This is a program for Boy Scouts to complete all the requirements to earn the Railroading merit badge at the convention. This is for scouts of PCR members and scouts from the local area. If you have scouts that you want included, please contact John Marshall, Clinics Chairman. See the "BSA Railroading Merit Badge" page for more detailed information.

Whether you are just learning about DCC or a long-time NCE user, this forum has something for you. The forum will begin with an explanation and demonstration of each of NCE's different DCC systems, including the entry level PowerCab, the intermediate Smart Booster system, and the Powerhouse Pro system. Systems will be available so that you can try them out to get the hands-on feel for how it all works.

I will also talk about how you can interface the systems to a computer to use DecoderPro to make it easy to program decoders.

A quick introduction to a whole list of NCE accessories, including radio cabs, Mini Panels, Switch 8s, Switch Its, and Auxiliary Input Units (AIUs). Some automation examples using the Mini Panel will be demonstrated.

The first part of the forum will be somewhat structured, as the topics above will be discussed. After that, it will open up to topics that you would like to learn more about. Whether it is programming, setting up advanced consists, or anything else, all is fair game. It will be an opportunity to get your questions answered and learn from other NCE users.

A special bonus for radio users – If you bring your RB02 radio base station to the forum, you can get the new version 2 firmware upgrade loaded on your RB02 for free.

Visit Mark's website to download a PDF of this clinic.

DCC is a growing segment of our hobby. Installing a decoder in your favorite locomotive can appear deceptively easy and it can be, but that is not always the case. This clinic is an excellent introduction into the topic of DCC decoder installation for the first time modeler and an excellent refresher course for those who have done it before and had problems or need updated information.

Visit Mark's website to download a PDF of this clinic.

Admit it, you’re a hobbyholic! You never met a hobby shop you couldn’t stop at. Your eBay bill is in 5 figures every month. Someday you won’t be there to play with all that stuff. What happens then? Spouses are welcome to attend.

Building a Garden Railroad is very different that an indoor railroad. You have to work with the existing terrain, factor in weather extremes, allow for drainage and what about 1:1 size critters. We will discuss all of this and lots more as we look at the design and construction of my D&P Mountain Railroad.

Ya don't need a computer. Ya don't need CAD software. But you do need: 1) a broad concept, 2) a reasonable idea of what you intend to model, 3) where in the "world" you're located, 4) some general idea of what type of railroad you want (lonely branch, secondary mainline, major mainline, etc.), 5) what resources and experience do you have to actually build it, and 6) ONLY THEN what space do you want your "dream" to fit into?

This is a Layout Design Clinic for those who are novices, or tired of laboring over "how the heck do I do this?" Bring an 8½” x 11” pad with white ruled paper or, better yet, white graph paper (preferably with BLUE lines on your pad - all the better to scan or photograph for use later), a mechanical pencil and eraser, a handful of colored pens (roller ball-style are easy to use) or pencils - Recommended: Black, Blue, Red, and Green, and some sort of straight edge. If you don't have a 59-cent ruler, I'll show you an even "cheaper" choice. Part 1 of this two-part clinic will cover "what you should know" before you do anything - history, research, resources, etc. Part 2 will cover "anyone can do them" sketching techniques and sample layout "concepts" as proposed by the audience.

Layout Design 101 is designed to give the bedroom (100 sq ft) to less-than-garage-size (perhaps 300 sq ft) "dream world" a chance of becoming a reality.

Come back to the SIG Clinic room after dinner and participate in a "Meet and Greet" with other SIG members and anyone interested in layout design. We'll have introductions all around and a moderated discussion of layout design topics. Bring your plans and we'll select a couple to review as a group. Then stay for the OPSIG meeting and discuss operating possibilities! All convention attendees are welcome!

If you have never attended Mark’s clinic on rebuilding and reworking brass locomotives and you have a couple of them that need attention, this clinic is a must. Mark is an expert at reconstructing brass locomotives and making them run like the jewels they appear to be.

