Clinics and Seminars at the
Gateway 2001 NMRA National Convention
This is the final schedule of
clinics, demonstrations and seminars held at the Gateway
2001 NMRA National Convention in St. Louis in July of
2001. The clinicians passed on their knowledge, tips,
techniques and anecdotes to increase their audiences'
enjoyment of the hobby.
 All clinics were
held all on one level in the main convention hotel
(Regal Riverfront). The clinic rooms adjoined the
contest, auction, company store, SIG and tour bus
assembly and transportation areas, making it easy for
attendees to go between clinics and any of these other
activities. Click on the floor plan at right to see a
larger version.
All clinics were scheduled for a one-hour period with
additional time for questions and set-up except for a
few noted as "double sessions." Double
sessions ran for 2½ hours. Check the Master Schedule
for listings by day, time and room.
Click here for a list of
clinics by topic.
Albers, Gerry
Signal Systems in Model Railroading
Tuesday 12:30 pm Clark
Thursday 3:30 pm Clark
Basic prototype signal practices to advanced
electronic techniques, with detailed description of
Allen McClelland’s Virginian & Ohio recently
upgraded signal system including its hardware and
software. Emphasis on the benefits of operation and
animation. Descriptive charts, photos of prototype and
model signals. Original and modern prototype signal
practices with tips on how to simplify the prototype
system for model railroading; various types of model
railroad detectors, logic circuits, throttles, drive
circuits, CTC panels.
Ames, Deborah
See Lenz, Bernd.
Ames, Stan
Advanced Acknowledgement: The Next Evolution for NMRA
DCC
Monday 3:30 pm Soulard
Tuesday 3:30 pm Soulard
Tracking train location, improved function response,
and tactile performance feedback are among the
enhancements to be achieved through Advanced
Acknowledgement. In 1993 the NMRA DCC working group
first started working on techniques for achieving
Advanced Acknowledgement. In 1996 Zimo presented a
working solution proving the concept, but judged too
limiting. In 2000 Lenz presented a working solution with
extensibility. An exploration of the options and
demonstration of this next evolution for NMRA DCC.
Ames, Stan and Brian Barnt
The NMRA 2001 DCC Roundtable
Thursday 6:30 pm Laclede
Nine years ago the NMRA DCC Working Group began to
generate standards for a whole new generation of model
railroad control, which has become known as NMRA Digital
Command Control or DCC. Each year the DCC Working Group
and the NMRA DCC SIG sponsor a manufacturer’s forum
where DCC users and manufacturers can interact as a
group. All DCC manufacturers in attendance will be
invited to be on a panel. After a brief presentation of
new products and company plans, the floor will be opened
for questions from the audience. This no-holds-barred
session is a must for DCC users and potential users.
Ames, Stan
Selecting a DCC System that Best Fits Your Needs
Monday 6:30 pm Lewis
Wednesday 6:30 pm Lewis
Ten years ago the NMRA initiated an effort to
generate standards for a whole new generation of model
railroad control, which has become known as NMRA Digital
Command Control or DCC. More than 15 manufacturers now
produce compatible control systems built to the NMRA DCC
specification. With so many good choices for a model
railroad control system, how do you choose what is best
for your needs? We will review the current choices and
help you select the features that are most important for
your railroad.
Barnt, Brian
See Ames, Stan.
Belt, Gordon
Director of A.C. Kalmbach Memorial Library
Researching Your Models
Monday 10:00 am Soulard
Bragdon, Joel of Bragdon
Enterprises
Creating Geodesic Foam Scenery
Monday 8:30 – 11:00 am Field
Tuesday 8:30 – 11:00 am Field
An in-depth and comprehensive look at all aspects of
cast resin-foam scenery. Using fast, easy and clean
methods, a mountain railroad diorama will be sceniced
during the clinic from the bench work up. Foam bench
work and roadbed, foam hard shell and resin/foam rock
casting will be demonstrated. Painting foam scenery,
modeling water, vegetation and final detailing will be
covered. This clinic is two hours.
Bragdon, Joel of Bragdon Enterprises
Fast and Easy Weathering
Wednesday 12:30 pm Laclede
Thursday 12:30 pm Laclede
Learn to weather models realistically by learning
from nature and the real world. Examine interesting
techniques and both old and new methods and materials
that are quick and easy to learn and do. A hand-on
session during the later portion of the clinic will give
everyone an opportunity to try several of these methods.
Bragdon, Joel of Bragdon Enterprises
RTV Mold Making and Resin Casting for the
Modelmaker
Monday 6:30 pm Field
Tuesday 6:30 pm Field
One piece, multiple piece and split molds will be
demonstrated for a variety of types of RTV rubber molds
used for reproducing detail parts, rolling stock,
vehicles, structures or almost anything. Casting with a
variety of materials including fast curing, new
generation polymer resins will be covered.
Buellesbach, Melanie
Associate Editor, Model Railroader
Model Railroader Magazine’s N Scale
Carolina Central
Tuesday 3:30 pm Lewis
Thursday 10:00 am Lewis
Step-by step construction of this N scale project
built on a door.
Carstens, Hal
St. Louis Union Station As It Was
Tuesday 3:30 pm Clark
Thursday 8:30 am Clark
Three visits to St. Louis Union Station: 1970—NMRA
fan trip in open gondolas across the Mississippi, around
the yards, and return when Union Station still was
operative and the highway across the yard tracks into
the train shed had just been started. 1949—A ride
wangled on a TRRA switcher with its employee coach when
the St. Louis trolleys and Illinois Terminal still ran
with lots of long-gone neat stuff. 1945—My troop train
stopped, so I dug out my old Argus. This was during WWII
and if I’d done the same thing from one of the bridges
overlooking the terminal I’d have been arrested for
shooting vital war secrets. It was an era of Pennsy K4s,
NYC J class Hudson, Frisco Firefly engines, gas
electrics.
