There will be a variety of Clinics during this Convention. Topics ranging from modeling techniques to prototype history, discussions on scale operating practices to real industry processes. Take a look at the list below of the various Clinics currently planned for this year’s Convention.

Fuzzy Anstine – Getting those shelf engines back into service The clinic will go over many of the things you can do to get those old brass engines off the shelf and back on the layout. Will cover maintaining fine tuning, oiling, DCC installs along with many of the common problems and fixes of early brass engines. Al Boos III, MMR – Skidders and Yarders What the difference between a skidder and yarder? Come to this clinic and find out. Logging operations used many different types of equipment in getting the logs from the woods to the mill. The different types of skidders and yarders operations will be covered. Ken Ehlers, MMR – Prototype Track Planning This clinic will look at how Ken designed his Sn3 Pandora & San Miguel Railway to follow the Rio Grandee Southern and will look at the many modifications and compromises that were necessary in order to fit his layout into a specific space. The clinic will focus on designing a track plan that balances prototype scenic realism with a desire to achieve realistic operations. Steve Davis – Model Railroad Planning and Design: expanding the KCS 3rd Sub Whether you are considering building a new model RR from scratch, expanding one you already have, or are just interested in the planning process, you’ll find something of interest as Steve Davis, whose HO scale KCS 3rd sub was featured in the October 2019 issue of Railroad Model Craftsman magazine, employs Linn Westcott’s design premise of “Givens and druthers” to plan an expansion that more than doubles the existing layout size. With more “givens” than a person with a fresh start would have, Steve will share his thinking and take questions on the physical layout, track plan, and what the operating scheme will look like once the addition is completed. Steve Davis – Model Railroad CTC Signaling and Train Detection using Free software It has been increasingly common to see some form of signaling on model railroads, whether for scenic interest, or for actually controlling traffic flow. Steve Davis, who authored a series of articles on Model Railroad Signaling for The Dispatcher’s Office (the journal of the Operations Special Interest Group, or “OpSig”) will share thoughts on model railroad traffic control with an emphasis on dispatcher-controlled signals on the layout and track occupancy detection using free JMRI software available for download by anyone. He will touch on where to place the signals for a realistic/convincing model as well as the basics of the hardware using general DCC hardware. Lloyd Keyser, MMR – Flat Land Strip Mine Coal Loaders Small town strip-mine loaders in the Midwest. Minimum real estate for a lot of coal loads. You don't need mountains to load strip mine coal. Coal brought in from various mines crushed and loaded for steam plant use. Mark Juett – Setting up for operations If you are interested in model railroad operations, there are several things to consider even if your track is operational and the scenery complete. How will you dispatch trains? Where and how will you build a Dispatcher’s Office? Will you use radio, telephone, telegraph or another method to communicate? What method will you use for car forwarding? What paper forms will you need? Time Tables, Clearance Forms, Switch List, Bad Order Forms etc. Will your operators be able to identify locations and industries on your railroad? How will you call crews? How will you find enough operators to fill crews? Will you keep a seniority list? What about other aids to keep things organized, how will you keep all of those forms organized? What will you use for uncoupling tools? Have you considered interchanges for cars to go beyond your basement? How will you build them? How will they operate? What type of trains will you run; through freight, unit trains, mixed freight, passenger, local switching or all of these? Come join us to discuss these subjects and more. Mark Juett – Getting started in JMRI car forwarding There are several methods to generate traffic on your railroad. Car cards are very popular, but cars are limited to four destinations. The old guys used colored thumbtacks but that detracted from the appearance of the car. There are several software programs but many of them are dependent on one person to maintain and update the software. Come take a look at JMRI as a method for car forwarding. How to set up and configure. How to get the results you want. How car types and destinations are appropriate. See how movements are not a set pattern unless you desire to set it that way. See just how easy it is to get started and get freight and passengers moving on your railroad. Gene Mangum – The Gulf NorthWestern Railroad, The Railroad that should have been The purpose of this clinic is to tell the story of a mythical railroad that was the result of the dreams of some shrewd business men from San Antonio, Texas area. It is in effect an “alternate history” that chronicles the progression of this mythical railroad from early construction in the 1890’s, through amazing natural growth, affiliations, and mergers to the present day. John Lowrance, MMR – Setting the Scene Today we have the very best selection of highly detailed model railroad products ever, still many people still have difficulty mixing these components together into a realistic scene." This clinic provides guidelines