Clinics
Taking It To The Streets PCR/FRRS Joint 2016 clinic program will feature presentations by talented modelers, authors, and experts in every field of model railroading. The clinics will vary in presentation style and some will include hands-on learning. We're lining up presenters from all over the PCR and FRRS and even a few from beyond. Whatever your interest, we'll have the clinic for you.
| Taking It To The Streets 2016 clinics will be presented Wednesday through Saturday from morning to evening. Wednesday clinics start at 1:00 PM. Photo by John Sing |
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Clinics & Presenters
Please note this list is TENTATIVE and subject to change without notice.
So far, we have these presenters lined up: (as of:)
PCR Track
Wednesday, April 20, 2016
- Mike O'Dorney - Pretty Good People (Wed. 1-2 pm) Ash Room
A low cost way of easily painting lots of HO scale figures for your layout - how to use inexpensive unpainted plastic figures and craft paints to make reasonably well painted figures for layouts, passenger cars, and crew. - Tony Thompson - Building a Realistic Bulk Oil Dealership(Wed. 1-2 pm) Magnolia Room
Bulk oil dealerships in the prototype vary widely, and there may seem to be no two alike, but in fact there are a number of features in common, which may be arranged in various ways. A number of prototype examples are presented in the clinic, along with a detailed look at constructing HO scale models incorporating the common features of prototype facilities. - Ed Hall - Basics of Airbrushing (Wed. 2:30-3:30 pm) Ash Room
Ed will discuss the use of the airbrush, taping tips, and paint used to make a professional paint job. - Dick Witzens - 40 Years on the Sacramento Central (Wed. 2:30-3:30 pm) Magnolia Room
This clinic likely has something for everyone. Presenting over forty years with the Sacramento Modular Railroaders and our club railroad, the HO scale Sacramento Central Railroad . We’ll briefly cover the club’s history, organization, financing (including how we hold dues to $30 per year), and more. We’ll talk about lightweight module construction, and how we can set up any size layout in about an hour or less. For us, layouts of 25 by 60 feet and larger are not unusual. Our layouts include a 36 foot yard, and a wide variety of configurations. We also operate by means of switch lists, with a combination of through trains and way freights, on a layout that’s different, with different rolling stock, for each operating session. All these points and more will be covered. - Jim Providenza - Realistic Operations (Wed. 4-5 pm) Ash Room
Is this the 21st or 22nd anniversary of this clinic? Jim can't recall at the moment... but regardless, in the last two decades operations has entered the mainstream of the hobby; operating weekends abound. The knowledge base and thought that goes into planning and hosting operating sessions has grown considerably since Jim first gave this clinic. Technology continues provide an ever richer operating environment. But the 'fundamentals of the game' remain the same. Join Jim as he looks back and looks forward at what makes realistic operations such a challenge and joy. - Gus Campagna - Restoration Magic: Giving Old Cars A New Look (Wed. 4-5 pm) Magnolia Room
Although many of the railroad cars of yesteryear have disappeared, there are some which occasionally surface in unlikely places. This is the story of four such "hidden treasures" which were discovered by chance and are being lovingly restored. See the entire process, from the initial discovery to when the "ugly ducklings" finally become swans. - Bob Chaparro - Right of Way and Trackside Details (Wed. 7-8 pm) Ash Room
Exploring the use of details as a means to make your layout a more complete, interesting and unique model railroad environment. Details exist without the presence of a train, yet are “railroady”. Details add realism, completeness and atmosphere beyond the train and structures, say to visitors this is not a Christmas display but a miniature transportation system, reinforce prototype or freelance railroad practice, and are simple and sometimes subtle. Many photographic examples of real world details will be presented. (Note: this clinic was significantly updated in March 2016 from the 2014 clinic presented in San Luis Obispo.) - Frank Markovich - Painting & Weathering with MIG, Vallejo Paints, and Pan Pastels ( Wed. 7-8 pm) Magnolia Room
We all know that Floquil is no longer being made – both the mineral-based and the acrylic paints. This clinic will go over using other paints and pan pastels to achieve effects beyond even what the Floquil paints could do. Not a hands-on, but different paints and techniques will be demonstrated. These other media are even more versatile than what most modelers are used to. - Gus Campagna - The California Western (Wed. 8:30-9:30 pm) Ash Room
A digital slide show exploring the California Western Railway and Navigation Company and how the presenter went about designing a layout based on what he found. - Ed Merrin - Researching/Modeling Petaluma's Water Street on the P&SR (Wed. 8:30-9:30 pm) Magnolia Room