Chubb, Bruce A., MMR
Achieving Prototypical Operations
Tuesday 2:00 pm Jefferson
Thursday 3:30 pm Lewis
How to more closely emulate real railroading
practices. By adapting real life considerations and the
prototype actions of professional railroaders into our
railroads, we can increase the realism and enjoyment of
operating sessions. Operations on many prominent model
railroads throughout the U.S. and the prototypical
operational features of the new Sunset Valley Oregon
System emulating the prototypical interactions of ten
railroads operating in the Pacific Northwest.
Chubb, Bruce A., MMR
Interfacing a Computer to Your Model Railroad
Tuesday 12:30 pm Jefferson
Thursday 12:30 pm Lewis
Thursday 6:30 pm Jefferson
Exciting updates to the Computer Model Railroad
Interface (C/MRI) includes the application of new card
designs that made computer interfacing simpler.
Applications focus on the joys of reducing layout
wiring, the DCC Optimized Detector, basic signaling
systems, computer cab control, computer block control,
day/night lighting sequencing, fast clocks, staging
track control, and interfacing to Command Control
including full compatibility with DCC. This
straightforward computer interfacing can greatly
increase your railroad’s prototypical realism and
hobby enjoyment.
Chubb, Bruce A., MMR
Signaling Your Model Railroad
Tuesday 10:00 am Jefferson
Wednesday 10:00 am Jefferson
Thursday 8:00 pm Jefferson
Make it easier to add signals to your railroad by
implementing simple signaling up through full-fledged
Centralized Traffic control (CTC). The differences
between Automatic Block Signals (ABS),
Absolute-Permissive Block (APB) and CTC signaling are
explained along with their impact on how our railroads
are operated. Topics to be discussed include how to
signal junctions and terminal areas including the use of
entrance — exit interlocking to simplify control panel
design and operation; train dispatching as it relates to
different signaling systems; and constructing and
interfacing to a dispatcher’s CTC panel, along with
the option of using computer graphics to emulate the
most modern dispatching operations. Designed for
everyone interested in adding signals to make
railroading more realistic and enjoyable.
Chubb, Bruce A., MMR
Updates on the Sunset Valley Oregon System
Tuesday 6:30 pm Laclede
Wednesday 8:30 am Jefferson
Thursday 10:00 am Jefferson
Master Model Railroader Chubb and the Sunset Valley
operating crew are deep into rebuilding the SV System to
model ten prototype railroads operating in the Pacific
Northwest in 1956. Features include replicating the SP
trackage from Portland OR to Dunsmuir CA using the
Siskiyou line, SP’s famous Coos Bay branch, abundant
SP&S trackage, independent logging and mining
operations, as well as the NP, GN and UP operations into
Portland. Up to four decks are being employed in the
construction that occupies 2,800 sq. ft. This fast
moving color slide presentation provides an exciting
status update of this monumental effort.
Clark, Robert A.
Freight Train Operation Handbooks
Monday 2:00 pm Lewis
Tuesday 8:00 pm Lewis
Some prototype railroads used what Doug Gurin called
"Train Procedures Directories" to manage
freight train services. The clinic describes the
contents of such a handbook for operating model
railroads, supported by prototype and model examples.
Topics included are traffic flows; identifying trains;
modeling particular trains; scheduling (timetables); car
blocking and train makeup; handling empties; foreign and
home road connections and interchanges; and producing
the handbook.
Darnaby, Bill
Breaking the Rules or How I Built the Maumee
Monday 8:30 am Jefferson
Thursday 2:00 pm Jefferson
Friday 8:00 pm Jefferson
Darnaby, Bill
China Steam 2001
Monday 8:00 pm Clark
Slides from four different locations in Northern
China and Mongolia
Eaton, Leslie, MMR
Tips and Tricks for Scratchbuilding and Kitbashing
Tuesday 10:00 am Lewis
Tuesday 8:00 pm Clark
New and surprising tools and techniques to improve
your scratchbuilding and kitbuilding skills. Presented
at Kansas City, St. Paul, and San Jose, this clinic is
updated each year. Appropriate for modelers of all
scales and levels — beginners through MMRs.
Eaton, Leslie, MMR
Nano-Animation for Under $10
Monday 10:00 am Lewis
Wednesday 10:00 am Lewis
Add realism and action to your railroad with nano-scale
animation! Leslie will show you how to add simple and
inexpensive animation to your layout. Explore how to
create special lighting effects as well as
motion-animation with readily available parts for all
scales. Several sources for inexpensive lights, motors
and parts will be shared as well as schematics and
building techniques.
Farner, Doug, MMR
How Computer Switchlist Will Enhance Your Operating
Sessions
Thursday 2:00 pm Clark
Thursday 8:00 pm Laclede
RailOP for Windows is a very flexible computer
program that provides all the paperwork necessary for an
operating session. See the program in operation and have
an opportunity to ask questions.
Feeney, Kevin
A Look at the Illinois Central through Its Annual
Reports: 1945-1962
Wednesday 8:30 am Soulard
As a publicly owned company, the Illinois Central
Railroad was required to issue annual reports to its
shareholders and bondholders. These annual reports,
which are readily available, provide a wealth of
information on traffic patterns, railroad operations,
additions and changes to motive power and rolling stock,
and information on the railroad industry as a whole.
This presentation reviews the ICRR’s annual reports
from the post-World War II period until 1962. In 1963,
the public entity became Illinois Central Industries,
Inc., a non-rail holding company.
Feeney, Kevin
Modeling the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad
Friday 10:00 am Soulard
A detailed look at the available HO models for the
C&EI, which served St. Louis for many years up until
the mid-1970s.
