Clinics

Operating With Single Cycle Waybills — Mike White
This clinic describes and explains an operating scheme for use with single-cycle waybills. Starting with the standard Setout, Hold, Pickup method in use by many, it expands this system to encompass many different types of waybill and freight movement conditions. View Clinic
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Creating Backdrops Using Pictures — Marshall Abrams
Use of pictures to produce backdrops is one of the hottest trends in realistic modeling. This clinic will cover how picture postcards, card stock models, photographs and other media can be used to make backdrops. Marshall will focus on urban scenes. Extensive web links are included.View Clinic

Similar: Using Styrene For Backdrops by Mike McNamara — Backdrops by BrianSheron, MMR — BackdropTutorial by J. Mark Chase — Enhancing Backdrops by Mike McNamara

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Detailing Athearn Blue Box Freight Cars — Nigel Phillips
Athearn Blue Box freight cars — we probably all have a few. Have a look underneath though — the brake gear is back to front! The story goes that the blueprint was upside down during the tooling for the under-body. With the trend to higher heights in baseboards, brake detail (or the lack of) is becoming more obvious and a modeling "must have" item. This clinic describes how to correct the position of the brake cylinder, air reservoir and triple valve, and add air lines, brake levers and wires using styrene strip and rod and copper or steel wire. The results meet my "3-foot" standard (if it looks good from 3-feet) and budget (the scrap box supplies nearly everything). Commercial brake kits with finer detailing (AB and K) give a much more prototypical look for those who like to get close-up. They are also a good source of various bits for a bash-build. Adding coupler trip-pin levers and air lines at the ends of the cars. View Clinic

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Expanding the Long Island Railroad — Brian Sheron, MMR

In 2015, Brian expanded his Long Island Railroad. Like most modelers, he was faced with questions such as "what to model." and "how to design the expansion." Brian explains how he made these decisions, which resulted in modeling Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn, and the Long Island Rail Road's car float yard in Long Island City. In his clinic, he explains car float operations, benchwork construction, including simple construction of curved backdrops, and installing a Faller Car System. His presentation walks you through the process with many photos and diagrams. View Clinic

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Backdrops — Brian Sheron, MMR (updated 5/10/2023)

Model train layouts are mainly constrained by two factors, limited available space, and accessibility. Both of these factors will inhibit the viewer's perception of depth when viewing a model railroading scene, unless we can add backdrops to our layouts that will impart the feeling of depth. Brian will describe various techniques that a modeler can use to achieve the perception of depth on their layout. His clinic presentation includes many photos that show these techniques. View Clinic

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Keep Alive — Gil Fuchs
Locomotives that stall on a gap or dirty track can be a source of frustration and a nuisance during operations. Keep alive devices are add-ons to the locomotive DCC decoder that can alleviate this problem. This clinic will cover installation and usage, as well as construction of a simple DIY Keep Alive device. View Clinic

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Modular Model Railroading — Clarence Guenther
Modular model railroading is a practical form of model railroading for space challenged model railroaders. This clinic explains what modular model railroading is and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. We will discuss the differences between modular and sectional model railroads and present different modular formats. View Clinic

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Forty Three Years of Tips and Tricks — Brian Sheron, MMR

This clinic presents dozens of handy tips and tricks that solve (or help solve) model railroading problems, or at least make some difficult tasks easier. These include: wax paper behind windows; sandpaper to simulate asphalt parking lots; simple signs from your computer; smaller scale buildings as background; using modern vehicles on older period layouts; simple third rails and cover boards; bending styrene plastic; making roads disappear; and simple commercial outdoor lights. View Clinic

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Weathering — John Paganoni, MMR

The purpose of this clinic is to demonstrate the use of weathering/aging techniques for engines, railroad cars, and structures. Focus is on subtle weathering using mostly chalks and chalk-type products such as —Doc O—Brien—s—, Bragdon Enterprises powders, and colored artist chalks from craft stores. A PowerPoint presentation, with pictures, will be used that was produced by Mat Thompson, MMR to highlight weathering and aging on HO scale models from the late 1940—s to early 1950—s. Emphasis is on subtle weathering versus heavy weathering because the prototype railroad (Central Vermont) I model maintained their equipment in excellent condition. Models will also be on display for members to review subsequent to the presentation. A major objective of this effort is to encourage members to participate in the NMRA Achievement Program and share their experiences in building and weathering their models. View Clinic
Similar: Detailing and Weathering the MER—s CNJ PS-1 Boxcar by Mike McNamara — Making a Realistic Logging Car from a Plastic Flatcar by Raymond A. Long
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Working Diaphragms — An Origami Approach — Nigel Phillips

