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.

Photos of the NBR&N

Andy sent us some some photos of the layout he and Justin will bring to the Convention.

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

Narragansett Bay Railway & Navigation

We received this email from Andy Small confirming that he and Justin will be bringing their layout to our Convention.

Justin Maguire and myself are bringing a portion of our clubs Narragansett Bay Railway & Navigation. The NBR&N is an On30 modular RR built by members of the Little Rhody Division of the NMRA. It depicts a fictional narrow
gauge RR in south eastern New England in the 1930’s-40s. We run DCC and have lots of salt water and sand. We use a combination of Bend Track and Free-MO. NBR&N has displayed at the 22nd and 27th National Narrow Gauge Conventions and will be at the 2009 NMRA Convention in Hartford, CT. Our web site (we have not updated in quite some time) has some older photos http://nbrnmodule.tripod.com/

As for size? It depends on what I can cram into my van. We usually have a couple trailers plus what we throw in the back of our vehicles. Right now I’m building shelf units that will fit in the back of my Honda (3 levels complete). I’m sort of picturing an Apollo Command Module returning from the Moon as my inspiration. Anyhow, we’re currently at the Big E Trainshow at Springfield, Mass and we should pretty much have the size down in the next couple of weeks (still working on a new transition module). Because nothing is really straight and we have lots of bends, we can normally fit anywhere so we’ll send a couple of options. It’ll probably be between 9-10 modules plus end caps and will be a point-to-point. I’ll try and send some photos soon.

Scott

Donations have started to arrive!

The first package arrived today from CN Lines SIG – Nick Andrusiak!

Thanks Nick!

In the box is a bunch on back issues, several envelops of decals (“one complete set of coach decals – basic, stripes, car names, and a surprise“).  He also threw in some Anne of Green Gables stamps for us to use to mail Convention stuff.

Generous as always, Nick!

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

Planning underway!

It took us a while to get started, but we now have tasks assigned and are underway with planning Island Rails 2009.

Please check this site often as we will be posting items periodically to keep everyone up to date on our progress.  If you use an RSS Reader you can subscribe to our feed.  If you don’t use one I suggest Google Reader as an easy to use feed reader.

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