to design and create realistic scenes. Some topics include: controlling what the viewer sees, planning a time and season, mother nature’s laws, it’s just like Disneyland, every scene tells a story, how much detail is needed, placement of structures, and why scenery may be the most memorable part of your layout. David Salamon – Cement Plant Operations Dave will be discussing his Cement Plant located in Hastings on the upper level branch line of his Deep River Southern Railroad. He will be sharing some of the research that he did on prototype cement plants, looking at several prototype track diagrams and photos, along with some other examples from what other modelers have done with their space and how he took all that information and inspirations to develop his cement plant that captures the look and the feel of large industry, while maintaining ample operations. Gert “Speed” Muller – Ardunio for beginners In this clinic you will connect the Arduino to LEDs, a servo and a light sensor to build the first part of a grade crossing! To make this possible, you need to bring your laptop with the Arduino IDE software installed, and an Arduino Uno (or Nano), with the device driver installed for Windows and the USB cable. You will also need a small servo, 3 red LEDs, 1k and 10k resistors, and a light sensor (photoresistor). A small breadboard and jumper wires will help. This kit has all the parts needed for the clinic: https://amzn.to/3lXKeW6 (buy a similar kit anywhere you like). Contact Speed at lsrtreasurer@huntatrophy.com if you plan to attend, have any questions or have trouble with the software installation. Jon Zook - 50 Shades of Boxcar Red - How to Paint with an Airbrush In this presentation, participants will learn about airbrushing techniques. I'll start with the supplies needed to get set up with airbrushing. Next, I'll discuss the different types of airbrushes available on the market, and the pros and cons of each type. I'll then talk about the different kinds of paint for airbrushing and how to properly thin the paint before spraying. Finally, I'll go through the techniques I use to airbrush for large objects, small objects, and weathering. Dean Smith – Operations on the East Tennessee & Western North Carolina Railroad Journey back to 1925 and take a trip on Dean Smith’s HOn3 ET&WNC-Vida Division Railroad. This 23x29 foot layout is designed for operation and includes dual-gauge switching, dispatcher control, two-yard master positions, freight and passenger train movements, timetable operation with a fast-clock, and waybill-driven freight car movements. Dean will also discuss operation on the prototype and the choices he made to facilitate challenging, realistic operation on his model railroad. His newly constructed Dispatcher’s Office comes complete with a “window” view of the Johnson City Yard. Larry Alfred - Building with Cardstock Will discuss the many uses of all types of cardboard, cardstock, and paper in building a wide variety of portions of your model railroad. He will point out the various types of carboard and their uses for scenery, structures, and details. Innovative scenery uses including mountains, rolling hills, and even water effects are covered. The many aspects of structure construction include full structures, add-ons to kits, back drop building flats, mock-ups, and a variety of detail parts. The only limit to the use of cardstock is your creativity. The full range of cutting, forming, gluing, and finishing will be shown. If you haven't included this medium in your model building repertoire, you should try it. This clinic will give you some ideas as to where to start. Phil Steward - Louisiana Sugar Cane Railroads-1895-1970, 75 years of Narrow Gauge Plantation Railroads This clinic explores one of the most unique aspects of narrow gauge railroads. During the first part of the 20th century southern Louisiana had over 150 plantation railroads. These steam powered railroads were used to transport cut sugar cane from the fields to the factories and connection to main line railroads. Over 100 vintage photographs are featured showing prototype motive power, rolling stock, and structures. A model railroad is under construction featuring these plantations. Scenery techniques will be discussed with photographs of the model railroad and the accompanying prototype scenes. Don Winn – Kitbashing - Thinking Outside of the Walthers Box There are many nice structure kits out there, but often they don't exactly fit the space we have on our layouts. We often need a building that is shorter, longer, taller or perhaps at an odd angle. Kitbashing also results in a unique structure that doesn't look like everyone else's, which adds to the interest. This clinic is for the beginner or intermediate modeler who is ready to use their creativity to make something special. Lind Wickersham – Building Detailed Structures Techniques for adding detail to structure kits, modifying kits, and scratch-building will be covered. Modeling using wood, styrene and other materials are described with finish and weathering given attention. Duane Richardson - Sign, Sign, Everywhere a Sign Signs add life, name structures and locations and can even set the era of your railroad. In this clinic we'll talk about where to find signs, how to weather and add them to your models. Duane Richardson - Modeling for the Achievement Program and the Contest Room Getting your worked scored is not magic. There is a science behind by both the modeler and the judges. In this clinic we'll talk about demystifying the Achievement Program as well as how to properly do a write-up.