You will learn to make working diaphragms from paper (and optionally from thin styrene sheet and wire) that are useful for older locos and passenger cars. While the result will not be "fine-scale" modeling, they will pass the 3 foot standard (it looks OK from 3 feet) and the cost of materials is minimal. Participants will design, cut, and assemble working diaphrams for diesel loco consists and passenger cars. The example used in the clinic is an early Pullman passenger car in HO scale, but the technique is easily adapted to other diaphragm designs and scales. Skills required: If you can accurately cut, fold, and assemble (glue) paper, you can make diaphragms. View Clinic

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Switch List Software — Marshall Abrams
This clinic presents a computer program model railroaders can use to generate freight traffic on their own railroads. Computer generated switchlists use tables of the cars on the layout, their type, and potential delivery locations. The system generates moves of appropriate cars to appropriate destinations, attempting to avoid repetitious activity. The clinic describes how to use the RailOp program and also addresses JMRI Operations. View Clinic

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Introduction to Model Railroad Operations — Marshall Abrams
Model railroad operations simulates the movement of trains on a railroad. Like any simulation, some details are emphasized and other details are suppressed according to the objective of the simulation. There are many choices to be made in establishing the rules and procedures for a model railroad operations simulation. This clinic provides a systematic survey described by Car Forwarding and Traffic Control Systems. Car Forwarding can be defined as is the purposeful movement of rail cars from one location to another. Prototype car forwarding is determined by customer needs. Model railroads simulate this part of the activity to varying levels. Two methods are popular for arranging model railroad freight: Car Card & Waybill, and Switch List.

Prototype Traffic Control is the purposeful movement of trains from one location to another, as determined by customer needs, physical constraints, and the desire for profitability. In the model railroad simulation we typically schedule or sequence trains. In rough order of increasing complexity, model traffic control includes: Random — run anything, anytime; Sequential — trains running in a specific order; and Timetable & Train Order (TT&TO) — trains run by time (usually using a fast clock) according to rules patterned after the prototype. View Clinic

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Oahu Sugar Company — Hawaiian Railroads — Nick Kalis
Modeling in Fn3 the narrow gauge Oahu Sugar Company as it appeared and operated in 1944 under wartime conditions. This layout demonstrates how the techniques of European exhibition layouts can be applied to an American semi- permanent layout. Two themes will be evident - sugar cane operations and WWII as it effects the home front.
Benjamin F. Dillingham founded the Oahu Sugar Company (OSC) on 20 acres of land leased from James Campbell in the vicinity of Waipahu. In 1897 its first locomotive arrives and in 1899 the first harvest of sugar cane is accomplished. Additional locomotives follow. The plantation grows to over 12,000 acres of leased land. By 1939 the railroad reached sixty miles of three-foot gauge track plus an unspecified amount of portable track on which 939 plantation cars (860 four- ton cane cars, fifty flat cars, and 29 other cars) operated. The presentation includes extensive use of photographs. View Clinic

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Modifying RTR Turnouts and Making Your Own From Scratch — Nigel Phillips
The aims of this clinic are 2-fold: Modifying RTR turnouts to make them DCC friendly and looking more like the prototype; and constructing turnouts from scratch to fit your layout (and not the other way around) when what you want is not available as an RTR item in the code rail that you use. Many RTR turnouts come as power routed designs, and depend for electrical continuity through the frog on a physical contact between the point blade and the stock rail. Simple wiring modifications and frog isolation will make them DCC ready. Some of the examples covered will be converting old power-routed Shinohara turnouts to 100% DCC compatibility, changing those pressed point blades in Peco turnouts to solid rails, and making a left- or right- hand crossover from two regular left- or right-hand turnouts. Constructing your own turnouts is not complicated, and is very cost effective with some simple homemade jigs for the frogs and point blades or with (expensive) CNC-tooled jigs if you have large numbers of turnouts to make. The clinic describes how to make inexpensive turnouts using your own jigs and simple tools, how to solder the frogs and rails to copper-clad ties, and how to wire the turnout for DCC. Some of the examples covered will be a #6 wye and a double 45—diamond crossing. View Clinic