The recreation of 1958 on the Northwestern Pacific continues with prototype research, selective compression, and lots of scratchbuilding in order to bring Petaluma's Water Street area to life. The result is a riverfront scene with old warehouses turned into businesses, street running, and switching for the P&SR.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
- Tom Knapp - An Overview of Nn3 (Thurs. 9-10 am) Ash Room
An overview of modeling narrow gauge in the "small scales" (1:148 - 1:160), as well as the history of Nn3. We will discuss commercially available motive power; rolling stock, track and controls; track-laying techniques; and modules. There will also be some examples of modules for viewing. - Bob Clark - Mail by Rail (Thurs. 9-10 am) Magnolia Room
Mail was sorted in Railway Post Office cars on passenger trains for over 100 years. Railroads also moved mail in a variety of other car types and services. This clinic illustrates and discusses these car types and services, their operation in passenger trains, and the evolution of hardware and sorting procedures. - Mark Williams - Pioneer Zephyr - The First Of The Silver Trains (Thurs. 9-10 am) Ballroom
Trace the history of the Zephyr, CB&Q's first (and America's first successful) streamlined passenger train, from it's inception during the depths of the Great Depression to its honored retirement many years later at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Many period photos, movie clips, and sounds will re-create the excitement that surrounded this first of many CB&Q's 'Silver Trains.' - Seth Neumann - Communications for Model Railroad Operations (AKA "phones for ops") (Thurs. 10:30-11:30 am) Ash Room
This clinic covers the development of prototype communications systems for train dispatching and how to model railroad communications for your prototype and era. Emphasis is on telephones as used from about 1920 - 1990, although other periods are covered. Seth draws on his experience from his career in the telecom industry to offer a general design for a simple telephone system to support model railroad operations that can be implemented by anyone who has the skills to wire a layout for DC or DCC! - Bob Clark - Milk Cars and Trains (Thurs. 10:30-11:30 am) Magnolia Room
The transportation of milk by rail will be described. The wide variety of milk car types and lettering schemes is shown for modelers. Suggestions on how to model milk services on your layout. - Mark Williams - California Zephyr -Silver Thread To The West (Thurs. 10:30-11:30 am) Ballroom
Trace the history of the California Zephyr, CB&Q's final great named passenger train, from it's birth in the post-war boom years, to it's demise exactly 20 years later at the end of the classic passenger train era. We'll delve into the background of co-operation between the CB&Q, the DRGW, and the WP, the design of the cars, the financing, and the publicity surrounding "The Most Talked About Train In The Country." - Jim Providenza - Vintage Dated F Units (Thurs. 1-2 pm) Ash Room
Freight car guru (and wine aficionado) Richard Hendrickson coined the term 'vintage dated' for weathering rolling stock to match the era you are modeling. Join Jim as he looks at the art and science of 'vintage dating' Western Pacific EMD F Units for specific eras on the railroad. We will cover the history of the prototype locomotives on the WP and modifying, detailing, painting and weathering models to match. - Ed Merrin - Researching/Modeling Petaluma's Water Street on the P&SR (Thurs. 1-2 pm) Magnolia Room
The recreation of 1958 on the Northwestern Pacific continues with prototype research, selective compression, and lots of scratchbuilding in order to bring Petaluma's Water Street area to life. The result is a riverfront scene with old warehouses turned into businesses, street running, and switching for the P&SR. - Dave Bayless - Working Gemco (We Don't Need No Stinkin' Yardmaster) (Thurs. 2:30-3:30 pm) Ash Room
Join Dave "Silver Streak" Bayless as he recounts some of his adventures as an engineer operating trains to the Gemco (General Motors Company) Yard in Southern California. This clinic will give you a whole new appreciation for both railroads and automobile manufacturers!. - Robert Pethoud - Building/Operating A Portable Switching Layout (Thurs. 2:30-3:30 pm) Magnolia Room
The clinic describes how I designed, built, and operate Fall Creek Branch, which was featured in the March 2016 issue of Model Railroader. - Ed Hall - Basics of Airbrushing (Thurs. 4-5 pm) Ash Room
Ed will discuss the use of the airbrush, taping tips, and paint used to make a professional paint job. - Gus Campagna - The California Western (Thurs. 4-5 pm) Magnolia Room
A digital slide show exploring the California Western Railway and Navigation Company and how the presenter went about designing a layout based on what he found. - Dick Witzens - 40 Years on the Sacramento Central (Thurs. 7-8 pm) Ash Room
This clinic likely has something for everyone. Presenting over forty years with the Sacramento Modular Railroaders and our club railroad, the HO scale Sacramento Central Railroad . We’ll briefly cover the club’s history, organization, financing (including how we hold dues to $30 per year), and more. We’ll talk about lightweight module construction, and how we can set up any size layout in about an hour or less. For us, layouts of 25 by 60 feet and larger are not unusual. Our layouts include a 36 foot yard, and a wide variety of configurations. We also operate by means of switch lists, with a combination of through trains and way freights, on a layout that’s different, with different rolling stock, for each operating session. All these points and more will be covered. - Tony Thompson - Building a Realistic Bulk Oil Dealership (Thurs. 8:30-9:30 pm) Ash Room