Visit Mark's website to download a PDF of this clinic.

Tom will present an overview of commercially available products and typical techniques for modeling narrow gauge in 1:148 – 1:160 scales. The clinic will cover:

• A brief history of “Nn3” from the 1950’s to present
• Locomotives (Kit, R-T-R, and “Parts-Built”)
• DCC and Sound
• Rolling Stock (Kit and R-T-R, Freight, Passenger, and Non-Revenue)
• Track Work (Sectional, Flex, Hand-Laid, Ballasting)
• Modules, Module Standards and Clubs

The Power Point presentation will be supplemented by pass-around samples, a hand-out, and the operating Nn3 modular layout on show at the Convention, presented by the NorCal Division of the international group, The Nn3 Alliance. The layout has appeared at numerous NMRA and NNGC conventions and includes many of the products and techniques discussed in the clinic. (The Nn3 Alliance includes over 800 modelers from ten countries modeling two-foot, three-foot, 42” and meter gauge in 1:148, 1:150, 1:152, and 1:160 scales. www.Nn3.org).

Ron will review the system maps for the Greyhound and Trailways bus lines, their connection to the railroads, the role that the railroads played in their devolvement, what railroads own what part of these two companies and the kind of equipment that they used in the 40s and 50s. Ron will also share some personal comments about his years of driving and conducting tours for The LA Gray Line and California Parlor Car Tours, a Greyhound subsidiary. The issue of the type of equipment is to show the modeler what they should have on the layout for that era and maybe get the manufacturers to do some more of them besides the PD4103 which was done in small numbers and only built for two years, 1951-52.

Hopefully, there should be something of interest to almost everyone in this clinic. The Sacramento Modular Railroaders and the Sacramento Central Railroad have been around for about 35 years. Learn how we've lasted that long, and are still at it. We've been an innovative group, doing switchlist operations on a modular railroad. We can put together layouts in many different sizes and shapes other than the classic oval. We build lightweight modules that can be set up quickly. Other topics include organization, club funding, layout lighting, public shows vs. operating sessions, and more.

In this clinic you will get an introduction to building with styrene and the world of scratch building. Each student will get an introduction to styrene and how to go about using the plans for a small structure, which will be provided. You will get all the styrene structural items you need to build a really interesting small structure. So if you have never used styrene or are not really sure of how to scratch build a small building, this clinic will give you all the know-how to get started and to actually build a small structure during this hands-on make-and-take clinic. Each student will build a small styrene bunkhouse during this fun and interesting clinic.
Required Tool list  
SOLD OUT! Cost: O-scale—$50, HO-scale—$40, N-scale—$30

In this clinic you will get an introduction to building DPM kits. Most people have tried to build a DPM kit, but now learn some interesting tips direct from someone in the know. There are some great tips and interesting ideas in this hands-on make-and-take clinic in which each student will build a DPM kit. Whether you have never built a DPM kit or have built a few, come out and enjoy this easygoing clinic.
Required Tool list  
Cost: HO-scale—$35, N-scale—$28

This clinic is for those who have never built a laser kit or those who have tried and just did not get the results they wanted. In this clinic Clark will show you the basics of building a small laser-cut structure. You will learn how laser kits are produced and some of the basics of how they go together, plus some tips on painting and weathering. Each student will receive a laser kit and personal instruction to assemble the kit. This hands-on make-and-take clinic is a great introduction into the world of laser kits.
Required Tool list  
SOLD OUT! Cost: O-scale—$46, HO-scale—$35, N-scale—$28

In this fast-paced clinic, you will build your own scratchbuilt turnout using a commercial fixture made by Fast Tracks. During the clinic each student will get personal instruction and the use of other special tools from Fast Tracks to build their own turnout. You will learn the ins and outs of scratch building turnouts, how they work, as well as how to solder and build turnouts using this commercial product.
Required Tool list  
SOLD OUT! Cost: $35 (all scales, guages)

Join Steve “Breezy” Gust for this presentation on the principals of track warrant control operations. He will discuss some of the rules and practices of the prototype TWC operations and how they might apply in the model railroad realm. This clinic is strongly recommended before participating in the Advanced TWC clinic.