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3D Printing Without A Printer — Gil Fuchs
3D printing has made a major impact on Model Railroading, as it has solved a long-time problem in the hobby of the viability of small run productions. 3D printing allows the modeler to obtain exactly the model he/she desires at the desired time, team up and share projects with others working on similar designs or road names, and/or print their products at home. Getting a one-off unique item is not an issue, and if one spends the effort to acquire some CAD skills, models can be designed using a computer with free software, the only major cost being one's time. Several approaches to 3D design and printing, currently available for modelers, are presented and compared. Areas where 3D printing can be successfully applied are reviewed with examples with references to relevant resources to help get you started. View Clinic

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Prototype—Based Track Planning — Robert W. Sprague
Railroad Prototype Modeling (RPM) is trying to replicate the appearance and operations of real railroads as faithfully as possible in miniature. Applying this philosophy to track planning presents particular challenges, because few modelers have enough space to reproduce prototype track layouts and distances in scale and still maintain operating interest. View Clinic Visit Bob's Web Site
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Ships and Boats for the HO Waterfront — Mat Thompson, MMR

The HO scale Oregon Coast Railroad has a major seaport and several smaller dock and pier scenes. This clinic focus on ships, boats and harbor buildings available and the reasons why they may or may not be suitable for a specific location and era. View Clinic

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Obtaining the Authorship Certificate — Martin Briechiel, MMR

This clinic addresses part of working towards your Author Certificate in the NMRA Achievement Program without any quaking in fear with memories of those endless term papers or reports at the office that tormented you in another time and place. This category is really far less intimidating than you think and is readily achievable while being a creative experience that encompasses giving clinics, videotape, web pages, or the traditional article publication format at a variety of levels. The clinic goes through all of the requirements & rules, discuss the "nuts & bolts" of "how to do it". Secondly, this clinic includes Martin's experiences with personal hints and tips for being a successful Model Railroad Author from an NMRA clinician through to being an Associate Editor and columnist. View Clinic
Similar: Demystifying the AP Dispatcher Paperwork by Kurt Thompson, MMR — Filling in the Model Contest Forms by Martin Brechbiel, MMR.    There is also a Special Interest report Earning Merit Awards that discusses how to best score points in the NMRA achievement program for modeling cars and structures. View Report
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Demystifying the AP Dispatcher Paperwork — Kurt Thompson, MMR

Chesapeake Division's AP Director and MER President (2018-) goes over the requirements and paperwork needed for a member to earn this AP certificate. In a setting more of a seminar than a clinic, Kurt presents the paperwork he submitted 25 years ago when he earned his first AP certificate. If you are interested in seeing through the "fog of the requirements" or just have some questions about your own paperwork, this clinic is for you. Remember that this certificate was easy enough that Kurt earned his. View Clinic

Similar: Obtaining the Authorship Certificate by Martin Brechbiel, MMR — Filling in the Model Contest Forms by Martin Brechbiel, MMR.    There is also a Special Interest report Earning Merit Awards that discusses how to best score points in the NMRA achievement program for modeling cars and structures. View Report

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Downsizing to a Shelf Layout — Fred Miller, MMR

Many model railroaders hesitate in building a layout because of limited space. When Fred Miller moved to a high-rise condo he was faced with either —arm-chair— model railroading, or continuing his life-long hobby of building a model railroad. This story is about how he designed and constructed a —shelf layout— to meet that desire for building an operating railroad. View Clinic

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Estate Planning for Model Railroaders — Marshall Abrams
This clinic is addressed to model railroaders who are uninterested or unable to continue and want to dispose of their model railroad assets. It also applies to the estate executor who doesn—t know much about our hobby and who has many other things on his or her mind at the time. Topics include: priorities, inventory & value, high value items, written instructions, planning for layout disposition, selling, scenarios, fees, scenarios, references, professional services, and using eBay. View Clinic There is also a Special Interest Report. View Report

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History of Model Railroad Control Systems — John Glaab & Gil Fuchs
The clinic is a review of technologies, systems and methods developed as part of the evolution of model railroading, to support the fundamental need to run trains sharing the same layout and track — from the late 1800s to recent years. The first part of the clinic covers early attempts to provide multiple train control, analog systems and the shift from central panels to walkaround train control. The second part covers digital systems and standards, ending with a call to action for members — to promote standardization for the benefit of the hobby. View Clinic
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Insurance for Your Model Railroad — Marshall Abrams
Most model railroaders never think about insurance. This clinic will help you to determine whether your homeowners— insurance sufficiently covers your model railroad. A decision will require some data gathering and decisions on your part: These questions will be addressed:

What coverage does your homeowners' policy provide?