Fink, Neal
Building an Imaginary Wabash Subsidiary Railroad
Wednesday 2:00 pm Clark
The railroad is the St. Louis & Hannibal, which
existed 1880-1962 in eastern Missouri. Although the
Wabash never was in control, they thought about it from
time to time. My model effort is predicated on actual
control. I therefore have the freedom to give St L &
H locomotives and equipment the Wabash "family
appearance." Slides and videotape will illustrate
this effort, as well as the local terrain.
Frankrone, Bob
Open Loads
Tuesday 2:00 pm Clark
Friday 8:00 pm Clark
Saturday 10:00 am Clark
Geersten, Mike
Microsoft Train Simulator—Activity Creation
Thursday 10:00 am Field
Thursday 8:00 pm Field
An overview of the powerful Activity Editor included
with the simulation, showing you how to create your
challenging rail activities for your Microsoft Train
Simulator routes, from recreating and running a
real-world passenger timetable to setting up complex
yard switching or local freight activities. Learn how to
design your own challenges and email them to friends to
try.
Geersten, Mike
Microsoft Train Simulator—Route Building
Thursday 8:30 am Field
Thursday 6:30 pm Field
Gough, Ron
Scratch Building 101: The Very Basics
Monday 12:30 pm Soulard
The very, very, very basics of scratch
building in any scale. Starting from
"scratch," the clinic demonstrates the basic
procedures and principles for the purpose of encouraging
scratch building rather than trying to teach specific
techniques. Included is a step-by-step process of how to
apply the basics with the construction of a simple
structure and a box car. Wood will be used as the
construction material, but the basics apply to any
medium.
Gough, Ron
Scratch Building 102: Planning with Photos
Friday 10:00 am Field
One of the primary reasons to scratch build is the
ability to create and duplicate prototypically correct
structures and pieces of rolling stock for the layout.
This slide presentation provides a step-by-step process
of the selection of a subject, taking the photographs,
determining measurements and converting the photos into
a working scale model plan of choice. Features a start
to finish illustration of the building of a model from
photos.
Grosser, Rene
Scratchbuilding Techniques and Materials
Thursday 10:00 am Clark
Thursday 12:30 pm Clark
Learn methods of using commercially available
products for scratch-building structures and modeling
actual structures and buildings as accurately as
possible. Enhance details to appear as they do on the
prototype, using Holgate and Reynolds plastic brick, CMU
block, random rock, cut stone, shingles, and other
profiles; Evergreen siding such as clapboard, novelty
siding, strip styrene and shapes, as well as plain
styrene sheet, and doors and windows from other
suppliers. Demonstration will include simple and
inexpensive ways to add interior lighting and details,
and to decorate floors and walls with curtains, drapes,
and pictures; how to make stucco concrete for outside
walls on styrene structures; painting with a brush,
adding mortar detail to brick and stone; and applying
glue on shingles and wood construction to achieve a
smooth and clean finish.
Gust, Steve
A Day in the Life of a Train Dispatcher
Tuesday 10:00 am Soulard
Wednesday 12:30 pm Soulard
Take this opportunity to ask questions of a veteran
train dispatcher for the prototype.
Gust, Steve
Operation Basics
Tuesday 8:30 am Soulard
Wednesday 10:00 am Soulard
Aimed at those "would be" modelers with an
interest in operations, we’ll address the basics of
operations with examples of operating schemes,
vocabulary, rules and how to get started.
Hale, Fran and Miles Hale,
MMR
Cities and Villages — The DPM Way
Monday 12:30 pm Jefferson
Thursday 8:30 am Lewis
Virtually every layout includes villages, towns, or
cities — and they all need buildings. DPM has the full
city system you need to build whatever structures you
want. Come learn easy techniques and tips for building
the size, shape, and style of buildings your city needs
with DPM kits and modular wall sections.
Hale, Fran and Miles Hale, MMR
Foam SubTerrain — the Woodland Scenics Way
Monday 10:00 am Jefferson
Tuesday 3:30 pm Jefferson
The newest method for building your layout or module
is with high-density foam. Woodland Scenics has it all
in the SubTerrain system and this clinic will show you
how to use it. Learn how to create a fast and easy
layout using no woodworking skills or tools and with
very little mess.
Hale, Fran and Miles Hale, MMR
Terrain and Landscaping — the Woodland Scenics Way
Monday 2:00 pm Jefferson
Tuesday 6:30 pm Jefferson
Start with the terrain up to see how easy it is to
model ground cover, bushes, grasses, weeds, and trees
for your layout. Learn simple blending and layering
techniques that provide ultimate realism as you add both
color and texture to your layout. Designed to help you
begin a new layout or add finishing touches to an
existing one, landscaping is easy and almost magic when
done this way.
Hale, Miles, MMR and John Lowrance, MMR
The Sky’s the Limit
Monday 3:30 pm Jefferson
Tuesday 8:00 pm Jefferson
John and Miles show how to construct and paint the
background for your model railroad using an innovative
technique for spray stencil painting of mountains,
clouds, and cities. They also show how to make your
layout room cornerless with a "cyclorama"
backdrop. These techniques are designed for the
artistically challenged and require no previous art
experience. Share the laughter with these two backdrop
wizards.
Harriman, Pat, MMR
Introduction to the NMRA Achievement Program
Monday 10:00 am Laclede
The NMRA’s Achievement Program, operation,
structure and regulations will be explained in detail.
Emphasis will be placed on how you can earn Certificates
of Achievement on the road to becoming a Master Model
Railroader (MMR).
