	First Name	Last Name	Clinic Title	Clinic Description	Categories
1	Patrick	Rogan	Making California Oak Trees	This clinic will give a very brief background on the California Oak Trees and why adding some to your layout will be a highlight. Pat will demonstrate how to make a California Oak Tree for your layout.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
2	Dan	Moran	Introduction to JMRI	This presentation is meant for model railroaders who have heard of the Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) but don’t understand what it is. We won’t cover any of JMRI’s features in depth, but we’ll touch upon all of its most popular features: DecoderPro, PanelPro, and OperationsPro.	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
3	ROMAN	PASTUCHA	Cinematic Modeling; Creating Dramatic Scenes using Film Production Design Principles	Transform your shelf layouts, dioramas and modular layouts into captivating, cinematic scenes using principles of cinematic production design. As the trend of shelf and modular railroading trends like T-TRAK grow, a unique opportunity arises to elevate your model railroad scenes to a new level. This Clinic explores the concept of designing foreground scenes and backdrops as cinematic art, allowing modelers to create immersive environments where trains become the "actors" on a well-crafted stage. Drawing inspiration from the world of theater and natural science museums—where taxidermy mounts are presented in realistic, enclosed settings—this Clinic will guide you through the process of designing backdrops that enhance the drama and realism of your layout. The Clinic is divided into three key sections: 1. Design Elements and Principles: creating backdrops that enhance your scenes, including composition, perspective, and color theory. 2. Materials and Techniques: Explore the various materials and methods available for crafting foreground and backdrops, from traditional painting to modern digital printing, and how to choose the right approach for your layout. 3. Final Installation and Photographic Composition: Whether you're a seasoned modeler or just starting out, this Clinic will provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to create foreground with backdrops that not only complement your layout but also transform it into a cinematic masterpiece.	Layout Design and Construction
4	Mike	Osborne	Railroad like the pros	Mike Osborne conductor Brakeman for 45 years will share his knowledge of train operations with model railroaders. This clinic will deal with switching, signals, CTC operations. The clinic will have a question and answer session. Mike is also an avid HO model railroader.	Prototype Railroads Operations
5	Neil	Erickson	A Proto-Steam Throttle	This clinic will explore how steam locomotive work and how "Four Amigos" got together to develop and wireless, handheld throttle that emulates the functions of an engineer and fireman backhead. This will go into detail of design, construction, programming, and operation of this open source project published in the MRH magazine.	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
6	Paul	Hobbs	90 Years of Development and Achievement in Model Railroading	Our hobby today is vastly different from that available to our organization’s founders in 1935. We will review a number of significant events, processes, inventions, companies and individuals contributing to the progress of our hobby.	Other Areas of Interest
7	J. Stephen	Sandifer	Live Stock Shipping: Traditional Live Stock	This clinic covers the shipping of cattle, sheep, work horses, hogs, and goats in traditional freight stock cars. It includes rules and regulations, bedding, stock pens, and ideas for use in model operations.	Layout Operations
8	J. Stephen	Sandifer	Live Stock Shipping: Non-Traditional Live Stock	When folks think of livestock, they think of cows, sheep and hogs. But other livestock need very special attention too: high dollar animals like race horses, live fish for eating, stocking lakes, and aquariums, and poultry. This clinic covers those animals.	Prototype Railroads Operations
9	J. Stephen	Sandifer	Lessons learned from Conductor's Record books	Conductors kept a log book of every train: contents, origination, destination, identification marks, billable weight, etc. Analyzing these books can open up a variety of insights into how cars moved, what was actually loaded in those cars and how seasonal product shipment affected train makeup. This clinic includes both freight and passenger information.	Prototype Railroads Operations
10	Jack	Hamilton	Whats in the toolbox	This is a presenttaion to visit to a variety of tools that are of value to the individual modeler seeking to increase modeling skill and the quality of their modeling. Also serves as a primer on tools for the early modeler.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
