I think we have a few good clinics lined up for the convention in Pontiac next
week. There has to be one or two subjects you'd like to know more about.
Here's the list as it stands today.
CLINICS
Thursday 3 August 2006
8.00 AM - "Scratch-building S Scale Turnouts" by Dick Karnes. Learn how to
build DCC-compatible open-frog scale turnouts to NASG standards without special
tools or jigs.
9.30 AM - "Narrow Gauge Modelling in S" (or "what's this Sn3 all about?") by
Roy Hoffman. Roy will give an over-view of 3-foot gauge railroads and how
they're modelled in S, with focus on the East Broad Top. The EBT is located
near Roy's home in Pennsylvania, and he has incorporated many of its features
into his home layout.
11.00 AM - "Welcome to this Convention" by Roy Hoffman. Especially for those
for whom this will be their first NASG convention. Roy says, The Newcomers
Clinic was conceived because some of the first-timers felt a bit left-out and
alone at times. The clinic gave folks a warm welcome to the convention and
pointed them to others with their own S interests. It might be interesting to
note that all of the attendees to the clinic both years I did it (2002 and
2003) were hi-railers. My being a hi-railer for many years helped me orient the
clinic to them. However, they were very interested in hearing about Sn3, as it
was new to them.
12.30 PM - "The Urban Scene as a Modelling Theme" by Mr Lynn Wells. Lynn says I
attempt to model the Pennsylvania Railroad in "O"Scale, and have always found
the industrial nature of the city to be fascinating. I have frequently
entertained the idea of modeling an early "transition era" Pennsylvania RR in
metro-Detroit, as it services Detroit's industrial base and as it interchanges
or interacts with other Detroit railroads: New York Central, C&O, Pere
Marquette, DT&I, Wabash, Grand Trunk, the Shore Line, Norfolk & Western,
Detroit Terminal ... and so on.
2.00 PM - "Structures from Paper" by Mr Lynn Wells. Lynn says
This clinic focuses on using inexpensive, everyday materials - such as paper
and cardboard - to help produce contest quality models. Cardboard and paper are
another alternative that modelers should consider for modeling projects. While
window castings, strip wood and cast architectural details may, of course,
still be used -- paper and cardboard offer a very inexpensive but highly
versatile medium for constructing very detailed and robust model buildings,
sidewalks and other scenic structures. As an example, Upson board, which can be
purchased in 4 foot by 8 foot sheets, at thicknesses of up to 1/4 inch, is an
outstanding material for large building wall sections.
3.30 PM - "Atmosphere Modeling" Ed Loizeaux shows how he recreates the
atmosphere, ambiance, and look & feel of the prototype rather than an exact
replica. (Ed's New York Central S scale railroad was in Kalmbach's 2005 Great
Model Railroads.)
5.00 PM - "A General Introduction to S Scale Modelling" by Ed Loizeaux. There
are always new modellers in S, and this is where they can get some of their
basic questions answered.
6.30 PM - "Passenger Train Operation - Extend Your Operating Possibilities" by
Roger Perry. Roger is a well known Detroit area HO modeller, and he will talk
about operating, not just running, local passenger trains pre-Amtrak.
8.00 PM - "New York Central's Boxcars" By Jeff English. Jeff will go into
detail on the distinct features that make NYC's boxcars different from those of
other roads. He will touch on modelling them in S, but that will not be the
primary focus of his talk.
9.30 PM - "S Scale Yahoo Group Get-Together" conducted by Bill Fraley. Not
exactly a clinic, but f you're a member of the Yahoo S Scale discussion group
on in internet, this is your chance to meet face to face with other members.
Dick Karnes, Lee Johnson and Wally Collins will talk about the good old days.
Friday 4 August 2006
8.00 AM - "Backdrops for Dummies" by Jim Martin. The clinic will illustrate how
to paint a simple, general purpose backdrop using cheap brushes and acrylic
craft paint.
9.30 AM - "Carferry Service on the Straits of Mackinaw" by Jamie Bothwell. :
This clinic will give a brief history of all ferry service in Michigan, and
will focus on the service across the Straits between the tips of Upper and
Lower Michigan. Service here had a long and colorful history. The boats that
provided the service occasionally provided other service, and the railroads
that fed the boats changed over the years. All in all, an interesting
operation. Modeling suggestions will be included.
11.00 AM - "Gilbert's 3/16" Scale American Flyer O Gauge, the Predecessor to
Postwar S Gauge" by BobBubeck. Bob will have examples of these O Gauge AF
trains and will show pictures from pre-war catalogues as well.
12.30 PM - "Digital Photography" by Bob Werre. Most of us are using digital
cameras now or plan to do so, so let's have a professional photographer show us
a few things we probably didn't know, as well as review the basics for those
contemplating this major purchase.
2.00 PM - "Ladies Clinic I" by Linda Sims. Learn to make your own beaded
jewelry with glass beads, polished stone beads, and a sterling silver clasp. We
will provide the materials.
3.30 PM - "Care and Cleaning and Repair of American Flyer Trains" by John Heck.
As well helpful hints in maintaining, cleaning, and repairing American Flyer
equipment, a 'live repair' may be performed. AF owners planning to attend who
have problematic AF locos or cars may contact John ahead of time ( 262 / 238 -
1885 )and describe the problem. If John says "that's a good one, bring it," he
will attempt to fix it as part of the clinic.
5.00 PM - "100 Years of American Flyer" by Andy Jugle. Andy will review the
history of the American Flyer name in all its incarnations over the past
century.
6.30 PM - "Hands-on Brass Soldering" by Andrew Mallette. Andy's plans to have
the participants make a semaphore had to be cancelled, but he will still do a
general soldering clinic. If you have a project that involves soldering, bring
it along, and the appropriate tools (soldering iron &c), and you'll come away
with some helpful tips on this essential aspect of model building.
8.00 PM - "Breaking down and making up trains the prototype way", by Terry
Harrison. Terry is an avid participant in model RR operating sessions. He will
present an overall look at how the real railroad breaks down inbound trains and
the proper way to sort cars in yard for their next destination. Also covered
will be the blocking of outbound trains and proper placement of hazmat cars in
trains. He will also explain the difference between "blocking" and "placement."
Saturday 5 August 2006
11.00 AM - "Quantitative Track Planning Analysis - A Tribute to John Armstrong"
by Vic Cherven. Mr Armstrong was one of Vic's modeling heroes. Vic says "I have
used my scientific background to develop a method for analyzing track plans
that I think is pretty neat. It is a way to help clarify the balance between
main line operation, yard switching, and industrial work.
12.30 PM - Ladies Clinic II by You'll sand and paint a wood keepsake box, and
then you may decorate it with your own creative touches. We will provide the
materials.
2.00 PM - "Modern Intermodal" by Tom Hawley. There are really only two S scale
cars available in the mass market today that could be called modern intermodal,
but Tom will illustrate a few more things that can be done with a little
imagination and initiative. It is hoped that participants will join Tom in
bringing and talking about anything illustrative of the subject.
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