Harriman, Pat, MMR
Contest Judging
Monday 12:30 pm Laclede
Hile, Steve
Modeling the Rock Island Freight Car Fleet, Circa 1952
Thursday 12:30 pm Soulard
Friday 8:30 am Field
The revolution in available freight car models in
recent years has made it possible to build credible
models of many (or most) of the prototypes on any given
railroad and era. 1952 was a watershed year on the Rock
Island. It was its centennial year and marked the
official completion of dieselization. So there was the
last of the steam and the advent of snappy black and red
diesels. Large numbers of new freight cars were added to
the roster in the post war years, but many cars dating
to before World War I were still in active use.
Prototype photos are displayed alongside those of
available HO models with a roster handout.
Hitchcock, Chuck, MMR
A Special Project
Thursday 12:30 pm Field
Hobbs, Paul
Business Cars: Their Operations and Modeling
Possibilities
Tuesday 12:30 pm Field
Wednesday 8:30 am Field
Huddleston, Debra
Foreground Quality Trees
Monday 2:00 pm Clark
Wednesday 3:30 pm Soulard
In a hands-on double session from Accurate
Dimensionals Scale Landscaping, participants will
make and take home foreground quality trees.
Hundman, Robert L. of Mainline
Modeler
Double Wall Structure Construction
Tuesday 2:00 pm Lewis
Wednesday 3:30 am Lewis
Hundman, Robert L. of Mainline Modeler
Styrene Tips and Techniques
Tuesday 12:30 pm Lewis
Friday 10:00 am Lewis
Ireland, Zana
DCC: The Wave of the Future Is Now!
An introduction to DCC from Digitrax, Inc.
Monday 8:30 am Lewis
Tuesday 8:30 am Lewis
Ireland, Zana
Digitrax User Forum
Thursday 8:00 pm Clark
Ask and answer questions about Digitrax and
hear about new products.
Kannry, Harry
Proper Lubrication of Train Equipment
Thursday 6:30 pm Soulard
Friday 8:30 am Soulard
Katzer, Matt
Computer Interface Application Design
Wednesday 8:30 am Clark
Wednesday 6:30 pm Clark
A demonstration of the techniques of using the
proposed NMRA API’s to control your model railroad
layout will include software techniques on how to hook
up your computer to your railroad, discussion of
building quick tools in your internet browser and/or
visual basic to manage and control a DCC model railroad.
Clinic assumes some knowledge of using computer
development language.
Keller, Christopher J.
Computer Uses for Model Railroaders
Monday 3:30 pm Lewis
Tuesday 12:30 pm Soulard
Computers have been used by model railroaders for
many things from layout design to traffic management and
scenery to simulations. Here is your chance to find out
what is available, tips and ideas on how to use it, plus
a chance to ask computer-related questions.
Koester, Tony
Raising a Fallen Flag—the NKP’s St. Louis Line
Friday 8:30 am Jefferson
Saturday 8:30 am Jefferson
Model Railroad Planning editor and Model
Railroader’s "Trains of Thought"
columnist presents an update on his ongoing efforts to
recreate in miniature a portion of the Nickel Plate Road’s
main line to St. Louis in 1954. He will focus on
multi-level layout design and construction.
Kohlberg, Daniel
Illinois Central Gulf Steel Cabooses: 1972 to 1987,
Prototypes and Models
Wednesday 8:00 pm Soulard
Thursday 3:30 pm Soulard
The ICG was formed in 1972 with the merger of the
Illinois Central and the Gulf Mobile & Ohio.
Combined, the two roads rostered over 800 steel cabooses
in 16 series. This is an overview of the different steel
classes and modeling possibilities in HO scale.
Kolm, Rich
Making Turnouts Electrically Reliable
Monday 10:00 am Clark
Thursday 8:30 am Soulard
Turnouts (sometimes called switches) often have
built-in electrical problems, which can hamper the
smooth operation of trains. Electrical features of
turnouts, typical power feed problems, and how to modify
turnouts to make them electrically reliable will be
discussed, including special requirements of DCC, the
characteristics of a DCC-friendly or ideal DC turnout,
and what to look for when selecting prefabricated
turnouts. The focus will be on HO scale, but much of the
information applies to other scales as well.
Kreimendahl, Brian
Intermodal Editor, Railmodel Journal
Basics of Intermodal Trailers
Wednesday 10:00 am Clark
Wednesday 3:30 pm Clark
Prototype and modeling issues related to the
intermodal trailers used in rail transport for the last
25 years including trailers owned by railroads,
equipment leasing companies, and private carriers. The
history of trailer sizes and types as related to various
modeling eras, available model kits and their
prototypical accuracy, and modeling suggestions.
Kreimendahl, Brian
Intermodal Terminals and Ramps: Prototypes and Modeling
Wednesday 12:30 pm Clark
Wednesday 8:00 pm Clark
This general survey of contemporary marine and
non-marine intermodal terminals from both a prototype
and a modeling perspective will cover intermodal
facility operations, lift equipment, support equipment,
facility design, available model kits and their
prototypical accuracy, and modeling suggestions.
Lana, Patrick, MMR
Modeling the Midwest, Enjoying the Rockies—Modeling
Agriculture
Tuesday 8:30 am Laclede
Wednesday 10:00 am Laclede
The many faces of agriculture in different seasons
and regions of the US, but mostly in the Midwestern
summer. Favorite methods of modeling agriculture
including research and modeling of crops, livestock,
buildings and machinery. Tips on modeling N scale crops
like corn, soybeans, and hay can be applied to other
scales.
Larson, Lloyd
From the Track Back
Wednesday 3:30 pm Lewis
Friday 8:30 am Lewis
A slide presentation on detailing commercial track
and trackside structures, creating background scenery
and the use of backdrops to establish a season and time
frame. Creating the illusion of distance through the
compression of structural size and color. A 2x4-foot
diorama will be sceniced and lighted in 3 different
seasonal settings.