Bulk oil dealerships in the prototype vary widely, and there may seem to be no two alike, but in fact there are a number of features in common, which may be arranged in various ways. A number of prototype examples are presented in the clinic, along with a detailed look at constructing HO scale models incorporating the common features of prototype facilities. - OPSIG and LD SIG Forum (Thurs. 7-9:30 pm) Magnolia Room
Friday, April 22, 2016
- Ed Merrin - Layout Photography: History/Techniques/Problems to Overcome (Fri. 9-10 am) Ash Room
The author shares concepts, techniques, and common problems inherent in photographing model railroad layouts. He will discuss different styles and concepts as they have evolved over time, technical issues such as lighting, depth of field, and composition, and choices of equipment. Sharing of ideas and experiences will be encouraged. - Chip Meriam - Simulating Stucco Siding - circa 1929
(Fri. 9-10 am) Magnolia Room
Construction of a small stucco structure. Based on a municipal water pump house built in 1929. Unusual construction materials including Squadron Putty, Rustoleum Textured Spray Paint, and Starbuck’s coffee cup grippers. - Bob Chaparro - Right of Way and Trackside Details (Fri. 10:30-11:30 am) Ash Room
Exploring the use of details as a means to make your layout a more complete, interesting and unique model railroad environment. Details exist without the presence of a train, yet are “railroady”. Details add realism, completeness and atmosphere beyond the train and structures, say to visitors this is not a Christmas display but a miniature transportation system, reinforce prototype or freelance railroad practice, and are simple and sometimes subtle. Many photographic examples of real world details will be presented. (Note: this clinic was significantly updated in March 2016 from the 2014 clinic presented in San Luis Obispo.) - Gus Campagna - Restoration Magic: Giving Old Cars A New Look (Fri. 10:30-11:30 am) Magnolia Room
Although many of the railroad cars of yesteryear have disappeared, there are some which occasionally surface in unlikely places. This is the story of four such "hidden treasures" which were discovered by chance and are being lovingly restored. See the entire process, from the initial discovery to when the "ugly ducklings" finally become swans. - Jack Burgess - SketchUp and 3D Printing (Fri. 1-2 pm) Ash Room
This clinic will explain how to use the free 3D drawing program SketchUp to make drawings and then get parts reproduced using 3D printing technology. The clinic will show parts which have been “printed” and samples will also be passed around. Video computer screen grabs will show how parts can be drawn in 3D using SketchUp. There will also be information on how to upload a SketchUp file to Shapeways to be printed. A 5-page handout is available at www.yosemitevalleyrr.com/clinics. - Mark Williams - Pioneer Zephyr - The First Of The Silver Trains (Fri. 1-2 pm) Magnolia Room
Trace the history of the Zephyr, CB&Q's first (and America's first successful) streamlined passenger train, from it's inception during the depths of the Great Depression to its honored retirement many years later at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Many period photos, movie clips, and sounds will re-create the excitement that surrounded this first of many CB&Q's 'Silver Trains.' - Robert Pethoud - Building/Operating A Portable Switching Layout (Fri. 2:30-3:30 pm) Ash Room
The clinic describes how I designed, built, and operate Fall Creek Branch, which was featured in the March 2016 issue of Model Railroader. - Mark Williams - CB&Q's Trains of the Gods and Goddesses (Fri. 2:30-3:30 pm) Magnolia Room
Spurred by the wild success of their first (Pioneer) Zephyr and the original Twin Cities Zephyrs, CB&Q created two larger-capacity trains for the Q's Mississippi River Scenic Line route, with motive power and cars named after Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. We'll look at the history and design of these trains that have the honor of being the longest-serving passenger equipment in the Q's history. - Chip Meriam - Simulating Stucco Siding - circa 1929
(Fri. 4-5 pm) Ash Room
Construction of a small stucco structure. Based on a municipal water pump house built in 1929. Unusual construction materials including Squadron Putty, Rustoleum Textured Spray Paint, and Starbuck’s coffee cup grippers. - Mark Williams - California Zephyr: Silver Thread To The West (Fri. 4-5 pm) Magnolia Room
Trace the history of the California Zephyr, CB&Q's final great named passenger train, from it's birth in the post-war boom years, to it's demise exactly 20 years later at the end of the classic passenger train era. We'll delve into the background of co-operation between the CB&Q, the DRGW, and the WP, the design of the cars, the financing, and the publicity surrounding "The Most Talked About Train In The Country." - Stephen Miller - Tourist Railroads of Northern California (Fri. 7-8 pm) Ash Room
