Proto-Future and the Beginner's Guide to Model Railroading

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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.

Recent Episodes
  • BGT Episode 26: Structures
    Apr 30, 2025 – 00:36:53
  • BGT Episode 25: [Railroad History Miniseries 5] Mid-Atlantic Class IIs
    Mar 31, 2025 – 00:30:36
  • Proto-Future 8: I heart New York???
    Feb 28, 2025 – 00:43:52
  • BGT Episode 24: Q&A 4, Requiem
    Jan 31, 2025 – 00:45:30
  • Proto-Future 7: Interview with Tom Barbalet
    Dec 31, 2024 – 01:10:02
  • Proto-Future 6: It's up to us now
    Nov 30, 2024 – 00:38:06
  • PFP Bonus 1, 2024 Election Rerelease, G4 Imitates Noah Lugeons
    Nov 1, 2024 – 00:06:07
  • BGT Episode 23: [Railroad History Miniseries 4] Mid-Atlantic Class Is
    Nov 1, 2024 – 00:40:39
  • Proto-Future 5, Part 4: Inaugural Borealis, Day 4 – Metra Montage
    Oct 7, 2024 – 01:48:53
  • Proto-Future Bonus 2: Episode Catchup, Madison Takedown
    Sep 3, 2024 – 00:21:46
  • Proto-Future 5, Part 3: Inaugural Borealis, Day 3 – Dignitaries Car
    Jul 24, 2024 – 02:20:48
  • Proto-Future 5, Part 2: Inaugural Borealis, Day 2 – Minneapolis Speedrun and the Twin Cities Model Railroad Museum
    Jun 25, 2024 – 02:25:36
  • Proto-Future and Beginner's Guide Trailer
    Jun 3, 2024 – 00:05:48
  • Proto-Future 5, Part 1: Inaugural Borealis, Day 1 – Keystone, SEPTA, Airport Philosophy, and the Metric System for Sounds
    Jun 2, 2024 – 02:03:59
  • Proto-Future 4: G4 Buffet: Lewistown, Layout Diary 1, and the Grocery Store
    Apr 30, 2024 – 00:58:49
  • BGT Episode 22: Scenery Part 3: Pedosphere Part 2: Trees, Water, Ballast, and Details
    Mar 31, 2024 – 00:45:08
  • Proto-Future Prologue 3: Rochester, MN
    Feb 28, 2024 – 01:28:37
  • BGT Episode 21: Scenery Part 2: Pedosphere Part 1: Dirt and Foliage
    Jan 21, 2024 – 00:28:42
  • Proto-Future Bonus 1: G4 Imitates Noah Lugeons
    Dec 27, 2023 – 00:06:07
  • Proto-Future Prologue 2: G4's Story
    Dec 27, 2023 – 00:43:07
  • BGT Episode 20: Q&A 3
    Nov 24, 2023 – 00:30:52
  • Proto-Future Prologue 1: The Manifesto
    Oct 15, 2023 – 00:30:52
  • BGT Episode 19: [Railroad History Miniseries 3] Railroads of Southern New England
    Oct 6, 2023 – 01:14:17
  • BGT Episode 18: Scenery Part 1: Terrain (Lithosphere) Building, and Springfield Presentation Update
    Jan 18, 2023 – 00:43:41
  • BGT Episode 17: [Railroad History Miniseries 2] Railroads of Northern New England
    Jun 6, 2022 – 01:02:12
  • BGT Episode 16: Bonus Essay: Westworld
    Oct 14, 2021 – 00:39:21
  • BGT Episode 15: Track Laying, Part 2
    Jun 19, 2021 – 00:39:21
  • BGT Episode 14: [Major Railroads Miniseries 1] A History of North American Railroading
    Nov 28, 2020 – 00:29:18
  • BGT Episode 13: Track Laying, Part 1
    Oct 24, 2020 – 00:24:52
  • BGT Episode 12: Listener Questions 2
    Jun 10, 2020 – 00:28:04
  • BGT Episode 11: Benchwork!
    Jan 23, 2020 – 00:34:09
  • BGT Episode 10: Terminology, Tools, and Trainiacs
    May 30, 2019 – 00:54:27
  • BGT Episode 9: Prototype Research (Track Planning Workshop, Part 3)
    Dec 16, 2018 – 00:28:14
  • BGT Episode 8: Listener Questions 1
    Sep 17, 2018 –
  • BGT Episode 7: Designing for Space (Track Planning Workshop, Part 2)
    Jul 24, 2018 – 00:50:36
  • BGT Episode 6: Designing for Operations (Track Plan Workshop, Part 1)
    May 6, 2018 – 00:50:58
  • BGT Episode 5: The Beginner's Bible
    Apr 16, 2018 – 00:28:05
  • BGT Episode 4: Train Sets and DCC
    Apr 5, 2018 – 00:28:05
  • BGT Episode 3: Scale and Gauge
    Mar 22, 2018 – 00:25:58
  • BGT Episode 2: Introduction to Model Railroading
    Mar 7, 2018 – 00:20:34
  • BGT Episode 1: I'm Baaaaaaaaack!
