By Railfan & Railroad Staff

Three veterans of railroad preservation have launched a new podcast to discuss the many challenges facing the industry. 

The “Ahead of the Torch” podcast is hosted by Rob Davis, TJ Gaffney, and Kelly Lynch. It will feature in-depth interviews and roundtable discussions “aimed at creating a comprehensive resource to arm the industry with tactical advice and insight.” The first episode aired online in February. 

“Everyone knows what’s wrong in our industry, but the conversations about how to fix anything is fractured,” said Kelly Lynch, executive producer for the series. “The pandemic laid bare the inadequacies not only in our industry but in our tutelage and stewardship. It’s common to pile on when we see failures, but the truth is, there is no Rail Preservation 101 and few useful resources that can be learned from or observed outside of the aftermath of something harmful.”

“Ahead of the Torch” was first an online journal created by Davis back in 1992 to chronicle the preservation industry. More recently it became a Facebook group with more than 8,000 members. While that group is active, Gaffney said the podcast provided a way to have a more organized conversation about rail preservation. 

“Social media and dedicated forums are great for in-the-moment action, but conversations are easily buried and lost to time, there is no repository for this knowledge,” Gaffney said. “We have a unique world where hobbyists and professionals are all vying for the same outcomes but with drastically different methods and very few honest conversations. Because our industry is so packed with emotion, it becomes difficult to professionalize or evolve. Many groups, collections, and museums are at risk, and we hope these conversations can be a lighthouse for anyone setting sail.”

For more information, visit aheadofthetorch.com and subscribe at youtube.com/@aheadofthetorch.