A brief survey of 17 railroad-related tourist destinations in Northern California, complete with maps and lists of contact information for each location. - Dave Bayless - Working Gemco (We Don't Need No Stinkin' Yardmaster) (Fri. 7-8 pm) Magnolia Room
Join Dave "Silver Streak" Bayless as he recounts some of his adventures as an engineer operating trains to the Gemco (General Motors Company) Yard in Southern California. This clinic will give you a whole new appreciation for both railroads and automobile manufacturers! - Warren Haack - Western Pacific's First 50 Years 1910-1960 (Fri. 8:30-9:30 pm) Ash Room
This new 70-minute feature documentary on the Western Pacific Railroad is Volume One of a two-volume DVD set, based on Don Olsen's 1992 release, with additional material and substantial reworking of the organization and narrative. - Tony Thompson - San Luis Obispo in the Transition Era (Fri. 8:30-9:30 pm) Magnolia Room
This clinic covers locomotives and train operations in the 1920-1955 era, mostly concentrated on 1945-55. There are also a number of photos of SP facilities there. Though some of this material is in the presenter's book with John Signor about the Coast Line, most photos in the clinic are NOT from the book and are unpublished.
Saturday, April 23, 2016
- Guy Cantwell - Scenery Techniques: Modeling the Central Valley & the Western Sierras (Sat. 9-10 am) Ash Room
Join Guy Cantwell for a presentation on scenery techniques to help you model the central valley and the Sierras. Topics include: grass techniques, trees (Oaks to Ponderosa pines), ground cover, bushes and rocks. Guy will walk you through the basics of the techniques and demonstrate how he applied them to build scenes on his Central valley/Sierra themed layout. Check out Guy's layout and modeling at: thewilloughbyline.com/. - Warren Haack - Western Pacific's First 50 Years 1910-1960 (Sat. 9-10 am) Magnolia Room
This new 70-minute feature documentary on the Western Pacific Railroad is Volume One of a two-volume DVD set, based on Don Olsen's 1992 release, with additional material and substantial reworking of the organization and narrative. - Guy Cantwell - Fast Forward: 12 Years of Layout Construction in an Hour (Sat. 10:30-1130 am) Ash Room
Join native Modestan Guy Cantwell for a photo presentation on the construction of his "Willoughby Line" layout. The layout features scenes inspired by Modesto and the Sierras. Guy’s clinic compresses twelve years of construction into a short presentation. Watch as the layout grows from ground zero into a multi deck monster...Guy will show how he has approached some of the classic double deck construction issues such as: crossing the door, lighting the lower deck, helix, supporting the upper deck, staging.. etc. Check out Guy's layout and modeling at: thewilloughbyline.com/. - Stephen Miller - Tourist Railroads of Northern California (Sat. 10:30-11:30 am) Magnolia Room
A brief survey of 17 railroad-related tourist destinations in Northern California, complete with maps and lists of contact information for each location. - Guy Cantwell - Fast Forward: 12 Years of Layout Construction in an Hour (Sat. 1-2 pm) Ash Room
Join native Modestan Guy Cantwell for a photo presentation on the construction of his "Willoughby Line" layout. The layout features scenes inspired by Modesto and the Sierras. Guy’s clinic compresses twelve years of construction into a short presentation. Watch as the layout grows from ground zero into a multi deck monster...Guy will show how he has approached some of the classic double deck construction issues such as: crossing the door, lighting the lower deck, helix, supporting the upper deck, staging.. etc. Check out Guy's layout and modeling at: thewilloughbyline.com/. - Jack Burgess - SketchUp and 3D Printing (Sat. 1-2 pm) Magnolia Room
This clinic will explain how to use the free 3D drawing program SketchUp to make drawings and then get parts reproduced using 3D printing technology. The clinic will show parts which have been “printed” and samples will also be passed around. Video computer screen grabs will show how parts can be drawn in 3D using SketchUp. There will also be information on how to upload a SketchUp file to Shapeways to be printed. A 5-page handout is available at www.yosemitevalleyrr.com/clinics. - Guy Cantwell - Scenery Techniques: Modeling the Central Valley & the Western Sierras (Sat. 2:30-3:30 pm) Ash Room
Join Guy Cantwell for a presentation on scenery techniques to help you model the central valley and the Sierras. Topics include: grass techniques, trees (Oaks to Ponderosa pines), ground cover, bushes and rocks. Guy will walk you through the basics of the techniques and demonstrate how he applied them to build scenes on his Central valley/Sierra themed layout. Check out Guy's layout and modeling at: thewilloughbyline.com/. - Frank Markovich - Painting & Weathering with MIG, Vallejo Paints, and Pan Pastels (Sat. 2:30-3:30 pm) Magnolia Room
We all know that Floquil is no longer being made – both the mineral-based and the acrylic paints. This clinic will go over using other paints and pan pastels to achieve effects beyond even what the Floquil paints could do. Not a hands-on, but different paints and techniques will be demonstrated. These other media are even more versatile than what most modelers are used to.
