Clinics

Interested in 3D printing? Stefan has successfully used several types of 3D printing, and has a great wealth of information on technologies, their applications and pitfalls. This was a hit in a Piedmont Division monthly meeting!

We all have had those days where nothing went right. Railroads are no different. The presenters have found a way to make operating sessions a little more realistic. As an example, when a car becomes uncoupled, instead of grabbing the cars and recoupling manually, take the time to contact dispatch, and back up to get it right. The dispatcher can put a speed restriction on further traffic until the problem is rectified.  There are many other situations that can be added that create challenges for operators, adding more fun, and realism to your sessions.

Starting from nothing, show how to set up simple railroad operations on your layout using JMRI, including use of mobile devices to replace printed switchlists and car cards.

writeup TBA

New releases and information from Rail-Scale models. Stephen discusses how they develop models from the prototype, with appropriate photographs and information.  He will also have models available for purchase.

Ever wondered how coal operations actually work on a busy Class II regional railroad?  This is where you can learn how the prototype practices from someone that has actual real-life experience in the field.

How to earn the author certificate, and enjoy the process. Scott makes a potentially sleepy topic extremely entertaining!

In building scenery for his Todd Mill & Wildcat Creek Railroad, Bill Eberle developed several innovative techniques and materials for modeling interesting terrain, especially in the modeling of interesting land contours. He will demonstrate these techniques and discuss other issues which he has found to be useful in creating interesting scenery.

One of the best features of DCC is the ability to run your locomotives in a multiple-unit consist, just like the prototype. With DCC, it is possible to run locomotives from different manufacturers together in a consist, even if they are using different brands of decoders. This clinic presents an easy method of speed matching and explains consisting in DCC.

This clinic will teach you the fundamentals of hand soldering. Learn tips and techniques to improve your skills and help make soldering an enjoyable part of the hobby. This clinic has been approved by the NMRA as an Edu-Train clinics, tricks and techniques in soldering electrical circuits for your layout.

Timeline – 1959 thru 1981 - Tracing the period of mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies that forever changed the railroad industry in the Northeastern US. All the roads that led to the NS, CSX and Conrail systems.

Timeline 1957 thru 1982 - Tracing the period of mergers, acquisitions and bankruptcies that forever changed the railroad industry in the Southeastern US. All the roads that led to the NS, ICG and CSX systems. 

Walt has been involved with the actual design and construction of the Georgia Ports Authority expansion in Savannah. He shows how the container transfer system works, and has tons of photographs and videos to show how it all works seamlessly!

Using modern technology such as smart phones, RaspberryPis and Arduinos can significantly drop the initial cost of entry into 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...

Do you wish to make photo realistic backdrops for your layout? Stefan covers exactly how that can be done, including tips and tricks on the use of software, and how to get the backdrops printed.

Using actual prototype procedures, how to make your op session more like the real thing

The world is not static, and there are many other things on a layout that can be animated, adding life and interest to your scenes.  This clinic covers how to incorporate animation into your layout.

writeup TBA

More than just a simple branch line, the Southern Railway's Murphy Branch was a busy line that offers something for every modeler no matter your space or era. In this clinic we will take a tour of the line from Asheville all the way out to Murphy, exploring the majority of its industries, and discuss how it was operated, with the goal of being able to recreate the branch as it existed in the late 1970s. 

Take a tour of the famous Saluda Grade and see how the Southern Railway operated trains on the steepest standard gauge mainline railroad in the United States. We will take a look at the prototype from top to bottom while discussing the features needed to model the grade and talk about how to accurately recreate late 1970s operations on your layout.

Legendary TRAINS editor, David P. Morgan, once wrote that Southern’s Ps-4 locomotives were the “handsomest Pacifics ever to turn a wheel” (or words to that effect).  This clinic explores these beautiful, quirky, green locomotives, the trains they pulled, modeling them, and the legends that have grown up around them over the years.

In this clinic we will take a look at several methods to research long gone railroads and industries in order to bring more prototypical accuracy to your layout. Find out how to recreate abandoned lines, demolished structures, and more from the past. All you need is an internet connection and plenty of spare time to dive down this rabbit hole of piecing together the forgotten past. And best of all, it’s all free!

Tips, tricks and live demo by one of the nation's best diorama modelers

Working on an AP certificate, or interested in modeling outside braced boxcars? This clinic is for you! Harvey covers how to scratchbuild a contest-worthy boxcar!

This presentation is designed to help model railroaders select industries and community businesses for their model railroad through a systematic approach and by answering a series of questions, thinking about how railroads service their customers, increasing railroad traffic by thinking about the types of railroad cars that are used to service the needs of different types of industries. Examples of real facilities and model railroad examples are used to make the points.

How to video and photograph the prototype with loads of actual video clips of the Amtrak Crescent. If you like prototype photography and videography, this is the clinic for you!

Tom will show how you can make your own inexpensive, tiny electrical connections that work anywhere from inside locomotives (HO), lineside signals, Arduino connections, structures, and any other place where low current connections are needed.

The history and modeling of the James E. Strates Shows Carnival trains. The clinic covers the history of show trains in general and specifics of the Strates trains, which has the last remaining show train in the US. It also covers how you can model all eras of the trains operation, which runs through Georgia and South Carolina.  

This presentation looks at the different types of tanks cars that are used today, older style tank cars, tank car features, tank car models, how to increase tank car traffic on a model railroad layout, industries that use tank cars, and loading and unloading platforms/facilities

Modeling glues and how to use them. There are many adhesives available for modeling - and most items can be glued - if you use the right adhesive. Ovidiu covers the breadth of available adhesives, where to use them, and just as important, where not to use them!