Leaman, Jeff
We’re from the Government and We’re Here to Help
You, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the FRA
Monday 6:30 pm Soulard
Tuesday 6:30 pm Soulard
Ever wondered why railroads do what they do? It may
be because of a number of federal operating and safety
regulations they are required to adhere to. An
encapsulated digest of important federal regulations and
their possible application in the model railroad world.
Air brake testing, radio communications, hours of
service laws, operating practices, mechanical rules and
others all provide an insight you may not have had
before and possibilities you may not have considered.
Lee, John of Badger Airbrush
Company
Airbrush Your Freight Car
Monday 6:30 pm Jefferson
A hands-on double session clinic sponsored by Badger
Airbrush Company and LBF. Each participant
will paint an LBF freight car with a Badger airbrush and
MODELflex paint and then decal the car with custom-made
convention-style decals to take home. Add this to your
collection from previous conventions.
Lee, John
American Model Builders
LaserKit’s Annual Make & Take Session
Wednesday 6:30 pm Jefferson
This double session make and take clinic is designed
to introduce both beginner and experienced modelers to
building laser-cut wood structure kits. A brief
presentation will be made on how laser-cut kits are
designed and produced, followed by the hands-on portion.
Each attendee will receive a specially designed LaserKit
to assemble and paint under the guidance of AMB
and Badger staff. This is the third in an
on-going series of structure kits being presented at
NMRA conventions. Limited to 150 people.
Lenz, Bernd and Deborah
Ames
Digital Plus by Lenz Users’ Forum
Wednesday 8:00 pm Field
Thirteen years ago Lenz Elektronik produced the first
DCC decoder using a protocol that later became the basis
of the entire DCC industry. Hear about the latest
developments in DIGITAL plus by Lenz including
our latest two-way decoder/command station communication
called RailCom. This forum will familiarize you
with the company and its policies and explore the
direction of the DIGITAL plus line of NMRA DCC
from the creator of DCC. Special emphasis on users’
technical questions, advanced DCC tips, concerns and
ideas for new products.
Lenz, Robert
Traveling by Rail
Tuesday 12:30 pm Laclede
Thursday 10:00 am Laclede
Robert’s knowledge of passenger rail travel comes
from having a booth at rail shows throughout New York
state, traveling 20,000 – 30,000 miles each year on
both Amtrak and VIA rail, having assisted Valerie Lear
of Amtrak Marketing doing presentations to groups in
Western New York and doing an information booth at the
Western New York Event Center.
Lindblade, Carl
The Flying Yankee—It’s More than a Train
Thursday 8:00 pm Soulard
By 1934 passenger rail travel had fallen by half from
the beginning of the Great Depression. As so often
happens Americans brought ingenuity into the face of
adversity, new design, new technology, envelope
expanding prime movers. Hear the story of the beginning
of the Streamline Era and learn what it did for America
then. It’s been said that The Flying Yankee
represented tomorrow yesterday. An ambitious restoration
effort is underway to restore the Yankee to original
operating condition following FRA/Amtrak
recommendations.
Logothetis, Nick
Using 3D Railroad, Concept & Design to Design Your
Model Railroad
Friday 8:00 pm Lewis
Saturday 10:00 am Lewis
Lowrance, John, MMR
See Hale, Miles.
Maladecki, Thomas
Realistic Carved Foam Scenery
Thursday 2:00 pm Field
Thursday 3:30 pm Field
Mayer, Gene
Justifying a Freelance Railroad Design
Thursday 8:30 am Laclede
Thursday 3:30 pm Laclede
McGuirk, Marty of Model
Railroader
Building Resin Freight Cars and Structures
Tuesday 2:00 pm Field
Tuesday 3:30 pm Field
Meetz, Richard
See Weyand
Miller, Ralph
Art Techniques to Enhance Realism
Thursday 2:00 pm Laclede
Miller, Ralph
Tuning Athearn and Similar Systems
Wednesday 2:00 pm Laclede
Morris, Don and Morris,
Alice
H & R Trains, Inc.
Look What’s Growing in the Garden
Saturday 8:30 am Field
A quick and easy approach on how to build a garden
railroad, including the benefits of using stainless
steel track. Building a railroad in your garden can be a
fun and rewarding experience. Our ideas, tips and advice
from years of experience will keep you on the right
track.
Morrison, Bob
Weathering with Chalk
Monday 12:30 pm Field
Monday 2:00 pm Field
Add dirt, rust and general grime to your railroad at
a level of commitment that you can live with! An
interactive opportunity to learn some basic weathering
skills and practice these ideas on site, including the
use of both dry and wet chalk, how to make your own
weathering colors out of readily available chalks and
whether to seal or not to seal. Bring a couple of
brushes and that car, loco or building that just begs to
be weathered and get your hands dirty while having fun!
Nesbit, William
Kitbashing the Walthers Car Float
Monday 8:30 am Clark
Nichols, Joe
Detailing Passenger Car Interiors
Friday 10:00 am Jefferson
Saturday 10:00 am Jefferson
Detailing interiors, how to scratch-build components
of baggage-mail cars, mass produce coach seats and build
restrooms, making dining car tables, chairs, china and
silverware and flowers in vases, detailing sleepers and
observation cars. How to prepare the car with exterior
detail, adding weight, and replacing trucks and couplers
on plastic cars like Rivarossi, IHC, Eastern Car Works.
A simple way to add rear-end marker lights to the
observation car. Several detailed cars and small
demonstration modules will be available.
Osborn, Daniel
What’s in the Tool Box?
Monday 6:00 pm Laclede
Wednesday 6:00 pm Laclede
An introduction to what is new in the hobby and to
unusual adaptations of tools brought in from other
hobbies.