    Feb 19, 2018 – 00:21:44
Recent Reviews
  • 828292929292
    About extremist political beliefs, not trains
    Used to be a model railroading podcast, now a place where the creator rants about his crazy political beliefs. Hates all Christians even more open minded ones like myself and is also antisemitic, believes that all conservatives should kill themselves, Hates all cars (Even electric ones for some reason) hates all boomers, hates anyone who sets their model railroad pre 2010s and says they are “glorifying a racist era” and is just hypocritical in general. Giving two stars because of how great the podcast was before it got political
  • Robots walk the earth
    Model railroading with a conscience
    This is one of the few model railroad podcasts I listen to. I am absolutely here for its unapologetic stance and thought provoking episodes. I support via Patreon and suggest you do the same. Every episode of “Proto Future” is worth listening to and if you are just starting out in the hobby then I suggest you go back to the beginning and listen to all the episodes of BGtMRR. If you have any interest in modern transit or ideas about a fully rail served and car free society than I implore you to listen to this podcast.
  • BNSF 533 productions
    Q and A
    I have a layout under construction Ryan
  • T.Nashwills
    Good information
    I am just starting model railroading, and this show has really good information. However, the very informative presenter throws his voice and it makes everything he says sound arrogant and it made it hard to want to listen to. I’m truly appreciative of the information, but I think you’d sound so much better in a normal speaking voice instead of the way you present. I mean no insult, just being constructive.
  • Mammon1836392
    Hmm
    Oh, the people calling people snowflakes and screaming “freedom of speech” are the same people whining about someone expressing their political opinion… Interesting… Great show!
  • The right margin text
    Seems good, well stated
    I find the content very well thought out and even though it is read after having been written out I’m sure, it really doesnt feel like it takes away from anything. While I like a casual podcast, I think they do such a great job, I don’t miss the casual feel of mostly unscripted podcasts. As for views expressed within, if you get offended by them, you should probably think carefully within yourself. Also, lighten up.
  • UP SD70ACe 1983
    Q&A #2 question
    Where will you most likely find CSX?
  • Techn0Nut1996
    Good show but not perfect.
    Great information and very well presented but the host is a little pompous and the intros are unnecessarily long. Despite the flaws I still listen happily as new episodes release and I enjoy them. Keep up the great work John!
  • Sunshine Dave
    Don’t waste your time.
    He has some knowledge about railroads. He goes on and on about politics. He hates cars, baby boomers, any University not named Penn State and anything east of Philly for that matter.
  • Bobknobs
    Ehhh
    Some good info. If this child could reframe from his political opinion it would be nice. No one wants to hear a 21 year old with zero life experience giving his political commentary. Do you see a diversity problem?
  • Jriddle80
    Keep it model railroad based
    Great podcast till it got political let’s get back to model trains please
  • PSP501
    Disappointed
    I was a subscriber and really enjoyed the series until episode 13, right before the 2020 General Election where he goes off on a profanity laden tirade at the end. I enjoy my hobbies because they take me away from the realities and pressures of life for a short time. I think John needs to mature just a little bit. Outside of his University life, people are allowed to have different opinions, yet still get along. Telling those who do not follow your political leanings that “they don’t deserve the air they breathe” does nothing to add to the enjoyment of the hobby. It makes you sound very immature. I gave a 2 star rating because I liked the Model railroading content, but cannot forgive the profanity and political posturing.
  • FritoLaies
    Very good show
    Awesome stuff well worth subbing and unfortunately one of the last to be uploading shows
  • Wdstauter
    Very helpful
    Great information for beginners. Friendly and responsive on the Facebook page.
  • MI-Free
    Very useful for a beginner
    I have listened to most episodes at least twice. Good information, however you need to hang on as it is delivered with a fire hose.
  • Palitos73
    Entertaining and useful
    Host is very easy to listen too, very useful information presented in a nicely flowing manner.
  • goodguyseatpie
    Informative and host is a hoot
    This guy makes me laugh, sometimes intentionally, sometimes unintentionally. Information presented is clear and useful! Western music break are a little long.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.