What are all the components (e.g., motive power, rolling stock, structures, scenery, benchwork, scenery, structures, wiring, track, power and control electronics), of the railroad worth?

What is your subjective assessment of the risk?

Are you going to include repair labor in the insurance? Custom builders are expensive and unlikely to be willing to do repair work on site.   View Clinic There is also a Special Interest Report. View Report

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Introduction to C/MRI — Jay Beckham
This clinic is an introduction to Computer/Model Railroad Interface. Some of the content is provided by Dr. Bruce Chubb. It will cover some fundamental electronic and electrical information as it relates to C/MRI. Also, it will cover the basic parts that are used to provide signaling and the operation of a CTC system. It will also cover some alternative circuits that relate to C/MRI. It will not cover JMRI or LCC. View Clinic
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Introduction to Micro-Controllers — Terry Terrance
Ever wonder what a microcontroller is? Ever wonder what it can do for your model railroading endeavors? This clinic will describe what a microcontroller is, how it works and what it can do for you. After a survey of some available microcontrollers, we'll transition to focus on the Arduino, the grandad of experimenter's microcontrollers. The Arduino's hardware and software will be described. View Clinic

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Layout Background Sound — Fred Miller, MMR

Adding background sounds is a way to enhance the "multi-dimensional" effect on your layout. Industry, city, or country sounds broaden the viewing and operating experience. There are a number of commercial "sound boards" offering pre-recorded or recordable capabilities with prices ranging from $10 to $100 and varying quality of the recorded sound and playing time. This clinic explores available options including easy construction alternatives. View Clinic

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Modeling Urban Scenes — Brian W. Sheron, MMR
Brian's HO scale Long Island Rail Road primarily models many urban and suburban scenes found on Long Island, including Brooklyn, Queens, and Penn Station in Manhattan, and the town of Huntington further out in Suffolk County. His clinic focuses on how to plan an urban scene for your layout, identifying the key elements that make up urban scenes, and then explaining what the key modeling components are for each element, and how they all can be combined to produce realistic scale model urban scenes. Brian discusses how to create realistic backdrops for urban scenes. He also discusses using techniques such as —cutaways— to model underground stations, and also modeling overhead subways, or —Els—. His clinic presentation contains many photos that illustrate the techniques described. View Clinic

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Molding and Casting in Hydrocal and Resin — Jay Beckham
This clinic covers the basics of producing one-part rubber (RTV) molds from scratch built or other masters. It also covers making castings from the molds using two- part resin and plaster. The master is a HO Scale item useful to most model railroaders. View Clinic

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Multi-Function Animation DCC Decoder — Fred Miller, MMR

This clinic is about a custom designed inexpensive decoder developed to operate lights, sounds, and motion for animating buildings on a layout. This decoder operates from DCC track power and accepts DCC commands to initiate the animations. The construction and details of the decoder are presented along with several animated demonstration buildings operated from both a LocoNet time-of-day Scheduler and a standard throttle. View Clinic
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Vinegar, Pickles and Railroads ... Oh My! — Rod Vance, MMR
This clinic talks about modeling the pickle and vinegar industries during the time period from the late 1800s to the early 1970s. We'll talk about how pickles and vinegar were made and processed, including looking at the typical structures and facilities used in their production. We'll also talk about the special railroad cars used to transport pickles and vinegar. We'll finish by surveying some of the structures and freight car models commercially available in our hobby that can be used to represent the pickle and vinegar industries. View Clinic