Osborne, Carter
Diesel Locomotive Model and Weathering Techniques
Wednesday 12:30 pm Lewis
Wednesday 6:30 pm Field
Techniques for building diesel locomotive models from
start to finish, from an undecorated shell to a finished
model. Construction, painting, decaling and weathering
ideas.
Parker, Creston B.
Building an Advanced Module
Tuesday 10:00 am Clark
Tuesday 6:30 pm Clark
Patterson, Ken
Model Railroading Techniques
Wednesday 3:30 pm Laclede
Persing, Ray
Scratchbuilding Wood Structures
Monday 8:00 pm Lewis
Saturday 8:30 am Lewis
Nothing makes a more realistic model of a wood
structure than using wood as a modeling medium. In an
era when craftsman kits are becoming increasingly
expensive, scratchbuilding makes high-quality models
possible on a budget. For the modeler who is considering
scratchbuilding but either hasn’t started or has
started with limited success. We’ll cover techniques
used in constructing wood models by stepping through the
construction of a prize-winning structure. Methods used
to build a Merit Award quality model, as well as a
number of warnings of things not to do, and alternative
methods to achieve similar effects.
Pollock, Allen
Meet the NMRA President
Tuesday 6:30 pm Lewis
Questions and answers. . . .
Providenza, Jim
Vintage Dated F Units
Tuesday 2:00 pm Laclede
Friday 8:30 am Laclede
We have often been advised that "all our cars
and locomotives should be weathered." Weathering
can do more than create a general atmosphere however.
Jim looks at resources for research, details and paints
several model locomotives, and then uses a number of
weathering techniques to "vintage date"
specific locomotives to the 1971-72 time period he
models. He then compares these to the way the
locomotives appeared both earlier and later within a
ten-year time span. Western Pacific F units never looked
so "bad"!
Sacco, Jim of City
Classics
A Brief History of the American Gas Station and Some
Tips for Modeling One
Wednesday 2:00 pm Lewis
Wednesday 8:00 pm Lewis
Photos of old service stations (including new ones
since the last presentation!) and some hints and tips to
help modelers produce a more accurate model of a gas
station.
Saxon, Gary
Really Big Dreams in an Unlikely Not So Big Space
Monday 2:00 pm Laclede
Imagine a layout that (1) stays true to the spirit of
the prototype, (2) has an area equal to 180% of the room
area, (3) is nearly 20 scale miles long, and (4) shares,
as opposed to takes over the dining room. After a short
review of the prototype, we will jump into the design
evolution which includes the use of low end computer
"draw" and spread sheet programs, everyday
experiences and observations, and simple experiments to
establish design criteria. A companion clinic reviewing
construction immediately follows in the same room.
Saxon, Gary
Amateur Carpentry, Irresponsible Engineering and Dream
Fulfillment
Monday 3:30 pm Laclede
A sequel to "Really Big Dreams," this moves
from theoretical to plywood, paint and particulars. One
key is minimalist modules, incredibly thin at ¼ inch
but strong enough to support 200 pounds. About 20 square
feet (6%) of the layout has been brought to St. Louis so
you can see and touch the real thing. Complimenting the
thin modules is a review of some lightweight scenery
techniques. An easy to duplicate four way (chop, rip,
plane and pattern cut) styrene foam cutting tool will be
demonstrated.
Schlotfeldt, Ken of Badger
Airbrush Company
Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Your
Airbrush But Didn’t Know to Ask
Wednesday 2:00 pm Field
A double session. The basics: Choosing an airbrush
and the terminology and reasoning for the different
types of applicable airbrushes; which is best for
different model railroading applications. Using an
airbrush, the basics of usage such as what pressures to
spray at as well as different air sources, types of
paint and how they will work in the airbrush, distance
from your surface. Maintaining your airbrush: cleaning
while working, cleaning for storage, assembly and
disassembly, troubleshooting.
Selzer, Marvin
JigStones, the Kit that Doesn’t Quit
Friday 8:30 am Clark
Saturday 10:00 am Soulard
Tired of seeing the same plastic models on everyone’s
line, wishing your wooden buildings would hold up
longer, longing for realistic buildings, stone bridges
and more? JigStones durable silicon mold system
allows you to produce concrete and plastic modular
construction pieces in stone, brick, slate, or clapboard
to build individual buildings for G scale quickly,
inexpensively and permanently. A kit is also available
in HO scale. Molds for roofs, doors, windows and more
are also available.
Sperandeo, Andy of Model
Railroader
Handlaying a Turnout
Friday 10:00 am Clark
Saturday 10:00 am Laclede
Handlaying a turnout, with tips on a complete
trackwork system, a one-hour slide show with a handout
listing tools and materials I’m using to build track
on my home layout.
Spurlock, Loy
Digi Hints, Tips and Tricks
Monday 8:00 pm Laclede
Friday 8:00 pm Laclede
Spurlock, Loy
Reverse Control
Saturday 8:30 am Laclede
Strang, Lionel
Workin’ On the Railroad
Thursday 8:30 am Jefferson
Thursday 12:30 am Jefferson
Thursday 3:30 pm Jefferson
This clinic brings to life Lionel’s "Workin’
On the Railroad" column seen in Model Railroader
magazine. Plenty of photos of finished projects as
well as lots of "how to" slides. Most of the
projects featured in the column can be approached with
simplicity and accomplished with short cuts. See how
this is done using examples from many previous columns
on topics ranging from how to organize your workbench to
installing DCC on your layout. You may even get a sneak
peek at ideas slated for upcoming issues.
