We are in the process of lining up some great clinics. If you are interested in giving a clinic please contact clerk@div12mcr.org for details and clinic application forms.
Some of the clinics we will add to the schedule include:
Neal Schorr Capturing the Commonwealth
Grier Kuehn Modeling Realistic Vehicles
Frank Pastore Evolution of a Layout Built forOperation
Garry Reynolds AP Cars and the Benzini Circus
James Whipple Module Models
Bob Weinheimer Evolution of an Operating System
Jerry Jordak Postcards from the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie
Carl Wassink Bringing Home the Gold. The story and history of Climax “A” 313
Gordy Robinson Introducing the NMRA Interchange (via ZOOM)
Alleghany Western Mini-Meet Schedule at the Ambassador Center:
8:00 AM — 8:45 AM: Registration with complimentary continental breakfast
8:45 AM — 9:45 AM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Garry Reynolds, AP Cars and the Benzini Circus: The clinic will discuss rail cars and wagons that were used in the 1920s as the circuses moved from city to city. Includes a review of model construction of several types of rail cars and gives information about circuses and wagons of this time period.
- Mirage: Frank Pastore, Evolution of a Layout Built for Operations: The clinic will show the evolution of a 52’ X 20’ model railroad built for operations. The freelanced West Virginia coal hauler includes use of car cards and waybills.
10:00 AM — 11:00 AM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Mike Hauk, Quick and Dirty Weathering With Oils: A presentation of using oil paints to get a fast and realistic finish on models and equipment, including a hands-on segment (time permitting) for the attendees to try their hand at applying these weathering materials to a freight car or piece of equipment that they bring with them to the clinic. IMPORTANT NOTE: Anyone wanting to try the hands-on portion of this clinic should bring a previously dull-coated car or shell to the Mini-Meet.
- Mirage: Bob Weinheimer, Evolution of an Operating Scheme: The clinic describes how the operation of my layout has changed over the decades (yes, four of them) from the beginning to where it is today. One of the driving forces was the unabated purchase of rolling stock, and I make fun of myself for doing just that. On a more serious note, there are two big lessons: don’t be afraid to make changes to the railroad if it will improve operations and listen to your operators because they might have some good ideas.
11:15 AM — 12:15 AM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Jerry Jordak, Virtual Signaling with JMRI: Installing a working signal system on a model railroad can be a challenge, but there is a way to gain the benefits of a signal system without (or at least before) installing lineside signals using something that you probably have hiding in the back of a drawer in your home. This clinic will give a high-level overview of signaling with JMRI and your DCC system, followed by some techniques to deploy virtual signal repeaters using old mobile phones and tablets around your layout.
- Mirage: Dave Ellis, Expand Your Horizons with Backdrops: This presentation is a guide to adding realism to a model railroad using backdrops. It starts with a rationale for using backdrops and then explores construction of backdrops including different materials and applications. The clinic then delves into tips and tricks for making backdrops appear more realistic and dealing with some of the inherent problems in using backdrops. Finally, a standards-based approach to evaluating for the AP Scenery “Background” component is considered as another guideline.
12:15 PM — 1:15 PM: Lunch break (Box lunches available to purchase with registration or several restaurants are located nearby.)
1:15 PM — 2:15 PM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Grier Kuehn, Modeling Realistic Vehicles: For some, model vehicles are as serious a hobby as model railroading. To the rest of us they may not be the main characters on our layouts but play important roles. This clinic will focus on how some simple and fun steps can make vehicle of all price ranges more realistic to inure thy will enhance rather than detract. Although centered on HO, the theme carries over to all scales. A handout is included.
- Mirage: Neil Schorr, Capturing the Commonwealth: Inspired by a trip to Pennsylvania’s Juniata River Valley in 1975, Neal has attempted to capture the scenic beauty of that area on his model railroad which depicts PRR’s Middle Division. He will identify the critical geologic and scenic features of central Pennsylvania as well as those of the railroad’s physical plant necessary to create a highly accurate model of that railroad. The layout has appeared numerous times in the model railroad press including MRP and GMR 2022
2:30 PM — 3:30 PM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Gordy Robinson, Introducing the NMRA “Interchange”: Gordy is the current President of the NMRA. He resides in Orkney, Scotland and will be presenting his clinic via ZOOM. The “NMRA Interchange” is a “new online member communication and meeting platform. This platform is designed to have the ability to connect NMRA members across the world, using your home computer or mobile device. It may also be used for a few upcoming national projects.”
- Mirage: Carl Wassink, Bringing Home the Gold: Carl, a founder and project engineer for Corry R.A.I.L.S., is presenting on the story and history of Climax A-313 as well as progress on bringing it home and plans to bring it back to life. The presentation includes a brief history of Climax Mfg., a background on the A-313, the challenge of bringing another Climax home to Corry, and the beginnings of Corry R.A.I.L.S.
3:45 PM — 4:45 PM: Clinics
- Desert Dining: Jerry Jordak, Postcards From the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie: Jerry’s presentation is a before- and-after look at many of Howard Fogg’s Pittsburgh & Lake Erie paintings. The twenty-five minute presentation contains images, narration, and music rolled into one. Jerry will have time for Q and A afterwards.
- Mirage: James Whipple, Modular Models: This clinic, from an experienced modular railroader, explores the construction of models to meet the various needs of a traveling or modular layout. The clinic covers design, build materials, detailing, finishing, transport, and more.
4:45 PM — 5:45 PM: End-of-day wrap up with raffle drawings and complimentary hors d’oeuvres