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Visual Aids and Wiring Techniques — Pete LaGuardia
Pete demonstrates wiring techniques used to control turnouts, double-slip turnouts with LED, and controlling tortoises from multiple locations. Along with visual aids used to assist operators both doing visits or operating sessions. These techniques and wiring aids have been featured in model railroad over the years. View Clinic
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Working With A Professional Layout Designer — Fred Scheer
Fred walks you through a bit of history, then choosing to use, and picking, a layout design pro. He explains how things go, from pre-planning to a completed design. Fred addresses time, cost, and the re- design issue; and mentions a couple of surprises along the way. You'll get a quick look at Fred's railroad and hear about the inevitable "What-I'd-Do-Differently" list. And, there's a short list of some resources now available to the design-challenged that weren't around 10 years ago. View Clinic
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Focus Stacking — Norm Reid & Jeff Fleisher
Every model railroad photographer faces the same problem: how to get the locomotive and caboose both in sharp focus. While traditional film techniques can help, one of the best methods now possible with digital technology is focus stacking.

Focus stacking involves making a sequence of photos at varying focal points, then "stacking" them to create combined images that are sharp throughout. The clinic will present two methods for creating stacks and demonstrate the hardware and software needed to produce stacked images. Examples are presented. View Clinic
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Fantasy Meets Reality — Alex Belida
In this clinic Alex explains how he enhanced the experience of building his fictional Eureka and South Pass RR by writing his own history for the railroad and by creating articles portraying events in its turn-of-the-century Nevada locale. Then he discusses how he discovered there is a real life prototype for his operation and how that is shaping his future plans. View Clinic
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Having Fun with Operations — Mat Thompson, MMR
Operations is a fun way to increase your enjoyment of model railroading but in the beginning it can seem intimidating. This clinic focuses on helping you understand what happens during an operating session to help you get over the new-guy confusion. Mat starts with easy things you can do beforehand and then discusses the operating jobs you can expect and how to do them.He'll cover the few rules you actually need to know and suggest a few things you might want to bring. He'll even talk about the no-no's — things not to do if you ever want to be invited back! View Clinic
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Railfanning — Dave Arday
This clinic has two parts. The didactic first part covers

The relationship between model railroading and railfanning,

Safety issues,

Types of railfanning, and

Railfanning information ing it can seem intimidating. This clinic focuses on helping you understand what happens during an operating session to help you get over the new-guy confusion. Mat starts with easy things you can do beforehand and then discusses the operating jobs you can expect and how to do them.He'll cover the few rules you actually need to know and suggest a few things you might want to bring. He'll even talk about the no-no's — things not to do if you ever want to be invited back! View Clinic
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Railfanning — Dave Arday
This clinic has two parts. The didactic first part covers

The relationship between model railroading and railfanning,

Safety issues,

Types of railfanning, and

Railfanning information sources.

The remainder and majority of the clinic consists of slide shows from several railfanning trips, including the Cumbres & Toltec, Western Maryland Scenic, the Tehachapi Loop, White Pass & Yukon Route, and the Canton RR, with a little bit of background information on each. View Clinic
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Building a Turntable — Nigel Phillips
Lazy Susan, M12 and the Gear-head. No, not a pulp fiction novel, but how to build a small turntable using readily available components at a fraction of the cost of a proprietary kit or a RTR one. The first build Nigel describes is an On30 "gallows" DCC turntable, 7.5" in diameter, built using a 2" square Lazy Susan bearing, an M12 (12mm diameter) bolt, and a gear-head 12v DC motor that is rated at 2 rpm at 12v, and even slower if desired. Electrical wiring is probably the most challenging part, as 2 separate circuits are usually required, one for the motor (DC), and one for the track (DCC). Some extra items such as a pulse-width speed controller, and a track polarity reverser, are covered (the bells and whistles). The second build Nigel will describe is a wood platform turn-table using a 6" diameter Lazy Susan bearing, again in On30. He uses the same approach but different in detail. Some of the issues in polarity reversal, track power wiring and indexing are reviewed. The basic components come to about $25, adding the bells and whistles is about an-other $50. View Clinic

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Design Enhancements — Nick Kalis
This clinic applies artistic concepts to improving the story our layouts tell. Topics covered are: 1) Four steps in design (pick the story, design your scenes, select your scale, design as you build); 2) Design Basics; 3) Seven Principles of Design. View Clinic

