American Railroading Podcast

About American Railroading Podcast

Discover the fascinating world of American railroading with the American Railroading Podcast. Join host Don Walsh, a seasoned industry professional with over 25+ years of experience, as he explores a wide range of topics related to the railroad industry, from regulatory items and the challenges our industry faces to passenger rail excursions and recognizing U.S. Armed Forces Veterans in our industry. From the latest news and trends to insider stories and interviews with experts, each episode is packed with insights and information that will delight both casual enthusiasts and serious railroaders alike. Tune in and join the journey.

Publisher

American Railroading

Category

leisure · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

25 Mar 2023

Latest episode

30 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

43 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Sept 2026

   Fun Rail Excursions with Patriot Rail's Katie Roller and Amy Welsh

   Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guests Katie Roller, Chief External Affairs Officer for Patriot Rail, and Amy Welsh, General Manager of the Gettysburg Railway, a Patriot Rail company. Together they discuss the history of Patriot Rail, their services and short line railroads, and then do a deep dive into their 4 railway excursions and 3 railway bike excursions, including the Gettysburg Railway, the Blue Ridge Railway and Blue Ridge Rail Bikes, the Granite State Railway and Lincoln Rail Bikes, the Winnipesaukee Railway and La Conia Rail Bikes, and much more! Don also announces the new Platinum Sponsor of the podcast at the beginning of the episode, and he announces the winner of our 4th Annual, Honor our Heroes Award at the end of the episode. Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading! You can find this episode and more on the American Railroading Podcast's official website at www.AmericanRailroading.net (http://www.AmericanRailroading.net) , and watch our YouTube Channel at the link below. Welcome aboard! KEY POINTS: The American Railroading Podcast is ranked in the Top 5% of all podcasts in the world, now downloaded in 100 countries, on 45 different platforms! Don announces the new Platinum Sponsor during his opening monologue. Patriot Rail is the first railroad guest on the American Railroading Podcast! Founded in 2006, Patriot Rail now owns 31 short line railroads across the United States, as well as 4 railway excursions and 3 railway bike excursions. Katie Roller takes us through the history of Patriot Rail, and shares what differences she sees having worked with both Class 1 and Short Line railroads. Amy Welsh shares how the Gettysburg Railway began and takes us on a virtual tour of what an excursion on the railway is like, and shares how their events intertwine with the city of Gettysburg for historical events, Halloween, Christmas, an apple festival, scouting events and more! Katie then takes us through the Blue Ridge Railway and Blue Ridge Rail Bikes, the Granite State Railway and Lincoln Rail Bikes, the Winnipesaukee Railway and La Conia Rail Bikes, some of which have self-propelled bikes! Both Katie and Amy give our audience lots of great information regarding Patriot Rail’s many fun rail excursion options as fall arrives and the holidays approach! The winner of the 4th Annual, Honor our Heroes Award is announced at the very end of the episode, after “My Two Cents”. If you like what we do, please leave us a 5-Star Review…and please Share the episode! LINKS MENTIONED: https://www.americanrailroading.net (https://www.americanrailroading.net) https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com (https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com) https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX) https://www.GBRX.com (https://www.GBRX.com) https://www.enviroserve.com (https://www.enviroserve.com) Don Walsh | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-walsh-76452911/) https://www.PatriotRail.com (https://www.PatriotRail.com) Patriot Rail | Scenic Rail Excursions (https://patriotrail.com/services/scenic-rail-excursions/) https://www.Boots4Troops.org (https://www.Boots4Troops.org)

2. 

