The Naked Railroader - Going Off The Rails

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

3 days ago

42 min

Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at 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 

3 days ago

42 min

Aug 30, 2026

40 min

Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at 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 
 

Aug 30, 2026

40 min

Aug 2, 2026

40 min

Don’t forget to visit our sponsor at 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 

Aug 2, 2026

40 min

Jul 5, 2026

27 min

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 

Jul 5, 2026

27 min

Jun 21, 2026

25 min

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 

Jun 21, 2026

25 min

Jun 7, 2026

28 min

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 
 

Jun 7, 2026

28 min

May 24, 2026

43 min

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 

May 24, 2026

43 min

24 The Higher Ups

May 10, 2026

May 10, 2026

37 min

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 

May 10, 2026

37 min

Apr 26, 2026

34 min

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 

Apr 26, 2026

34 min

Mar 30, 2026

32 min

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 

Mar 30, 2026

32 min

Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Version: 20241125