Adventures in 3D Printing
An introduction to the latest model railroad 3D resin printing technology. Produce high-quality vehicles, structures, and scenic details for your layout. This clinic features real-world examples of digital model development, focusing on best practices to ensure successful 3D prints. Design software, digital modeling, and how to get the most out of your slicing software and model supports to produce high-quality 3D models are covered. Printing limitations and avoiding pitfalls are explained.
Creating Operations on the Louisville Southern Lines – Bob Frankrone
If you think you can’t operate your layout…think again. In this clinic, Bob discusses how he transformed his Louisville Southern Lines (LSL) layout into an operating layout long after it was designed and built. He presents a short layout history; 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.
DCC Reversing Demystified – Allan Gartner
DCC reversing continues to frustrate model railroaders. This clinic aims to change that. I will explain what reversing is, how to determine you have or need one (or more) reversing sections, how to plan for it, what you need to do to your track, how to wire a reversing section, and how to make sure it is working properly. A survey of available products will be given. Coordination of reversing sections, electronic circuit breakers, and Frog Juicers will be covered. Finally, how to deal with adjacent reversing sections will be discussed.
High Tech, Low Cost DCC – Steve Todd
Using modern technology such as smart phones, RaspberryPis and Arduinos can significantly drop the initial cost of entry into DCC Model Railroading without giving up high functionality. Specifically, we’ll demonstrate and discuss EngineDriver, DCC-EX, servos, Digitrax LnWi, MRCWiFi, WifiTrax, RaspberryPi, PiSPROG, bluetooth remotes, and who knows what else……
How to Add a Scene to a Layout in 15 Easy Steps – Bob Frankrone
Unless you are one of the few model railroaders who have a finished railroad, there is a good chance you have some areas on your layout void of any scene or scenery. This clinic will demonstrate how easy it can be to create a nice looking scene, regardless of one’s skill level. Watch as Bob converts a three-square-foot plywood prairie on his layout into a complete scene in 15 easy steps. A few simple tools, one easy-to-build plastic kit, and some readily available scenery materials are all he used to create the scene. Whether you are a beginner or a Master Model Railroader, you will enjoy seeing a plywood prairie morph into a complete scene.
Love Those Loads – Bob Frankrone
Most model railroaders love open loads. Bob’s clinic features a variety of open load models that can be built from commercially available kits or easily scratch built from basic materials. Beginners and master modelers alike will enjoy learning how to create interesting and realistic open car loads. With plenty of photos from both the prototype and HO scale models, Bob’s clinic is always a real crowd pleaser. Bob is the author of the “Love Those Loads” series featured bi-monthly in the NMRA Magazine.
Modeling the Paducah & Louisville Railway’s Mayfield District – Steven Flowers
An overview of the Paducah & Louisville Railways Mayfield District. Included in the preview is a timetable, a list of industries, and also a list of railcars that are often seen of the line from its 1986 start-up to present day. As this is the subject of my HO scale railroad, we will cover modeler’s license, expanded operations, and cars on the layout.
Need More Signs! – Steve Todd
Steve will describe the need to add more printed material to our layouts, and describe the methods, tools and tips for making your signs, roads, parking lots, etc. and printing them on a color printer.
Operations 101 – Steven Flowers
Basic operations for your model railroad from a 23-year veteran professional railroader. We will be covering why our railroads exist, what they haul, and the industries they serve, their reason for being. We will also dive into what cars are used to deliver the goods to and from the industries.
Trackside Control Panels – Tom Gordon
Through many years of trial and error, and observation of other folks’ approaches, an easy & cheap method for constructing small (4″x4″) local trackside control panels for turnouts and other locally controlled items was devised. These panels are not only simple to build, but they are also designed to allow removal and replacement for future enhancements. They are constructed with inexpensive materials mostly available from Amazon and local home improvement stores, along with the use of computer-printed graphics. Detailed instructions on how to build these panels will be presented and parts lists will be made available.
Weathering Models – Dr. Walter Laseter
The clinic would be for the purpose of weathering models. In real life, houses or buildings are not without flaws. Many, especially in cities, are dirty. Buildings in the country are often broken down or rickety. What we will try to do is to give your model-building a more realistic appearance. This is done through weathering. Most of the necessary items will be provided. Items like walls, powders, brushes, alcohol ink, clay, gloves, some tools, and shrubbery are what will be provided. If you want to bring your own model, feel free to bring a small model you would like to work on. This is a hands-on clinic and will be fun. THIS IS A DOUBLE-LENGTH CLASS.
What Can You Do with an Arduino – Tom Gordon
This clinic will introduce you to some of the useful features of Arduinos, their expansion boards (usually referred to as shields), and how to quickly take advantage of this technology. It will give some insight into how to simply use them on your layout to provide some automation without breaking the bank. Yes, there will be a small bit of example code, but only basic stuff to get you going. References to further expand your adventures in this technology will be provided.
Working N-Scale Mine Tram for the Clinch River RR – Phil Brooks
How to construct a working coal mine tram in N-Scale. Robotics parts and super magnets can animate vehicles in multiple scales.