New Clinic!

CNR Vans – Prototype Details

Hosted by James Whatley

This clinic covers several variants of the generic CNR wood caboose (van) and includes numerous in-service prototype photos from the 1970s and 1980s, several of which were taken in Moncton.  The detailed exterior and interior construction of the CNR van, including those built from former boxcars, is discussed with photos and drawings.  A few steel vans are also included.  This clinic will be of interest to anyone with a general interest in the subject and especially those wishing to learn more about the prototype for the True Line Trains model.

Scott

Building With Wood From Scratch

David Gunn has offered to do a presentation on scratch building with wood on the show floor, so everyone can see, during the public show on Saturday.

For anyone not familiar with David’s work, he is a master!  He handcrafts everything from structures to freight cars.  His creations are not just beautiful to see from the outside, he even details the heck out of the interiors!

Here are a few photos of some of his work, taken during David’s open house as part of the 2007 Convention in Truro…

Pam’s Cafe (named for David’s wife)  is one of the most amazing scale structures I have ever seen.  From the outside it looks amazing, but when David removed the roof (which has plugs built in to connect interior lighting) I was completely in awe!

There are plates, coffee cups, menus, utensils, and everything else you’d expect to find in a cafe.  The cook is busy preparing orders with bacon and eggs on the grill!  The washroom even has toilet paper (thankfully)!

This engine house is another thing of beauty.  Unfortunately the photos I took of the interior of the machine shop didn’t turn out very well.  Every machine you would expect to find in a very well equipped shop is there, complete with all the belts overhead to drive each one.

I mentioned details.  The office of the engine house is no exception.  There are plans and drawings on the desk, photos on the walls, books and calendars.  Very impressive indeed!

David’s freight cars are no less detailed, even if you can’t see them all.  This reefer is a very good example.  It feature fully functional doors both inside and out (the roof is removable so you can see the interior doors).  However, the thing that got me was when David told me it was an internal braced car.  I thought yeah, right, no one can see them, and said as much.  He pulled out the photos taken during construction to prove it!  HA!

Kitbashing Structures

From Basic Kit to Great Structure
Host: Ronald Grandmaison

This clinic will focus on kit-bashing great structures.  We will talk about all aspects of kit assembly including airbrushing and weathering.  The starting point for this clinic will be kit-bashed structures on the Chaleur & Restigouche.  The clinic will also demonstrate the setting of structures on a foundation to allow for removal without damaging details.  We will also discuss the proper placement of structures so they don’t overwhelm the layout. Emphasis on choosing the right basic colors so things look correct when weathered.  The presentation will also feature photos of scratchbuilt structures from Maritime layouts as well as a few from Quebec.

Participants who have kit-bashed structures that would like to bring them for discussion are more than welcome!

Getting From Here to There

Car Cards - photo courtesy of Wolfgang Dudler

Doug Whitman will describe the different methods used to move freight cars around model railroads.  Some folks use methods like hand made switch lists, car card and waybills, and computer generated instructions.  Other people roll one or more dice when they get to an industry.  We all use some process to determine which cars move to which locations on our model railroad.

Here is how Doug describes his clinic…

Computer Generated - photo courtesy of Scott Jay

Car Forwarding Methods

As we begin to think about operations on our model railroad one of the first items to be addressed is which of the variety of car forwarding methods should we use.

In this clinic we will discuss many of the different methods that can be used to plan the movement of freight on our model railroads.  The advantages, disadvantages, and the requirements of each method will also be open for discussion.

It should be interesting.

Scott

Creating Water – One Man’s Way

Justin Maguire’s clinic “Creating Water – One Man’s Way”.  Justin will present a clinic on modeling water scenes using creative techniques he’s developed.

Born in New Jersey sixty-six years ago, Justin has lived in Barrington, Rhode Island since 1982 and is a member of the NMRA’s Little Rhody Division. An artist and designer, Justin received his degree at the famed Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. After a long hiatus he returned to model railroading in 1990 building his East Bay & Westerly home layout in HO scale. In 2001 he co-founded the Narragansett Bay Railway & Navigation Company, billed as Rhode Island’s premier On30 modular railroad. Since it’s the only one in the state he says it must be the premier one. Justin’s specialty is water related scenic effects. Sand dunes, bays, harbors, bridges and low trestles dominate his railroads. His award winning work has been demonstrated in clinics at several regional NMRA conventions.

The care and feeding of HO scale locomotives

The latest addition to our clinic roster comes from Will Lawrence.  Here is a description of his clinic in his own words…

Will Lawrence goes over the high (and low) points of what’s under the hood of various HO scale diesels, and how to identify and correct some of the more common problems. He’ll also give tips for general
maintenance to keep ‘em rolling for the long haul.

I’m really looking forward to this one!

Scott

Using Fast-Tracks Jigs

Ron Day has offered to host a clinic on using these jigs to save money on turnouts by building your own.  Ron’s had his jig(s) for quite some time and has built several turnouts.  He enjoys this part of the process of building his layout and is willing to share the process with others.

I’ve checked out Fast Tracks web site and they have lots of products available.  They even have several videos showing their products in use.  You should check it out too.

I’m really looking forward to Ron’s clinic.  I hope I can attend.

Scott

Clinic suggestions

We’ve had an offer to host a clinic (details to follow after I get confirmation) and one suggestion.

The suggestion was for a clinic on car card based operations.

I would really like to see a clinic on basic/intermediate car-card operations. No, I am not qualified to give it, that’s why I’d like to see one <grin>. I’ve read the articles, but it doesn’t seem to gel right.  Actually easier for me to write a program for switch lists….

I’m sure there are several others that would be interested in a presentation on the various types of car card operations.  I know from my tours around the Maritimes operating on several layouts using car cards that there are many different ways to use car cards.  They all have their own pros and cons.

Now I just have to find someone willing and able to host it.  Any volunteers?  Anyone?

Scott

Clinic Suggestions

So far we have the following Clinics planned for the Convention:

Model Rail “Rail”

HO scale track comparisions of quality, appearance and wheel flanges. Code 100 to code 55 (maybe 40 if get brave enough to handlay). Basically, I’m still trying to figure out how to display it as I am going to paint a ballast a portion to show you can tell the difference in Code 100 vs 83 after it is painted.

Using Bragdon Weathering Powders

This Clinic is back again this year due to it’s high demand in Amherst last year.

Using Foam Core to make Building Mock-Ups – tentative

A highly versatile and strong material, foam core is an excellent product to use for structure mock-ups.  See how easy it is to create structures from kit footprints and/or drawings to see if they will fit a space.  You could even use foam core to scratchbuild full structures.

Using New England Brownstone Rock Wall Castings – tentative

NE Brownstone’s rock wall castings are unbelievably detailed and fairly easy to finish.

If you have any suggestions for Clinics, or would like to host a Clinic please let us know by commenting to this post or sending us an email.

Thanks!

Scott