Podcast

The Naked Railroader - Going Off The Rails

Hobbies, Leisure

I became fascinated by trains as a young’un when I saw my first steam locomotive and train being used on a movie set in Inglewood, CA. I have worked on 4 railroads for over 40 years and I have a lot of stories to tell. Trains would always be a part of my life, even after I retired as an Amtrak Engineer in 1994. I have also worked on the tech side in live theater for more than 20 year, most of them with my wife, Susi who is the actress. I will be sharing these stories with you as well every so often.

Episodes
34
Releases
Every two weeks
Typical length
34 min
On air since
2025
Latest episode
1 week ago

Episodes

34 episodes, newest first

  1. 34 A Caboose Full Of Nuts And Stolen Tuna

    Episode 34

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that. Use the code MBBH1ST for 10% off your first purchase!

    Today talks about things that come in when he's out bullshitting with he guys at The Coffee Cup Cafe in Boulder City.

    http://www.worldfamouscoffeecup.com/

    https://youtu.be/2V1Z9yA37ZQ?si=DixCy1MAcAxgF5IE (Hand signals by Yours Truly!)

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    40 min
  2. 33 The Sonora Adventure Part 3

    Episode 33

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that. Use the code MBBH1ST for 10% off your first purchase!

    We finish up our three part series on Sonora, Railtown, and the Rose Garden.

    https://www.railtown1897.org/visit/general-information

    https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=552 (Columbia State Park)

    https://www.goldenspikerailroading.com/ (Corona, CA)

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    45 min
  3. 32 The Sonora Adventure Part 2

    Episode 32

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that. Use the code MBBH1ST for 10% off your first purchase!

    Dad continues to tell his stories about Sonora, Railtown, and his favorite restaurant Perkos/Barrows.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    39 min
  4. 31 The Sonora Adventure Part 1

    Episode 31

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that. Use the code MBBH1ST for 10% off your first purchase!

    After Dad and Mom retired, they decided to go on a new adventure. Ashland, Oregon was at the top of their list until they read an article about Sonora, California. Little did they know what was in store for them over the next 18 years. Dad talks about Railtown, Sierra Rep Theater, and of course Perkos.

    Things we talked about in this episode:

    Gray's Inn Morro Bay https://www.graysinnandgallery.com/

    Sierra Repertory Theater https://www.sierrarep.org/

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    42 min
  5. 30 The Tehachapi Earthquake of 1952

    Episode 30

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that. First purchase is 10% off with the code MBBH1ST.

    Today, talks about how they rebuilt the Tehachapi route after many parts of it were destroyed in an earthquake in 1952. He also shares possibly the the first story about a naked railroader.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    41 min
  6. 29 Quirks of the Railroad

    Episode 29

    Show notes

    Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at http://woodfireroasted.com to sign up for their newsletter, try their Cowboy roast, which is what I drink every day, and maybe check out their coffee of the month club. Melissa does that, but she’s fancy like that.

    Today, Tommy talks about some humorous things that have happened on the railroad. From missing the depot completely because of a beautiful woman to cars falling off the tracks. He even tells the story, again, about the fight in the aisle of the train after an Angels game. I think he likes that story!

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    40 min
  7. 28 A Kerfuffle on the Santa Fe

    Episode 28

    Show notes

    Most of the time, things on the Santa Fe go very smoothly. The story that dad shares today is one time it did not.

    We also talk about the famous picture that many people have seen of the Santa Fe engine hanging out over Aliso Street. It is the photograph that The Original Whistle Stop model train store uses for their advertisements.

    Please check out our NEW SPONSOR! We drink their Cowboy Roast every day!

    https://woodfireroasted.com/

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    28 min
  8. 27 Listener Question about Tehachapi Tunnels

    Episode 27

    Show notes

    Dad clarifies why they couldn't turn the trail around near Tehachapi and shares what it was like going through those tunnels backwards.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    25 min
  9. 26 More Railroad Characters and Some Nudity!