Swanson, Samuel
Scenic Detailing
Tuesday 3:30 pm Laclede
Wednesday 8:30 am Laclede
Swanson, Samuel
Scratchbuilding and Finishing Techniques
Thursday 2:00 pm Lewis
Friday 10:00 am Laclede
Treutelaar, Ty
Hawaiian Railroads: Past and Present
Wednesday 2:00 pm Soulard
Thursday 10:00 am Soulard
Hawaiian railroading, both past and present,
including plantation lines, common carriers, sugar
production, and structure on Oahu and Maui. Sun, sand,
surf, and trains. Take a breather from mainline
operations and enjoy an hour on the beaches of paradise.
Vecchione, Joe
Upgrading and Repairing Athearn Locomotives
Monday 12:30 pm Clark
Tuesday 2:00 pm Soulard
Maintenance, upgrade and repairs is demonstrated, as
discussed in the March 2001 NMRA Bulletin. How to
reduce current draw on Athearn locos, how to repair the
engine if a problem exists. Techniques apply to other
brands as well. Joe has repaired model trains
professionally for over 10 years.
Werner, Susan
Making Background Trees from Weeds
Monday 6:30 pm Clark
Many commercially available trees and tree kits
provide the modeler with excellent foreground trees, but
they are generally as expensive as they are beautiful.
Covering entire hills with commercial trees can become
prohibitive expensive. This is a demonstration of the
use of various natural and otherwise inexpensive
materials to make trees suitable for background and mass
plantings in various scales. Materials include wild
hydrangea, staghorn sumac, teasels, chenille, used
floral oasis, and leftover carpet padding.
Wangrow, Don
What’s New at System One
Tuesday 8:00 pm Laclede
Wednesday 8:00 pm Laclede
Warren, Bill
Going to Work on the Wabash
Monday 8:00 pm Soulard
The Wabash RR commuter train, and hide and tallow
freight train operations from Ferguson and St. Charles
to St. Louis from the 1890’s to the 1930’s will be
illustrated with slides of trains and historic
timetables from the 1800’s, the 1904 World’s Fair
extensive Wabash passenger operations, and the hide and
tallow freight trains of the 1940’s. Much of the
ex-Wabash track bed is now used by the highly successful
St. Louis MetroLink light rail line. Illustrations
include slides of the competition from the West End
Narrow Gage rail line.
Wesner, John
Track Planning: A Hands-On Experience
Tuesday 8:00 pm Soulard
Friday 8:00 pm Soulard
Clinic participants will learn and gain experience
with some simple design "tools" (methods)
which may be useful in layout planning and other aspects
of modeling.
Wesolowski, Wayne
Forty Years of Modeling Tips and Ideas
Wednesday 12:30 pm Field
Thursday 6:30 pm Lewis
Experts to beginners will be entertained and learn
new skills from this fast-paced potpourri of ideas,
tips, notions and philosophies about building better
models. Cutting your own stripwood, bending styrene,
weathering aluminum with olive oil, plaster and urethane
casting, building design with symmetry, and chemical
etching are just a few of the many topics covered in HO
to 1/12 scale.
Wesolowski, Wayne
The Lincoln Train Is Coming! Abraham Lincoln’s 1865
Funeral Train. An Adventure in 1/12 Scale Urethane
Casting
Wednesday 10:00 am Field
Thursday 8:00 pm Lewis
In 1864 the US Military Railroad System constructed
an opulent 16-wheel private car, "The United
States," for President Lincoln. It was used
officially only for the 14-day funeral trip from
Washington DC to Springfield, IL with 11 elaborate open
coffin funeral stops. Five years of historical research
and special urethane casting techniques were used to
build this museum quality exhibit. Slides and live
casting demonstration.
Weyand, Rich and Meetz, Richard
Eyesight, Aging and the Modeler
Monday 8:30 am Soulard
Monday 3:30 pm Field
Learn how the eye works; how its function changes
with age, the difficulties these changes present to the
modeler and methods of compensating for these changes so
that modeling activities need not be curtailed as the
modeler ages. Work area lighting, optical aids for
different working distances, dealing with dry eyes, and
more will be discussed by Dr. Meetz, Clinical Associate
Professor at Indiana University, and Rich Weyand, who
has BS and MS degrees in physics. Modelers of all ages
can continue to pursue detail modeling for hours at a
time without eyestrain or discomfort.
Weyand, Rich
Animated VB Control for Virtual CTC Panels
Monday 8:00 pm Field
Tuesday 8:00 pm Field
An animated VB control that greatly simplifies the
job of creating operating virtual CTC panels can be used
with the TracTronics SECSI control system, or with other
computer hardware to create prototype CTC panel
functions on the CRT screen. The approach allows the
modeler to begin CTC operations before the CTC panel is
completed, or to forego the construction of a physical
panel altogether. Includes using the control, methods
used in creating the control, and modifying the control
to meet specific needs.
Wickhorst, Charles
Open Loads
Monday 8:30 am Laclede
Tuesday 10:00 am Laclede
Wilson, Jeff; Associate
Editor, Model Railroader
Signs of the Times
Tuesday 8:30 am Clark
Thursday 6:30 pm Clark
Making realistic structure signs and billboards using
a variety of common (and some not-so-common) materials.
Also includes tips on using your computer to turn
photographs and other images into signs. Useful for all
scales.
Ziegler, Peter; President,
ZIMO Elektroniks (DCC)
Advanced DCC
Saturday 10:00 am Field
Peter Zigler, President, from Vienna, Austria, will
present on advanced DCC.
The St. Louis Art Museum:
Then and Now
Monday 9:00–10:00 am Jefferson A
An introduction to the Museum’s artistic and
architectural landmarks presented by Art Museum staff.
Building a respectable art collection and a national
reputation for the Art Museum were major goals of the
early 20th century. The history of the
Saint Louis Art Museum is a colorful and
distinguished one. Come and hear about the architectural
history of the Museum known as the Art Palace during the
World’s Fair in 1904 to the Saint Louis Art
Museum of today.