This is a group participation clinic. Steve “Breezy” Gust presents several track warrant operation challenges. Attendees will be asked to play the part of the train dispatcher and the train crew as “trains” move across a fictional model railroad. Prior TWC experience or attendance in the Basic TWC clinic is advised.

As the title suggests, this is about developing operations for a specific railroad. The Belt turned out to be a not- very-typical terminal railroad with some very interesting features. This is a discussion of the evolving operations plan driven by the physical limitations of the space, by the activities and limitations of the prototype, and by the activities and limitations of the historical record.

Take a short break after the LDSIG meeting and return to the SIG Clinic room for the Operations SIG meeting. We'll continue where design left off and move into how to operate the layouts we discussed earlier as many other topics of Operations interest. All convention attendees are welcome!

Commuter railroading offers a great opportunity to add passenger service to a model railroad, adding to the operating potential of a layout as well as the modeling possibilities. This clinic uses examples from various prototype roads to explore the operating potential of commuter railroading.

This clinic proposes the use of a waybill which avoids the shortcomings of the prevalent "four-cycle" waybill. Development of this waybill is also presented, and explanation given of prototype car movement patterns. The waybill is then combined with an improved “car card.” Implementation of this system on Tony’s layout is shown through model photos. There is a handout for this talk, which summarizes principal points.

John is one of the Coast Division's prolific photographers of local model railroad layouts and models. Examples of his work can be seen on the Coast Division Model Contest web site and at his own personal model railroad web site. In this clinic, John will discuss his easy to follow methods for making digital model railroad photos, using today's very affordable digital cameras. Specific recommendations for equipment will be included, as well as ideas and recommendations for simple composition, lighting, backdrop, and exposure.

Post-processing of the digital image is then covered (this is just as important as the original image itself) by using free simple, but powerful photo editing software (He uses IrfanView.) that can be downloaded from the Internet. The focus of this clinic is on easy to follow methods for digital model railroad photography. Assumes limited photography experience, however, insights, tips and hints for experienced photographers are included, as we all learn by sharing our experiences.

This clinic is aimed for the "everyone" in all of us - we're not going to go into the professional level details. So, if you just want to make better model railroad photos - come on out and hear what John has to say about "Everyone can do digital model railroad photos!!!"

Download this presentation

Look over John's shoulder as we go on a "you-are-there" fast-paced photo, movie, and multi-media tour of worldwide Americas European, and Asian model and prototype railroad sites and people the world over. Enjoy the incredible diversity and interest. Gather ideas for future travels. Or just save the expense and watch here!

European sites include: Miniature Wonderland, Hamburg 2007 - Narrow Gauge Live Steam, Saxony, Germany 2008 - The Deutsch Museum, Munich 2007 - Nuremburg Deutschbahn Museum - French TGV, Germany ICE - Gotthard Pass, Switzerland - Atlas Model RR HQ in NJ - Hawaii RR Museum, Oahu - Argentina has model railroading too! - Prototype industrial trackage you have to see to believe.

Notable Hobby shops in countries around the world: - Visit to Japan Kato Showroom 2008 - Caboose Hobbies, Denver Model RR Exhibitions and Conventions include: - Nottingham UK Model Railway Exhibition 2006 - US-themed Model RR Convention in Germany 2007 - Two largest N-Trak Layouts ever (2008 Louisville, 2004 Chantilly) - Amherst Model RR Show 2005 - Anaheim NMRA National Convention 2008.

Famous Model RR clubs: - Glendale, Pasadena, Slim Gauge Guild, Belmont Shores - San Diego Model RR Museum - The Model RR Club, New Jersey - Washington State Museum's Puget Sound Model RR Engineers

World-class layout tours include: - John Armstrong - Jim Blattau - Paul Dolkos - Dick Patton

Download this presentation

A look at the Virginia & Truckee ore traffic, mines to mills, with attention to the equipment used. Track layouts at Virginia City and the Carson River Canyon. Kitbashing ideas for some V&T locomotives in HO scale.