    Episode 26

    Show notes

    Please support our new sponsor! https://woodfireroasted.com/

    Sign up with their newsletter to find out about the freshest way to buy and drink coffee. Their coffee is roasted in small batches mailed straight to your door right after roasting! Hand-crafted in Reno, Nevada for 25 years. Make sure to try their Cowboy Roast!

    Dad continues on with more characters he came across during his time on the railroad.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    28 min
  10. 25 We're going to Disneyland

    Episode 25

    Show notes

    Today, Dad talks about visiting Disneyland the day before it opened. He also shares how he almost took a job there.

    We did forget to go back to my question about the train at Disneyland. I asked him if it was a real train or if it was made specifically for the park. His answer is this: They were built new for Disneyland but I don't know who built them. The Knott's Berry Farm trains are real one from the narrow gauge train equipment haul to California from the Rio Grand Souther Railroad from Durango, CO. (Dad's friend George Sapp worked on them at Knott's for quite some time)

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    44 min
  11. 24 The Higher Ups

    Episode 24

    Show notes

    In the last episode, I talked about some of the characters on the railroad. In this episode, I'll talk about the characters that were the "higher ups" in the company. They aren't all bad.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    37 min
  12. 23 Characters on the Railroad

    Episode 23

    Show notes

    Working on the railroad for over 40 years, you meet a lot of people. Here are some of my favorites.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    34 min
  13. 22 The Desert Wind And My Good Friend Peter Robinson

    Episode 22

    Show notes

    Today, I talk about the utterly boring Union Pacific run from LA to Las Vegas. Well, I did get to meet a dragon, learn what to do with a run away train, drink Dr Peppers with Frank Sinatra Jr., and I met one of the most amazing friends I've ever had, Peter Robinson. I'd like to dedicate this episode to him.

    Episode 17 Colorado Blvd. and the Rose Parade https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-589qf-1a0ad02

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    33 min
  14. 21 The Union Pacific And Their Damn Red Flags

    Episode 21

    Show notes

    Tommy talks about qualifying to work on the Union Pacific section of the Dessert Wind. He also tells a typical Tommy story about a Red Flag.

    32 min
  15. 20 How Did You Learn How To Run An Engine?

    Episode 20

    Show notes

    Once you take all the written and oral tests or attend Choo Choo U, you are qualified to run a train. But how do you actually learn how to make it move? Today, Tommy shares how he learned to actually run a train, both Steam and Diesel.

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    30 min
  16. 19 Third Time's A Charm

    Episode 19

    Show notes

    Tommy received a question from a listener:

    Why did you become a Santa Fe locomotive engineer three times and were the procedures and examinations the same each time?

    Intro and Outro: Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    41 min
  17. 18 A Day With Engineer Barney 1953

    Episode 18

    Show notes

    Tommy tells a story of winning over the heart of one grumpy engineer.

    32 min
  18. 17 Colorado Blvd and the Rose Parade

    Episode 17

    Show notes

    Many people watch the Rose Parade on TV and we know that a lot of work goes into this event. Most people don't know that there is an active railroad track that goes right across the parade route.

    Tommy tells us about getting the track parade ready and spending time with his grandmother at the parade.

    49 min
  19. 16 All Aboard The Polar Express!

    Episode 16

    Show notes

    Tommy and Susi volunteered for almost 20 years at Railtown in Jamestown, California. For five of those years, they worked on the Polar Express, Tommy as a conductor and Susi as the Hobo. It made for long, exhausting days, but it was worth every minute.

    Today, they share memories together of the time they spent putting this epic event together. Dad, of course must tell all the technical details, while mom and I want to share our memories of the fun times!

    55 min
  20. 15 And That's Show Biz!

    Episode 15

    Show notes

    Tommy continues to share his experiences and reveals who he liked working with the most.

    #MitzyGaynor #SammyDavisJr #LeslieUggams # Liza #BillCosby #Rockettes #SteveMartin #BottomsUp #GaylordAndHoliday

    Intro and Outro:Sounds of Santa Fe Steam Locomotives by Stan Kistler Track 14 At Riverside, October 16 1950, 4-6-2 1369 is on No. 54

    41 min