Episodes

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Joseph “Sepp” Scanlin – Museum Director for the U.S. Army Transportation Museum. Together they discuss the long relationship between the U.S. Army Transportation Corps and the American railroad industry going back to pre-Civil War days, as well as the U.S. Army’s use of railroading all over the world. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railr...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest John Doggett – Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, McCombs School of Business, Management Department. Together they discuss the state of the U.S. economy, inflation, debt, opportunities to improve, areas of growth, the potential impact of the upcoming presidential election, and what it all means for the rail industry. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your un...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Sarah Yurasko – President of the League of Railway Women (LRW). Together they discuss the League of Railway Women, how the organization is a resource for women and companies in, as well as those supporting the rail industry. They also discuss all that LRW offers including mentoring programs, scholarships, awards, networking, education, a career center, and corporate partnerships. Tune in to this ep...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Dave Ronzani – Director of Railcar Regulatory Compliance for AllTranstek. Together they discuss the enormous amount of regulatory oversight a certified tank car repair facility has from the DOT, PHMSA, FRA, BOE and AAR. They also discuss what it takes to receive and maintain a tank car repair facility certification including significant investment and training. Tune in to this episode to gain valua...

Welcome to the 1-Year Anniversary episode of the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by our very first guest of the podcast, Wendy Buckley, founder, president, and CEO of STARS HazMat Consulting. Together they discuss the importance of proper Hazmat training, understanding packing groups, placarding, and having the correct and current SDS. Wendy also provides updated information from the East Palestine, OH derailment from 02/03/23 regarding the remediation...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest John Schmitter, co-founder and CCO of RailState based in Quincy, MA. Together they discuss the advantages of embracing and utilizing modern technology in the railroad industry, including sharing some stories of how far technology has come in railroading, and where there are still some needs. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading. Y...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this our first episode of Season 2, our host Don Walsh, is in fact our guest on this episode as President & CEO of consulting and brokering firm, The Revolution Rail Group based in Conroe, TX. Producer John joins Don on this episode, and together they do a brief review of each podcast episode from Season 1 along with their thoughts and audience feedback, after which Producer John then interviews Don and they discuss Don’s background in the industry...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Tony Hatch, Senior Wall Street Transportation Analyst, Founder and President of ABH Consulting based in New York City, NY. Together they discuss railroading’s 2023 year in review, including everything from pending changes at the STB, to railroad safety and service improvements. Tune in to this final episode of Season 1 now to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railro...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by the man who gave him his start in the industry, guest Joseph F. Schieszler, Sr., Founder and Chairman of Rescar Companies, based in Downers Grove, IL. Together they discuss Joe’s journey from growing up in a small town near Cincinnati, OH., to the creation of railcar maintenance company Rescar; the formation of railcar fleet management, engineering, and technical services company AllTranstek; and the im...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Patty Long, President of the Railway Supply Institute (RSI), based in Washington, DC. Together they discuss the resources RSI provides the railroad industry as a whole, as well as services they provide for their members as a trade association, the jobs the railway supply industry creates, the impact the industry has on the U.S. Economy as well as an update on shipping LNG by rail tank cars. Tune i...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Ted Johnston, GM of The Broadmoor Manitou & Pikes Peak Cog Railway in Manitou Springs, CO. Together they discuss what you’ll experience on your fun rail excursion to the top of Pikes Peak on the Pikes Peak Cog Railway, as well as other Broadmoor adventures and locations you can enjoy while in the Manitou Springs, CO and Colorado Springs, CO areas. Tune in to this episode now to gain valuable insig...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Todd Tranausky, VP of Rail and Intermodal at FTR, based in Houston, TX. Together they delve into the U.S. Economy and rail’s role in it. They discuss rail’s long history of contributions to the U.S. Economy, give a deep-dive breakdown of our economy, as well as where the rail industry and our economy are today and indicators to look for regarding where we’re headed. Tune in to this episode now to ...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Denson White, CCO of APM Terminals, Pier 400 in the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach, CA. Together they delve into Supply Chain and the relationship between the American ports and rail. They discuss the important roles that both the ports and rail play in the Supply Chain process, as well as the short-term and long-term effects that the Covid 19 pandemic had on Supply Chain, and lessons learned. Tun...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Jimmy Rogers – Co-Founder, President and Executive Director of Boots for Troops. Together they touch on the history of the relationship between the U.S. military and the railroad industry, and they discuss the role Boots for Troops plays in boosting the morale of those deployed, as well as showing appreciation for our veterans. They also discuss a drawing the American Railroading Podcast and Boots...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh, is joined by guest Kari Gonzales, President and CEO of MxV Rail (formerly TTCI). Together they discuss the Research, Education, Technology and Training, including Firefighter and EMT safety and HAZMAT training, that MxV Rail brings to the railroad industry, as well as the immense amount of data MxV Rail has compiled over 30 years of research. They also discuss the company’s recent transition from TTCI to MxV Rail th...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode, we'll be discussing some fascinating insights about railcar maintenance, inspection and technology. We also will highlight the important role that wheel bearing inspection and monitoring plays in overall railcar safety. Did you know that railcar maintenance providers are considered a part of the railway supply industry, supporting approximately 240,000 direct jobs, and that for every 1 job in the railway supply industry, it creates...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast hosted by Don Walsh, founder, president, and CEO of The Revolution Rail Group, a railcar consulting and brokering company, which is the anchor sponsor for the podcast. Don shares his experience of how he got into the industry as a teenager and his journey to establishing a consulting and brokering company in the railroad industry. In this episode Don is joined by guest, Wendy Buckley, the founder, president, and CEO of Stars Hazmat Consulting. She has ...