This clinic will provide an overview of some of the specific methods used to model many of the “signature” structures on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The clinic will include information on how to get the necessary information to model accurate structures and will show some of the lesser known techniques that can be used to make the job easier.

This clinic describes designing, constructing, and operating a layout based on a prototype railroad as it existed and functioned during a specific time period. Using the presenter's layout as an example, we will discuss how to selectively compress and make difficult compromises in a variety of areas. These include physical features, such as structures and scenery, motive power, rolling stock, and operations. The planning for all of these starts with the prototype, but may require adjustments and changes due to space constraints, practicality, and the preferences and personal quirks of the builder/owner.

A look at the V&T in the 1870s will reveal an ideal prototype for an old western short line with its mining, milling, lumber and fluming operations, as well as its passenger service. A short history will be discussed along with V&T rolling stock, facilities, operations and key personnel. Various layout options will be covered, such as Virginia City to Carson City (21 miles), Reno to Steamboat (12 miles), or Reno to Virginia City (51 miles). In addition, a list of V&T models will be available.

This clinic describes model choices or modeling work needed (especially detail modifications or paint scheme upgrades) to model major SP car classes in HO scale. The key information is summarized in a handout with core "take away" points. The clinic is oriented to the steam-diesel transition era, though a few models from later years are also shown.

We’ll talk about and demonstrate a number of ideas for loads for open top cars, such as gondolas, hoppers, flatcars, and even open door boxcars. We’ll cover both commercial and scratchbuilt loads and talk about using “found” items. All the loads can be made removable to the same cars can be run empty or loaded.

Using model mock-ups in a couple of scales, the essentials, pitfalls and possibilities will be examined that will lead any modeler to a workable and authentic depiction of this industry, which can add more integrity to operations.

We'll be tracing the changes applied to SD45s from the first order to the last as it pertains to modeling accuracy. This clinic is for the modeler who wants to super detail their models true to prototype practices as well as for contest entries. If I were not the one giving the clinic, I would definitely want to attend!!!!! I am joking, of course.

A look at the Virginia & Truckee's Crown Point Trestle that crossed the Crown Point Ravine in Gold Hill, finished in November 1869, and stayed up until 1936.

This clinic is an overview of the work undertaken by the Sparks Heritage Museum to preserve and relocate a bridge built by the Central Pacific Railroad in 1868 to a site on the museum grounds and the ongoing efforts of the museum to maintain it in its original condition.

This clinic will provide you with more than you could possibly want to know about the State Belt Railroad of California that ran along the waterfront of San Francisco. This little gem of a terminal and industrial switching railroad ran from 1892 to 1992, from where the AT&T Park is now out to the Presidio. This presentation covers most aspects of its life and death, strikes, expositions, world wars, boom and bust.

This slide show covers the entire system starting in 1956 to the end of WP and into UP until 1997.

This slide show covers the people of the WP and some places from 1956 to 2009.

Paul’s clinic outlines the chronology of the narrow gauge NCO Railroad through historical photographs. The NCO operated for almost 50 years, originated in Reno in the late 1870s, and was extended to Lakeview, Oregon by 1912.

Color slides of the D&RGW and RGS in the days of steam.

Color slides of the SP Narrow Gage in the 1950s and color slides taken in 2008 from Keeler to Laws.

Color slides of the SP steam in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 1950s and slides of the two lumber companies’ operations in the 1950s.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built principally to haul ore from the mines of the Comstock Lode to the reduction mills along the Carson River. Consequently, ore cars were a major component of the line's rolling stock. The principal type of ore car was a four-wheel iron, bottom-dump car, which eventually totaled 123. The cars were built at different times by different manufacturers and often renumbered. This clinic will review the speaker’s attempts to unravel the history of these cars as part of his effort to produce drawings of the cars for modeling purposes.

