Proto-Future and the Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading
Proto-Future and the Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading
G4
This is a joint feed for the Beginner’s Guide to Model Railroading (BGT) and the Proto-Future Podcast (PFP), a fresh take on model railroading which covers modern transit, intercity passenger rail, and walkable, climate-just, and racially equitable urban environments.
Proto-Future 18: How to model Modern Transit, Part 1: What is Modern Transit Anyway?
In part one of this three-part series, I explain the recent history and political implications of modern transit, being: walking, bicycling, busses, streetcars, trams/straßenbahnen, light rail, stadtbahnen, tram-trains, DMUs, heavy rail subways, schnellbahnen/RERs, intercity rail, long distance/night trains, High-eR Speed Rail (HRSR), and HSR, High Speed Rail.
Jun 30
48 min
BGT Episode 28: Operating your Model Railroad
Everything you need to know to begin operating on your, or any model railroad. CTC, ABS, Timetables, Train Orders, Car Cards, and Waybills are all exhaustively, thoroughly, and clearly explained.
May 31
38 min
Proto-Future 17: Interview with Tyler Trahan Part 2
Part 2 of an interview with modeler savant, Tyler Trahan, talking about passenger trains, modeling, politics, news, and urbanism.
Apr 30
1 hr 20 min
PFP Bonus 4: Autism in STEM
A bonus narration of my sole-author peer-reviewed scientific literature review.
Mar 31
27 min
PFP Bonus 3: Transit is Not Euclidean, a Mini-festo
A bonus discussion on urbanism, advocacy, and completely banning cars.
Mar 15
17 min
BGT Episode 27: [Railroad History Miniseries 6] Mid-Atlantic Class IIIs
This episode covers the history of the Class III shortline and narrow-gauge railroads in the Mid-Atlantic Region, including the Camden and Amboy, Ma&Pa, and Surry, Sussex, and Southhampton..
Feb 28
28 min
Proto-Future 16: Interview with Lucid Stew on High Speed Rail Politics
A discussion on Low, Higher, and High Speed Rail, infrastructure politics, and Lucid Stew's history and growth as a creator.
Jan 31
1 hr 30 min
Proto-Future 15: How to Ride Amtrak Part 2: Reserving and Riding a Train
Part 2 of how to ride Amtrak, finding a train, understanding service classes, booking a ticket, waiting at the station, and the onboard experience, recorded from the Coast Starlight.
Dec 31, 2025
36 min
Proto-Future 14: Interview with Tyler Trahan Part 1, Urbanism, Train Clubs, Railroad Museums, and Equity
Part 1 of an interview with modeler savant, Tyler Trahan, covering his history in model railroading, museum, and steam railroading, and his thoughts on virtual modeling, club inclusivity, and public outreach.
Nov 30, 2025
1 hr 16 min
Proto-Future 13: How to Ride Amtrak Part 1: The Entire Timetable
Part 1 of how to ride Amtrak, giving a brief history and describing the destinations and operations of every single route on the timetable, recorded onboard the Sunset Limited.
Oct 31, 2025
1 hr 15 min
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