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Building the Building for Building the Layout — Jerry Stanley
Jerry knows that building an actual building just for the layout takes a level of expertise beyond most modeler’s ability. He addresses the process to select a building site, what type of building to build on different terrains, the basic requirements to provide a set of plans for a building permit, and “things to consider” when designing your hobby room building to get these things done correctly. View Clinic There is also an article. View Article

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Success With Static Grass — Todd Hermann
Static grass seem daunting, but it's not that hard to get good results with the right materials and a little practice. In this clinic held at the Hobby Barn on January 30, 2021, Todd Hermann shared some of his techniques that he uses to achieve the look he wants to achieve on his layout. View Clinic
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Modeling in 2 Rail O (1/48) Scale — John Sethian
Much this presentation pertains to how accessible O scale is, dispelling myths about O scale being too expensive, requiring too much room, and that the layouts are “plywood central” without scenery. The larger size gives the feel of heavy moving machinery, and fine details can be added and seen without heroics. Most equipment is readily available. The clinic includes sources, suppliers, and techniques. You may come away with a changed outlook on O scale! View Clinic
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Modeling the B&O West End — Terry Terrance
Terry Terrance's M∓K Junction Model Railroad (O Scale) is part of the “double humped” B&O crossing of the Allegheny mountains. The grade on Briery Mountain (Cranberry Grade), the crossing of the Cheat River at Rowlesburg, WV and the grade up Laurel Mountain (Cheat River Grade), is depicted in condensed form on this layout. Rowlesburg was a helper station as trains needed to be pushed up the grades in both directions out of Rowlesburg. The track is designed to create the feel of the prototype with heavy grades and very little tangent (straight) track and to be scenically sincere, that is, trains pass through a scene only once. There is quite a lot of information in the clinic and related layout tour. View Clinic    View Layout Tour

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Modeling the Railroad of the Civil War & more — Bernard Kempinski
Bernie is a freelance writer who has written dozens of magazine articles and several books on model railroading. Bernie uses some of the latest technology and techniques to build his 19th Century Civil War O scale railroad, including laser cutting, photo etching, 3D printing, spin casting, battery powered locomotives, and a microprocessor controlled telegraph system. His blog is a journal following the history, design, construction and operation of his 1/48th - (O) Scale model railroad depicting the U. S. Military Railroad (USMRR) Aquia-Fredericksburg line in 1863, and other model railroad projects. He is also the proprietor of Alkem Scale Models, a cottage industry specializing in fine scale kits and detail parts. View Blog*    View Video — How to Operate the Aquia Line    View Video — The Port of Los Angeles HO Scale Layout Project    View Video — WWI Battle of Cambrai     View Video — (more) Battle of Cambrai     Visit Alkem Scale Models*     View Book Review — Model Railroads Go To War    View Book Review — Waterfront Terminals and Operations
  * If Chrome or Firefox raise a warning, use a different browser or check your settings.
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Backdrop Painting - Ken Wilson (4/10/2021)

Ken Wilson's clinic covers several considerations in painting a backdrop for a model railroad. His clinic includes alternatives to backdrops, what to paint backdrops on, tools to use when painting a backdrop, picking subject matter of the backdrop, painting different types of clouds, and taking photos for backdrops.
View Clinic

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Build a Flat Car - Martin Brechbiel, MMR (2/27/2021)

In this clinic, Martin provides instructions on how to scratch build a flat car using wood. The clinic was presented at the Hobby Barn and he provided the needed wooden parts cut to the sizes and shapes needed to the participants.

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Scratch Building a Flat Car using polystyrene plastic - Ernie Little, MMR (5/8/2021)

The first step in scratch building most cars is building a Flat car as the base. Building cars with polystyrene plastic uses the same steps but the material is not subject to splintering and absorbing glue and paint. In this clinic Ernie provides information on the scratch building process and constructs a Flat car.

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Building an Operational Crossing - Brian Sheron, MMR (3/20/2022)

Railways often cross roadways at grade causing a need for warning devices to alert motorists and pedestrians of approaching trains. In this clinic Brian provided information on how to install automatic operating crossbucks and crossing gates on a model railroad layout.

View Clinic
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Building a Programming Track and Programming decoders - Ernie Little, MMR (7/17/2022)

Having a programming track is an important item for your layout. Whether the programming track is separate from the main layout or connected to the main layout though isolation does the programming track is important to your layout to allow you to program your locomotive decoders and other decoder controlled equipment. In this clinic Ernie presents information on the construction of a programming track and also basic DCC programming.

