 |
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
We are now about two weeks from the convention so the clinics are pretty well set. Click here for the clinic schedule. |
|
Clinics on non-rail subjects
Clinician: Janie Burdette Title: Collecting Old Books...and More! Description: Janie has always loved to read and enjoys antiques. The two interests merge with a visit to an antique or used book store or a library sale. She will discuss the old book clubs, authors, inscriptions, the beautiful artwork, and numerous other aspects of searching out and obtaining old books (and sometimes new ones) along with pamphlets, storage, cataloging, and related subjects.
Clinician: Bev Young Title: Pocket Placemats, etc. Description: Bev takes her love of quilting into many areas. She will demonstrate how to make pocket placemats which have a place to hold your napkin. There will be kits available afterward for the ladies to experiment with. A number of other projects will be on display to stimulate ideas on enhancing one's home decor. Clinics on rail related subjects
Clinician: Gerry Albers Title: AC/DC/DCC Description: A good primer for both uninitiated and experienced DCC users. A brief discussion of DC and AC technology lays the foundation for discussing popular NMRA-compliant DCC systems. “DCC wiring basics” puts the user on the “right track”. Information is presented concerning various manufacturers’ DCC cab bus architectures, a factor in choosing a system. Planning for and selecting occupancy detectors introduces signal system concepts, the topic of the “Signals By Spreadsheet” clinic that follows.
Clinician: Gerry Albers Title: Signals By Spreadsheet (SBS) Description: Follows the introductory AC/DC/DCC clinic with an integrated hardware/software signal system description. Based on lessons learned from developing Allen McClelland’s original V&O signal system, the “average” model railroad will be able to implement sophisticated interlocking and signal systems. Simple spreadsheets are used for “programming” within the SBS software. The DCC cab bus is used to communicate with a PC, eliminating the need for additional wiring. A live demo drives the point home.
Clinician: Gerry Albers Title: Designing the Deepwater District with CAD Description: The advantages, disadvantages, and benefits of using Computer Aided Design (CAD) to design and build a model railroad are presented. This clinic is pragmatic in nature and includes construction tips, lessons learned and pictures of the semi-finished railroad. The topic of “what to look for in a CAD program” is addressed, followed by a “live” demonstration of CADrail 8. A list of all known (to the author) current CAD products is provided.
Clinician: Pete Birdsong MMR Title: Logging: Concepts for Design and Operation of Logging Model Description: This Clinic is based on the book Logging, The Principles and General Methods of Operation in the United States, by Ralph Clement Bryant, 1913, recently reprinted by the National Model Railroad Association, with a pictorial representation of the Fernwood Lumber Company On30 Model Railroad, as presented in the May/June 2009 issue of The Narrow Gauge and Short Line Gazette.
Clinician: Pete Birdsong MMR Title: Logging Disconnects: Building a Fleet in Your Scale Description: This clinic is a presentation of a how-to article submitted to Scale Rails for publication; It features step-by-step photographs and text to build logging disconnect cars, with tables of materials and dimensions for multiple scales.
Clinician: Andrew Blenko Title: Streetscapes: Modeling Public Works Infrastructure Description:
Clinician: Frank Bongiovanni Title: Laser Kits for Klutzes Description: Tips and techniques tailored to those with less than optimal skills for assembling laser cut structure kits to build usable models for their layouts. Includes thoughts on paint, color, and perception.
Clinician: Frank Bongiovanni Title: Comparison and Contrast of the Motive Power of the Three Pocahontas Railroads Description: A look at the motive power choices, steam, diesel, and electric, of the Norfolk and Western, Chesapeake and Ohio, and Virginian. This clinic will include a look at available models.
Clinician: Mike Brestel Title: C&O Coal Lines thru the 1980s Description: This clinic looks at the scenery, structures, rights-of-way, operations, and equipment on the C&O’s West Virginia coal branches (called subdivisions by the C&O) in West Virginia, from the post-World War II era until the beginning of CSX in the mid-1980s.
Clinician: Mike Brestel Title: Meet the President Description: Come and ask NMRA President Mike Brestel any question you want about the NMRA.
Clinician: Dick Briggs MMR Title: Cheap and Easy Trees and Backdrops Description: Demonstration of techniques to produce scenery from the track on back. One method of painting backdrops using materials from the local paint store and developing background scenery to blend with the painted backdrop. Quick and easy trees from natural materials and easy roadways from the hardware store.