An in-depth look at the first engine terminals of the V&T at the Virginia City Yards and West Carson Yards (before the large stone engine house was built). The mystery of the Virginia City Car Shops will be discussed, as will the reason the V&T’s first track laying went towards California instead of Virginia City.

What really happened that fateful day? Walt knows because he was selected to participate in the investigation of the massive explosion that day in the SP Roseville yard. He will provide a detailed outline of the incident and the effects it had on the surrounding area, the SP and the movement of munitions by rail.

There are some people that would like to see division activities in Northern Nevada on a regular basis. We invite all interested people to come to this meeting. We want to see how much interest there is. There are many new and existing NMRA members in Northern Nevada and Eastern California. The Sierra Division Officers and the PCR President will be there. Hopefully we can get something going in this area.

Railroad signals are an integral part of the physical plant of every railroad. There have been many types used over the history of railroading. Seth will review the types and purposes of the various signals, the different types used by various railroads, and their functions. He will also talk about planning and installing signals on a layout, which can be quite an undertaking! This clinic will outline the issues and provide a method for identifying major issues and some tools for adjusting scenery, for wiring and estimating costs.

There are literally hundreds of styrene and laser-cut structure kits available to modelers these days. While many of these kits represent prototype buildings, a majority are either generic or completely freelanced. While these buildings are entirely suitable for many layouts, most layouts need at least a few “signature” buildings that reflect the locale and era being modeled, as well as the prototypical inspiration for the model railroad. This can result in the need to scratch build.

In this clinic, Jack will discuss sources of information for modeling prototype structures and how to work with photos and develop scale plans from this information. He will then provide tips for scratch building prototype structures both quickly and accurately.

This clinic shows the basics of the airbrush, taping and masking techniques, and how to use Scalecoat paints for the best possible results.

The target audience is for the beginning modeler or for someone looking for unique or unusual tools for use in the building of models. This Power Point presentation emphasizes the tool itself, or where the tool was found or acquired. It touches on the obvious and not so obvious location for finding tools and supplies. It is intended to be a fast-paced presentation, with bits of humor and modeling photos thrown in to keep things interesting. Check out the video at YouTube.

A look at the Virginia & Truckee's Crown Point Trestle that crossed the Crown Point Ravine in Gold Hill, finished in November 1869, and stayed up until 1936.

An in-depth look at the first engine terminals of the V&T at the Virginia City Yards and West Carson Yards (before the large stone engine house was built). The mystery of the Virginia City Car Shops will be discussed, as will the reason the V&T’s first track laying went towards California instead of Virginia City.

The Virginia & Truckee Railroad was built principally to haul ore from the mines of the Comstock Lode to the reduction mills along the Carson River. Consequently, ore cars were a major component of the line's rolling stock. The principal type of ore car was a four-wheel iron, bottom-dump car, which eventually totaled 123. The cars were built at different times by different manufacturers and often renumbered. This clinic will review the speaker’s attempts to unravel the history of these cars as part of his effort to produce drawings of the cars for modeling purposes.

A look at the V&T in the 1870s will reveal an ideal prototype for an old western short line with its mining, milling, lumber and fluming operations, as well as its passenger service. A short history will be discussed along with V&T rolling stock, facilities, operations and key personnel. Various layout options will be covered, such as Virginia City to Carson City (21 miles), Reno to Steamboat (12 miles), or Reno to Virginia City (51 miles). In addition, a list of V&T models will be available.

A look at the Virginia & Truckee ore traffic, mines to mills, with attention to the equipment used. Track layouts at Virginia City and the Carson River Canyon. Kitbashing ideas for some V&T locomotives in HO scale.

This clinic will provide an overview of some of the specific methods used to model many of the “signature” structures on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. The clinic will include information on how to get the necessary information to model accurate structures and will show some of the lesser known techniques that can be used to make the job easier.