O gauge ideas for holiday gifts and how Notch 6 can save you some money! Be sure to check out: The Madison Poster Company and Trainworld

Notch 6 Episode 46- In this episode Disney Historian and Author Michael Broggie visits with us. Michael is the son of the original Disney Imagineer Roger Broggie and author of the book Walt Disney's Railroad Story. You'll hear about Disney's love for trains both big and small, plus stories of growing up riding Walt Disney's Carolwood Pacific Railroad in his back yard. You'll also hear a great story about Pixar cheif creative officer John Lasseter and his role in the Disney railroad story. If you love trains or Dinsey history then this episode is for you! 

Notch 6 Episode 45- In this episode I travel to Michigan to interview former Lionel owner and President Richard Kughn. I sat down with Mr. Kughn in his train room and we chatted for over an hour about Lionel Trains, Madison Hardware, the LCCA and more. There are stories about his time running Lionel and his thoughts on the past, present, and future of the O gauge hobby. Mr. Kughn is a true legend in the hobby, and it was a pleasure to speak with him. Special thanks to The Lionel Collectors Club of America who helped to arrange this meeting. Video from this interview will be posted at a later date on the LCCA website.