Unisphere-Star Gazer
St. Louis Science Center staff
Monday 10:30-11:30 am Jefferson F
Monday 3:00-4:00 pm Jefferson F
Be a stargazer! Come and relax with us as you view
the stars and constellations bringing the wonders of the
night sky to you in St. Louis Science Center’s
Unisphere, a portable air-conditioned planetarium. This
star-studded program is sure to be an eye catcher for
all.
African Safari
Dee & Jean Joseph
Monday 1:00-2:00 pm Jefferson A
Tuesday 5:00-6:00 pm Jefferson A
In 1999, Dee and Jean filmed their visit to bush
camps in Botswana and Zimbabwe with a private guide and
their own Land Rover. They hiked through the Chobe &
Hwange National Parks where game was abundant. At
Victoria Falls they boarded the luxury Blue Train
to Pretoria, S.A., toured Rovos Rail’s new Central
Park Station with a close inspection of their steam and
restored carriages. And who but Dee could finagle a
private midnight tour to photograph the steam sheds in
Bullwayo? (Dee says he gives autographs too.)
Zoo Preview
Dale Knight, St. Louis Zoo
Tuesday 9:00-10:00 am Jefferson A
Thursday 9:00-10:00 am Jefferson A
Welcome to St. Louis’s finest! Planning a trip to
the St. Louis Zoo? Thought about going, but not
sure what to see? Come look at a preview and history of
the St. Louis Zoo. We will take you on a tour
through our zoo and hit the highlights with special
exhibits, exotic and endangered animals, and previews of
upcoming attractions. This will pique your interest for
the upcoming trips to the zoo planned this week or sit
back and enjoy for the fun of it. Either way you will
have a terrific time!
Impressionism
St. Louis Art Museum staff
Tuesday 10:00-11:00 am Jefferson A
This clinic examines the use of light and color in 19th
Century French painting. Artists tended to apply paint
in intense hues and in innovative ways. These artists
were original and bold in their techniques. Their
application of light and color brought forth new
frontiers of expression. This laid the foundation for
the development of all 20th century art.
Spoon Angels
Betty Winthers
Tuesday 11:00 am - noon Jefferson A
Thursday 11:00 am - noon Jefferson A
Come and join the fun! Betty will show you how to
create a spoon angel pin. This is a make and take
workshop. Make it and wear it home as a remembrance from
the St. Louis 2001 Convention. A fee of $6.00 per pin
will be charged at the start of the clinic to cover the
cost of materials.
The Magic of the Garden
Anita Rayfield, Missouri Botanical Garden
Tuesday 3:30-4:30 pm Jefferson A
Enjoy a lighthearted jaunt through the Missouri
Botanical Garden. This journey is a unique perspective
through all the seasons. Be prepared for a magical tour
of fun and entertainment.
Women In Art
St. Louis Art Museum staff
Wednesday 9:00-10:00 am Jefferson A
This clinic is a delightful presentation, which
examines the contribution and role of women in the Arts
throughout history. Women have created fine art
throughout every age. From antiquity to the present,
women have been painters, sculptors, printmakers,
weavers, stonecutters and much more. The history of
women in the arts is a strong one. You will see
paintings that are a testimony to the talent of women
throughout the ages.
Planting to Attract Butterflies
Marshall Magner
Wednesday 10:00-11:00 am Jefferson A
Butterflies in the garden delight those of all ages.
Learn what you can do to encourage butterflies in your
garden. Tips will be provided by a master gardener to
tell you what butterflies and moths you will be able to
attract and what plants you can grow to provide food for
both adults and larvae.
The Lure of the Asian Gardens
Jacqueline Mitchell
Wednesday 2:00-3:00 pm Jefferson A
This slide presentation gives an overview of Japanese
and Chinese gardens. The use of symbolism and asymmetry
will illustrate the similarities and differences between
these two gardens and feature pictures taken by the
presenter while traveling through Japan and China.
Pop Impressions from Europe &
the U.S.A.
St. Louis Art Museum staff
Thursday 10:00-11:00 am Jefferson A
This is a presentation of ninety works highlighting
the important roles played by printed art in the pop
aesthetic world. Artists featured in this session will
be Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Indiana, and
Gerhart Richter. These prints are organized thematically
featuring multiples, math media, consumer culture, and
politics.
Dulcimer on the Rails
Judy Johnston
Thursday 2:00-3:00 pm Jefferson A
Friday 1:30-2:15 pm Jefferson A
Judy is an accomplished musician who will play train
tunes on her Mountain Dulcimer and Autoharp. She will
feature tunes such as The Rock Island Line, Wabash
Cannonball, Wreck of the Old Ninety-Seven, Mountain
Railroad and others. Judy has performed at Civil War
reenactments, Blue Grass Festivals, and programs for the
Daughters of the American Revolution. Come, relax,
enjoy, and have fun!
Garden Photography: The Art
of Seeing
Christine Fuerhoff, Missouri Botanical Garden
Friday 9:00-10:00 am Jefferson A
Christine Fuerhoff has been a Master Gardener with
the Missouri Botanical Garden since 1986. She was voted
"Master Gardener of the Year" in 1994. She
writes a monthly garden column for the Ladue News
in St. Louis. Christine shares her tips for
capturing the beauty of the world around us with her
camera. Come and find out how best to photograph your
garden railway and what plants are perfect to start your
own garden layout.
Earth Balloon
St. Louis Science Center staff
Friday 11:30 am – noon Missouri
Friday 1:00-1:30 pm Missouri
Friday 2:15-2:45 pm Missouri
Journey to the center of the Earth with us. Step
inside our 19-foot inflatable model of the physical
Earth. View the sights and learn some geographical facts
about our Earth. Step inside our wonderful world!
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