FRRS Track
All presentations will be in the Ballroom
Thursday, April 21, 2016
- Mark Williams - Pioneer Zephyr - The First Of The Silver Trains (Thurs. 9-10 am) Ballroom
Trace the history of the Zephyr, CB&Q's first (and America's first successful) streamlined passenger train, from it's inception during the depths of the Great Depression to its honored retirement many years later at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. Many period photos, movie clips, and sounds will re-create the excitement that surrounded this first of many CB&Q's 'Silver Trains.' - Mark Williams - California Zephyr -Silver Thread To The West (Thurs. 10:30-11:30 am) Ballroom
Trace the history of the California Zephyr, CB&Q's final great named passenger train, from it's birth in the post-war boom years, to it's demise exactly 20 years later at the end of the classic passenger train era. We'll delve into the background of co-operation between the CB&Q, the DRGW, and the WP, the design of the cars, the financing, and the publicity surrounding "The Most Talked About Train In The Country." - Selections from Virgil Staff Collection (Thurs. 1-2 pm)
A look at some of Western Pacific's heavyweight passenger cars - Eugene Vicknair - A Higher Calling-The Charles O. Sweetwood (Thurs. 8:30-9:30 pm)
History of the Western Pacific / Red Cross Blood Procurement car "Charles O. Sweetwood" (encore form 2013).
Friday, April 22, 2016
- David Epling - The Zephyrette RDCs - Modeling and History (Fri. 9-10 am)
Modeling and history of the Western Pacific's two Budd RDC-2s - Eugene Vicknair - Rocky Mountain Refugees (Fri. 10:30-11:30 am)
History of ex-Rio Grande steam locomotives on Western Pacific family railroads - Bill Gilbert - WP Shorty Steel Coil Gondolas (Fri. 1-2 pm)
Prototype history and HO scale modeling of Western Pacific's 29' steel coil gondolas - Kyle Wyatt - Second Generation WP Passenger Equipment (Fri. 2:30-3:30 pm)
An overview of the WP's second generation of passenger cars - Stan Jennings - Salt Lake, Garfield & Western, a Survivor (Fri. 4-5 pm)
The story of Utah's only surviving interurban from its inception in 1891 to the present day with emphasis from the 1950s to 2016 - Wayne Monger - Death of a Branch: the Terminous Branch (Fri. 7-8 pm)
The final years of the WP's Terminous Branch and the factors that led to its demise
Saturday, April 23, 2016
- Chris Allan - "The Little Engine That Did" (Sat. 9-10am)
History and modelling of Tidewater Southern's electric steeplecab 100. - Selections from Virgil Staff Collection (Sat. 10:30-11:30 am)
A look at the WP in California, late 1960s to the merger. - Ken Middlebrook - The San Jose branch (Sat. 1-2 pm)
A history of the Western Pacific's San Jose Branch. - Evan Werkema - WP Fan Trips (Sat. 3-4 pm)
A look at fan excursions in the Western Pacific's steam era.
Do you want to present a clinic or give an oral history of your railroad experience?
If you would, please e-mail us or send us a Clinic Presenter Information Sheet. Two formats are available below for you to chose from. We'd love to hear from you! (Note that the PDF is now a form that can be completed using your computer and Adobe reader.)
ClinicInfoSheet.doc (MS Word 97-2003)
ClinicInfoSheet_form.pdf
Thanks in advance! See you in Modesto.
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