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Do It Yourself Stay Alive and Keep Alive Devices - Gil Fuchs

Keeping your locomotives and other electrical devices going despite an electrical gap in the tracks or some other electrical related issue is important to your railroad operations. In the Clinic Gil provides information on building your own Stay Alive and Keep alive devices.

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The YVRR - Not Just Prototype Freight Cars - Jack Burgess

The Yosemite Valley Railroad caused Jack Burgess to have to design and build model railroad cars due to the lack of commercial availability. In the clinic he provides some details of why and how he did it.

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Introduction to Making Model Railroad Videos - Rod Vance (7/18/2021)

Rod Vance shares his knowledge and expertise in the making of making model railroad videos. Making videos of your model railroad layout or other associated activities is a great way to share your hobby with others. In this clinic Rod presents on the choosing of video editing programs, the stages of creating a video, and other information on the making of videos.

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Modeling Drake's Well - Alex Belida, MMR (2/20/2022)

While working on a Master Model Railroader project, constructing a Densmore Tank Car, Alex found another interesting project dealing with Drake's Well, which was an oil well drilled in the vicinity of Titusville, Pennsylvania. The crude oil from shipped via the Oil Creek Railroad to Meadville, Pennsylvania where it was then forwarded via rail to New York.This clinic was done virtually and a pdf file was created from his power point.

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Modeling an Elevated Railway - Brian Sheron, MMR

Elevated railways are used in congested cities separate railroad tracks from other forms of public transportation and are usually less expensive to construct than underground railways. In this clinic Brian focuses on elevated railways in New York City. In this presentation he covers the four main elements of an elevated railway, track support, the track, third rail, and cover boards, details, and the subway portion.

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Painting Figures with Citadel Paints - Alex Polimeni

There is no right or wrong way to hobby only the way you want to do it. Painting of figures and railroad related items can be challenging to the modeler and Alex offers his advise on how to do it.

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Prototype Modeling AP - Alex Belida, MMR (12/19/2021)

Alex created a diorama of the Woodsboro, MD train station. In this clinic he explains how he did it and provides pictures and maps he found during his research.

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Rolling Brake Systems - Ken Wilson (11/25/2022)

Knowledge of the various braking systems found on railroad cars is important when it comes to modeling a car. In this clinic Ken provides information on the various braking systems, where they are found, and history of railroad braking.

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The Art and Technique of Lighting Buildings and Streets - John Sethian (3/21/2021)

In this clinic John Sethian provides information on the ways to light buildings and streets. He provides information on light sources and how to power them, installing lights in side buildings and structures, installing outside lights, and special effects of lighting.

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Working Diaphragms - An Origami Approach - Nigel C. Phillips

Working diaphragms in plastic for passenger cars and cab diesels locomotives can be expensive and difficult to assemble. NIgel provides information on a method to provide them that is quick, inexpensive, and only uses paper, card stock, and some glue.

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Vertical Boiler Engine Project - Alex Belida, MMR

Alex Belida shares how he scratch built a vertical boiler engine based on research he conducted. This clinic describes his journey of this build and provides some of challenges he faced.

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Earning the NMRA Electrical AP certificate with a small layout - Bill Mosteller

Bill Mosteller shares how he went about earning the National Model Railroad's Electrical Achievement Program certificate using his small layout. The slides shown here contain the information he covered in the virtual clinic he presented to the Potomac Division on Sunday, August 20, 2023. The video is available by clicking on the link in the Virtual Clinic Videos found at the top of clinics page.

