Episodes

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this our first ever Christmas Special our host Don Walsh is joined by guests and Texas country music chart-toppers Payton Riley and Bubba Westly. Together they discuss the long history and connection between trains, music and Christmas, as well as sharing favorite Christmas songs and Christmas memories. Payton Riley and Bubba Westly also perform several live and unplugged songs on the episode including each of their own newly released Christmas son...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Eamonn Patrick, Transportation Specialist, Standards and Rulemaking, for the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). Together they discuss who PHMSA is, what PHMSA does, and they do a deep dive into several pending and proposed rules including HM-264 regarding the shipping of LNG by rail tank cars and the recent HM-265 docket issued 10/28/24 ...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Crystal Blasius, Director of Safety Investigations for Amtrak. Together they discuss the importance of everyone following safety guidelines when around trains with a focus on railroad crossings. They also discuss Operation Life Saver and some of the scenic trips you can take on Amtrak. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading. You can ...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Nigel Bennett – Treasurer for the Illinois Railway Museum (IRM) in Union, IL. Together they discuss the history of the 100-acre Illinois Railway Museum, their history, vast and expansive exhibits, extensive libraries, educational opportunities, and amazing seasonal events for the whole family to enjoy. Also, at the end of the episode Don is joined by co-founder, president and CEO of Boots for Troop...

Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Tim Schaffer – Regional Sales Manager for PPG Industries. Together they discuss the importance of railcar coatings, along with a deep dive into the overall paint and lining processes, including everything from surface preparation and training to the finished product. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading. You can find the episode on...

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...