Clinician: Jack Brown Title: Modeling the Western Maryland Railroad Description: Jack’s clinic will focus on the operations and facilities of the Western Maryland RY in Cumberland, MD, Ridgeley, WV and MD Jct. Both prototype and model images will be used to illustrate the layout construction process from concept, through design and construction. Modeling in HO scale, Jack has recreated several scenes from the area featuring MY tower, the MD Jct engine facilities and the Cumberland passenger station. Locomotives and freight cars on the WMRY are representative of the pre-Chessie era.
Clinician: Gary Burdette Title: Modeling the C&O Description: The author of Modeling the Chesapeake and Ohio will examine how to approach the study of building a railroad through research, field trips, and historical society membership. He will present several projects as well as many completed scenes by numerous noted C&O modelers from around the country.
Clinician: Gary Burdette Title: Kit Building, Kit Bashing, and Scratch Building Cars, Locos, and Structures Description: From around the age of eight Gary, like most of us, began building models. At ten, he built a conveyor from wooden cotton swabs, a tongue depressor and electrical tape. Articles in Model Railroader inspired him. Over the years he has tried a variety of materials and techniques. This clinic will discuss these trials and errors, crazy ideas, and how to challenge yourself to take on the various projects of the Achievement Program.
Clinician: Chuck Davis MMR Title: Dual-magnet Uncoupling Description: The clinic describes the installation and use of small cylindrical magnets for uncoupling. This system offers a cheap, reliable and unobtrusive method of uncoupling, which can be used in any scale and which significantly improves operating a layout. Methods to improve uncoupling reliability will also be discussed.
Clinician: Bob Dawson Title: Arbegust Street Branch, a Railroad You Can Model Description: Modeling the Pennsylvania Railroad’s Arbegust Street Branch in Louisville, Kentucky. The Arbegust Street branch is an urban industrial branch line that has been in operation from the 1880’s to today. The program covers the operations, equipment, and industries on the branch through the years, and suggestions on how it could be built as part of a larger layout or stand alone switching layout. Bob will also cover the resource materials he used to research the history and industries on the branch, and offer suggestions for researching your favorite railroad.
Clinician: Keith DeVault Title: The Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad Description: This clinic will give an overview on the history of the Morgantown and Kingwood Railroad and the M & K junction at Rowlesburg. The M & K joined the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Rowlesburg, providing goods to consumers East to Baltimore and West to St. Louis. The clinic will review how the railroad led to the development of Morgantown and surrounding communities from the turn of the century to the early 1970s.
Clinician: Jerry Doyle Title: Dieselization of the C&O Description: The author of Chessie System Diesel Locomotives and Chesapeake and Ohio Diesel Locomotives in Color 1949-1971 will discuss the need for change and the process by which the C&O converted their extensive steam roster into the diesel era, almost kicking and screaming.
Clinician: Jerry Doyle Title: Early Diesels Description: Many of us model the steam-diesel transition era and often only think of the 1950s. Jerry will take us back in time to the 30s when diesels were first considered to be a viable alternative to steam.
Clinician: Jerry Doyle Title: Second Generation Diesels and Beyond Description: As dieselization took over the Nation’s rail lines proving to be successful from and engineering and economic perspective, it was only natural that improvements and advancements would continue. Jerry will discuss how 2nd generation locos continued this progress.
Clinician: Gerry Fitzgerald Title: “Extra South”: War Time Operations on the Chesapeake &Ohio’s Olby Branch, 1944 Description: The unprecedented expansion of the American economy during World War II provides modelers with numerous and exciting possibilities for prototype based modeling for model railroads of all sizes and scales. The Olby Branch, a medium sized HO layout in a modified one-car garage, combines the advantages of Class One railroading within the scenic confines of a once sleepy but now burgeoning single track branch line. Analysis of layout design and industrial and regional history are presented as a case study for other modelers to ponder and apply to current and future layout projects. Special emphasis is placed on the historic evolution of the chemical and textile industries in the southeast during the war, industries that provide very different examples of wartime changes to the area.