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Individual Clinics

Virtual Clinic Videos

On-line Clinic Libraries

On-line Clinic Libraries

Scenery — Bill Carl

BackdropTutorial — J. Mark Chase

Build a Warehouse roll-up door (Fine Scale Animation for Operation) — Bill Day, MMR

Constructing Pine Trees of the Southeast — Mike Hart

Creating Stencils for Your Logo — Gil Fuchs

Detailing and Weathering the MER—s CNJ PS-1 Boxcar — Mike McNamara

Enhancing Backdrops — Mike McNamara

Electronics — Bob Clegg

Installing Decoders in Steam Engines — Brian Sheron, MMR

Installing Sound in an Atlas RS-3 — Brian Sheron, MMR

Intermediate Resin Casting — John Griffith

Layout Ideas From The Opera — John Pursell

Making Dwarf Signals — Marshall Abrams

Signals & Detection — Marshall Abrams

Making Trees from Sedum — Bob Sprague

Passenger Operations — Doug Matheson

Railroading Along The Waterfront With Walthers – Some Prototype Ideas And Future Directions — John Teichmoeller

Realistic Finish on Brick and Stone Structures — Kathy Renninger

Resin Casting Introduction — John Griffith

Rocks Made Easy — Working with Rock Molds & Coloring with Dyes — Bob Johnson

Scenic Express Supertrees — Bill Carl

Scratchbuilding a Small Wooden Freight Station and Platform — Martin Brechbiel, MMR

Scratchbuilding Wooden Freight Cars — Convert Your Flatcar into a Gondola — Martin Brechbiel, MMR

Simple Scratchbuilding Tool — Fred Willis

Using a Drill Press as a Milling Machine — Evert Beekmann

Using EXCEL to Create String Charts — Bob Reid,MMR

Using Styrene For Backdrops — Mike McNamara

Using Structural Steel to Create Industries and Scenes — Tom Brodrick

Water Effects — Mark Sisk

Airbrush for Model Railroading — My experiences — Clint Hyde

Replacing the External Antenna on NCE Radio Cabs — Ed Rappe

Railroad Worthy Industries — Mat Thompson, MMR

B&O Marine Operations on the Ohio River — John Teichmoeller

Details can make the Difference — Adding Details to Your Layout — Brian Sheron, MMR

Making a More Prototypical Waybill — Mike White

Everything You Wanted to Know About Model Railroad Decals — Bill Mosteller

History of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad — Ronald Beavers

Filling in the Model Contest Forms — Martin Brechbiel, MMR

Electroluminescent Signs For Your Layout — Brian Sheron, MMR

Build A Waterfall — Marshall Abrams

Operating With Single Cycle Waybills — Mike White

Operating With Single Cycle Waybills — Mike White

Creating Backdrops Using Pictures — Marshall Abrams

Detailing Athearn Blue Box Freight Cars — Nigel Phillips

Expanding the Long Island Railroad — Brian Sheron, MMR

Backdrops — Brian Sheron, MMR (updated 5/10/2023)

Keep Alive — Gil Fuchs

Modular Model Railroading — Clarence Guenther

Forty Three Years of Tips and Tricks — Brian Sheron, MMR

Weathering — John Paganoni, MMR

Working Diaphragms — An Origami Approach — Nigel Phillips

Switch List Software — Marshall Abrams

Introduction to Model Railroad Operations — Marshall Abrams

Oahu Sugar Company — Hawaiian Railroads — Nick Kalis

Modifying RTR Turnouts and Making Your Own From Scratch — Nigel Phillips

3D Printing Without A Printer — Gil Fuchs

Prototype—Based Track Planning — Robert W. Sprague

Ships and Boats for the HO Waterfront — Mat Thompson, MMR

Obtaining the Authorship Certificate — Martin Briechiel, MMR

Demystifying the AP Dispatcher Paperwork — Kurt Thompson, MMR

Downsizing to a Shelf Layout — Fred Miller, MMR

Estate Planning for Model Railroaders — Marshall Abrams

History of Model Railroad Control Systems — John Glaab & Gil Fuchs

Insurance for Your Model Railroad — Marshall Abrams

Introduction to C/MRI — Jay Beckham

Introduction to Micro-Controllers — Terry Terrance

Layout Background Sound — Fred Miller, MMR

Modeling Urban Scenes — Brian W. Sheron, MMR

Molding and Casting in Hydrocal and Resin — Jay Beckham

Multi-Function Animation DCC Decoder — Fred Miller, MMR

Vinegar, Pickles and Railroads ... Oh My! — Rod Vance, MMR

Visual Aids and Wiring Techniques — Pete LaGuardia

Working With A Professional Layout Designer — Fred Scheer

Focus Stacking — Norm Reid & Jeff Fleisher

Fantasy Meets Reality — Alex Belida

Having Fun with Operations — Mat Thompson, MMR