   4 Sept 2026

   Railroad Regulatory Update with Chuck Baker – President of the ASLRRA

   Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Chuck Baker, President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA). Together they discuss a multitude of pending rulemaking and bills in Washington DC that will impact short line railroads and/or Class 1 railroads including 49 CFR, Part 246 regarding signal employees; the Surface Transportation Bill due to expire 09/30/26 and the pending Build America 250 Act that, if passed, would replace it. They also do a deep dive into the Railway Safety Act and its Sections including Inspections, Defect Detection Systems and Safer Tank Cars, their pros and cons; as well as short line railroading news, events and much more! Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading! You can find this episode and more on the American Railroading Podcast's official website at www.AmericanRailroading.net (http://www.AmericanRailroading.net) , and watch our YouTube Channel at the link below. Welcome aboard! KEY POINTS: The American Railroading Podcast is ranked in the Top 5% of all podcasts in the world, now downloaded in 100 countries, on 45 different platforms! Don advised that the deadline to nominate your favorite U.S. Armed Forces veteran in the rail industry for the 2026 Honor our Heroes award is 09/14/26. Please send all nominees to info@Boots4Troops.org (mailto:info@Boots4Troops.org) . Details are in the episode. Founded in 1913, ASLRRA proudly represents the entrepreneurial owners and operators of short line and regional railroads throughout North America. These approximately 600 small businesses play a vital role in the hub-and-spoke transportation network, often providing the first-mile/last-mile connection between farmers and manufacturers and the ultimate consumer. Congratulations to Justin Broyles, President & CEO of R.J. Corman for being named Chairman of the ASLRRA Board of Directors. The ASLRRA has a Veterans Engagement Award, given out to a railroad each year who supports veterans in the workplace and community, as well as attracts veterans through hiring practices. The short line industry has achieved a new safety record in 2025, according to data from the Federal Railroad Administration. ASLRRA announced that of the 418 member railroads that earned a 2025 “Jake Safety Award”, a record-breaking 371 short lines earned a “Jake with Distinction” for zero reportable injuries in 2025. In an article published August 13, 2026 at www.ASLRRA.org (http://www.ASLRRA.org) , it stated that the ASLRRA joined the American Association of Railroads (AAR) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in comments supporting the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA’s) proposal to rescind the rulemaking 49 CFR-part 246, regarding signal employees, in its entirety. Chuck gives his feedback on portions of the proposed Build America 250 Act, including grant programs and appropriations, as well as proposed increases in truck sizes and weights, and their potential impact. Don and Chuck review the Railway Safety Act’s 17 Sections, focusing on Section 105 for Inspections, Section 107 for Defect Detection Systems and Section 110 for Safer Tank Cars, which includes an accelerated Class 3 Flammable Liquids Phase Out Schedule to DOT 117J, 117P and 117R tank cars with an accelerated proposed deadline of 12/31/27. If you like what we do, please leave us a 5-Star Review…and please Share the episode! LINKS MENTIONED: https://www.americanrailroading.net (https://www.americanrailroading.net) https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com (https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com) https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX) https://www.enviroserve.com (https://www.enviroserve.com) Don Walsh | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-walsh-76452911/) https://www.ASLRRA.org (https://www.ASLRRA.org) https://www.Boots4Troops.org (https://www.Boots4Troops.org)

3. 

   24 Jul 2026

   The State of U.S. Oil & Gas with Todd Staples – President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association

   Welcome to the American Railroading Podcast! In this episode our host Don Walsh is joined by guest Todd Staples, President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association (TXOGA). Together they discuss the current state of the U.S. oil and gas industries; oil and gas pricing, how it is determined and by whom; the reason gas prices fluctuate state to state; the short-term and potential long-term impacts the closing of the Strait of Hormuz will have on the U.S. oil and gas industries due to the war in Iran; the reason why oil prices have increased, but not as high as projected; the very important role the rail industry plays in the oil & gas supply chain; the growth of both U.S. oil and LNG exports, how that helps U.S. allies and the potential impact on the rail industry; and much more! Tune in to this episode to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of American Railroading! You can find this episode and more on the American Railroading Podcast's official website at www.AmericanRailroading.net (http://www.AmericanRailroading.net) , and watch our YouTube Channel at the link below. Welcome aboard! KEY POINTS: The American Railroading Podcast is now ranked in the Top 5% of all podcasts in the world! Don shared how he met 4-time Super Bowl Champion and Army veteran who served and was severely injured in the war in Vietnam, Rocky Bleier of the Pittsburgh Steelers at the recent Boots for Troops, Boots and Suits Gala in Houston, TX where Rocky was the Keynote Speaker. Prior to becoming President of the Texas Oil & Gas Association, Mr. Staples served in public service for many years including as a City Councilman, a Texas State Representative for District 11, a Texas State Senator for District 3, and as the 11th Texas Commissioner of Agriculture. The Texas Oil & Gas Commission is a statewide trade association representing every facet of the Texas oil and gas industry, including small independents and major producers. Todd and Don break down many myths about the oil and gas industries, starting with how oil and gas prices are determined, and not determined. Mr. Staples explains why he believes that U.S. Energy Security means National Security. Don and Todd discuss the continued war in Iran, the re-closing of the Strait of Hormuz, its impact on the U.S. oil and gas industries, and the potential impact on the rail industry. Todd explains the importance of oil and gas in our daily lives, and gives us incredible data that may surprise you! The Texas Oil & Gas Association has their own podcast called TXOGA Talks, hosted by their President, Todd Staples. Please check them out at www.TXOGA.org (http://www.TXOGA.org) . If you like what we do, please leave us a 5-Star Review…and please Share the episode! LINKS MENTIONED: https://www.americanrailroading.net (https://www.americanrailroading.net) https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com (https://www.therevolutionrailgroup.com) https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast (https://www.youtube.com/@americanrailroadingpodcast) https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX (https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dwalshX) https://www.enviroserve.com (https://www.enviroserve.com) Don Walsh | LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-walsh-76452911/) https://www.TXOGA.org (https://www.TXOGA.org) https://www.RockyBleier.com (https://www.RockyBleier.com) https://www.Boots4Troops.org (https://www.Boots4Troops.org)

Who has been a guest on American Railroading Podcast

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Kate Suprenuk
• Jeff Necciai
• Payton Riley
• Bubba Westly

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

2,875

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

19 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

18 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 52 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

44

Social presence

0

YouTube

74

Engagement

77

Contact American Railroading Podcast

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about American Railroading Podcast