Clinician: Gerry Fitzgerald Title: Water Supply, Purification and Engineering Practice on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, 1900-1945 Description: Most modelers are aware that the hills, mountains, and valleys of the nation created a seemingly never ending series of civil engineering challenges for railroads as the country embraced industrialization during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is less well known that as steam technology evolved, the water powering locomotives presented railroads with mechanical engineering and infrastructure problems that were just as complex. The history of American railroad approaches to water purity and engineering will be reviewed against a detailed study of how the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway adopted a more scientific and economic approach to water engineering during the first decades of the 20th century.
Clinician: Dick Flock Title: Easy Prototype Structures Description: Using actual photos, this seminar will suggest ways to kitbash or scratch build some easy structures. The presenter will suggest kits that can be used for these structures.
Clinician: Clint Foster Title: Choreographing Railroad Operations Description: In his articles, "The Art of Model Railroading," Frank Ellison described the layout as a stage, the trains the actors, and the operations the play. Clint, a veteran band director, orchestrates operations on his New River Subdivision of the C&O with just this in mind. Time table running to the beat of a "fast clock" assures the crack passenger trains, the "George Washington," the "Sportsman," and the "FFV" along with the hot manifests the "Expeditor" and the "Speedwest" make it over the line on time. The local "Fanny" and "Doodle Bug" clickety-clack up the hollow, while the coal drags, the 'sweeper", and the "Horn" operations deliver the black diamonds and freight. An innovative train information sheet Clint has developed helps direct the traffic just as his marching patterns helped the band put on their "show." Research-based, operations simulate the real C&O.
Clinician: Bob Frankrone Title: Operations on the Louisville Southern Lines Description: If you think you can’t operate your layout...think again. In this clinic, Bob discusses how he transformed his LSL layout into an operating layout long after it was designed and built. He presents a short history of the layout; describes the cities, towns and industries; and diagrams the LSL route map. Bob explains his requirements for model railroad operation, the constraints his layout poses, and the mechanics of an operating session on the LSL.
Clinician: Bob Frankrone Title: Open Loads Description: This clinic has been updated with plenty of new pictures and modeled loads. A real crowd pleaser, this clinic appeals to the beginner as well as the seasoned model railroader. Learn how to create interesting loads using commercially available products and kits. If you enjoy open loads, you will not want to miss this clinic.
Clinician: Dan George Title: Spring Creek Logging Railroad Description: Most of us view oil painting, pencil sketching, or sculpting as art. For Dan, the creation of a model railroad is art for he uses all these media and more in his modeling. He will discuss everything from dressing up a kit to completely scratch building and everything in between to help accomplish the look he is after.
Clinician: Eric Hansmann Title: Upgrading Freight Car Models to Reflect Prototype Practices Description: A review of prototype specific details to add to a steam era freight car fleet, with recommended research sources and techniques on how to add these details.
Clinician: John Harris Title: Scenery Techniques the Alleghany and New River Road Description: Simplified methods for Scenery using foam, plaster cloth, rock castings, ground foam and polyfiber as modeled on the Alleghany & New River Road.
Clinician: John Harris Title: Turnout Controls on a Budget Description: Simplified method of controlling turnouts and provide position indicators without expensive electronic interface utilizing micro mini switches and 12 volt LEDs
Clinician: Carl (Bob) Johnson Title: What Is G Scale? Description: This clinic is for scale model railroaders who may be interested in “large scale”. We will discuss the problem of different scales on the same gauge track and bring examples of manufacturers’ 40’ and 30’ boxcars for you to compare. One half of the 200 slide clinic will concern the construction of a successful outside layout. This method of construction emphasizes long term stability and minimum maintenance
Clinician: Ed Keith MMR Title: Log Cars I Have Known Description: Ed will show slides and models of various styles of cars with descriptions of model manufacturers and prototype histories.
Clinician: Larry Madson Title: Layout Wiring Myths and Realities Description: This clinic will discuss layout wiring principles as applied to both DC and DCC. The clinic will include how to block your layout, wire sizes, recommendations for DCC boosters, etc., plus a discussion of “DCC friendly turnouts”. A question and answer period will follow the formal presentation.
Clinician: Greg McCartney Title: Make Computer Generated Decals Description: A discussion on artwork preparation and custom printing of model railroad decals including a brief tutorial on the use of Corel Draw and Inkscape.
Clinician: Dan Mulhearn Title: Running Those Blue Box Kits Description: How to make "good enough" but good running cars to fill in your fleet. This is model railroading 101 but it is amazing what reliable runners these old "goodies" can be. Come on, get em off your shelf and on to the layout.
Clinician: Larry Richards Title: Details on the Cheap Description: - Larry is well known as a detail “hound” not only in our area but as one who has been commissioned to build models for both commercial ventures and private individuals. Whether he pulls from a flea market “find” or rummages through a commercial kit, or simply fabricates a part out of nothing, the wealth of details is his trademark. He will describe his methods and techniques from painting to weathering and kit bashing to scratch building.
Clinician: John Roberts MMR Title: Modeling Newport News, VA 1971-1975 in (2-rail) O Scale Description: The Past President of the NMRA presents the research, layout design, and construction of an O Scale model railroad depicting the operations of the C&O railway at Newport News, VA. This is for anyone interested in port operations, as it includes many vintage photos of the prototype, and how many of the scenes are selectively compressed into the layout. Don't let the "O Scale" size influence your decision to attend or not - much of what you will see in the presentation is "scale neutral". This is an update to the presentation in Anaheim and at the MER regional convention.
Clinician: Jim Rollwage Title: Passenger Operations on the Denver Pacific Description: Jim is planning and building a layout to support prototype passenger train operations using original timetables, track diagrams, and switching instructions. The emphasis is on Union Pacific operations around Denver but the methods could be applied to any railroad.
Clinician: Bill Sartore Title: New Ideas For Structure Lighting Description: In this clinic I will describe ways of lighting structure models that add interest to any structure or scene. Armed with a soldering iron, some basic electrical principles, and a little imagination, we will learn how to use both large and small LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) to add life to any ordinary structure model.
Clinician: Neal Schorr Title: Line Poles and Pole Lines Description: Line poles, more commonly referred to as telegraph or telephone poles, were found along almost all mainline railroads through at least the 1980s. Many are still in use today. The collective assemblage of line poles, wires, and right-of-way upon which they were built is known as the pole line. This clinic looks at how prototype line poles were built and how they were installed on the pole line. The clinic will then turn its attention to how to accurately model them on your layout using commercially available kits in several scales. Neal's work on this subject and others has appeared in Model Railroad Planning 2007 and How to Build Realistic Track.
Clinician: Howard Smith MMR Title: Modeling a Mountain Railroad Description: Howard will discuss the research, planning, designing, and building of a mountain, shelf-type model railroad. B&O fans will note Cumberland, “The Narrows,” and the steep climb as multiple Fs, EM-1s, and “Wagon Top” cabooses thunder over the Allegheny Mountains on Howard’s line.
Clinician: Jesse Smith Title: Chessie's Steam Turbine Locomotives of 1948 Description: They were the largest passenger locomotives ever built...capable of turning coal into horsepower by putting steam through a turbine and sending electricity to traction motors, diesel electric style, except using coal for fuel rather than oil. Chessie's three Turbines were C&O's gallant attempt to save the coal industry in a world about to fall to the diesel. But, as the pet project of the Chairman of the Board, when things didn't work out mechanically, financially, operationally, corporate politics only muddied the truth. Author/researcher Jesse Smith has spent three decades researching Chessie's Turbines, the result of which is this seminar.
Clinician: Steve Summers Title: Trestles of the Virginian Railway in West Virginia Description: The Virginian Railway was built through the mountains of southern West Virginia one hundred years ago. The Virginian main line was built with many spectacular bridges and high trestles, some of which can still be seen along highways in the area. Others are hidden and almost inaccessible without a determined effort to find them. This clinic is a photographic journey to all the larger (over one or two spans long) bridges and trestles beginning at the Virginia state line all the way to the Kanawha River bridge at Deepwater.
Clinician: Charlie Venable Title: Wiring Oregon Signals Description: This clinic will show the installation of LEDs in the Oregon Rails Signal Bridge and the wiring of the LEDs to allow for track detection of power circuits to operate signals.
Clinician: Donald Wilke Title: Model Photography Description: Many MCR members know that Don is the one who often takes photos of the region's model contest winners and is a "camera buff" to boot. An avid photographer, he will describe his techniques and offer tips on how you can improve the pictures you take adding another aspect of enjoyment to our hobby.
|
|