11	Philip	Sharp	The NMRA in New Zealand	The Australasian Region consists of Australia and New Zealand. All of New Zealand forms Division 5 of the region. I have been the division superintendent since July 2022 and I have found the role challenging. The three main reasons for this are (i) the division members are spread throughout the New Zealand, making it difficult to have in-person meetings, (ii) a significant portion of the benefits available to NMRA members are of limited value to Division 5 members, reducing the appeal of the NMRA, and (iii) there are noticeable differences between the modelling interests of the Australia and New Zealand members of the Australasian Region. I will describe what actions I have taken to meet the challenge of being superintendent. I will also give an assessment of how successful. Although New Zealand's is an atypical division, I believe some of my actions are applicable to other small divisions.	Other Areas of Interest
12	Nick	Santo	What is a Decoder Buddy	This clinic will describe the Decoder Buddy family, their differences and uses. The clinic will also show participants how a Decoder Buddy can make a DCC decoder installation easier, neater and safer for your relatively expensive decoder.	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
13	Bob	Walz	Modeling Military Traffic on the DC&SF 1940-1995	This clinic shows how I have combined railroad and military modeling on my Dodge City and Santa Fe Railway, a proto-freelanced HO scale railroad set between Dodge City, Kansas, and La Junta, Colorado. Military equipment carried by model railroads provides varied and visually appealing trains. The clinic describes some of the more important freight cars used for moving military traffic. Beginning with World War II the railroads, rather than the military services, provided most of the cars carrying this miliary traffic, and there are many examples of HO scale models illustrating this. The mix of cars gradually changed with the individual services, and then the Department of Defense, providing a greater percentage of the rolling stock. By the mid 1960s, Trailer Train began providing a gradually increasing percentage of the railroad-provided rolling stock. The clinic describes armor, artillery, and engineer equipment loads represented in six eras: World War II, the Korean War, Early Cold War, Vietnam War, Late Cold War and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Modeled military equipment includes: six types of tanks, four types of artillery, three types of jeeps, and two types of 2½-ton trucks.	Prototype Railroads History
14	Thomas	Stephens	Steam to Diesel transition	Shows the reasons the Missouri Pacific changes from steam to Diesel during the 1939 to 1055. Shows the comparison between costs and manpower for steam vs Diesel. Ends with extra 124 north, steam funeral train. This presentation will discusses the last gasp efforts to keep steam. While this shows MP data, most railroads had the same process and results.	Prototype Railroads History
15	Al	Turnbull	Basic Scenery Part One/Part Two	These clinics will cover basic techniques to build your scenery literally from the ground (floor) up. This is a 2 part clinic. I'll cover hard shell as well as portable type of construction. I'll explain plaster types and methods. I'll cover painting, staining and ground cover.The clinic will feature ideas and tips to make a scene come to life.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
16	Mark	Williams	RDCs and Zephyrettes, Oh My!	We will explore the Rail Diesel Car, Budd's answer to the American railroad's post-war economic problems with rural and less-traveled routes. Designed from the ground up to be both economical and flexible to operate and service, Budd hoped that their RDC would be widely adopted to help with mandated, but less than profitable, routes railroads were stuck with as post-war prosperity made automobile travel more and more widely available to the American public. Although Budd provided several iterations of RDCs to meet various railroad's needs, Western Pacific had perhaps the most unusual RDC service, their Zephyrette, from Oakland, CA to Salt Late City, UT. We'll examine the modifications Budd and WP made on their two RDCs to meet the unique demands of their Zephyrette service through deserts and mountains of the American West; and we'll finish by taking a ride on that route to close out the story of the RDC, a significant part of Budd's enduring railroad legacy. Although Budd provided several iterations of RDCs to meet various railroad's needs, Western Pacific had perhaps the most unusual RDC service, their Zephyrette, from Oakland, CA to Salt Late City, UT. We'll examine the modifications Budd and WP made on their two RDCs to meet the unique demands of their Zephyrette service through deserts and mountains of the American West; and we'll finish by taking a ride on that route to close out the story of the RDC, a significant part of Budd's enduring railroad legacy.	Prototype Railroads History
17	Fred	Headon	Grade Crossings I have known	This presentation offers ideas that will reinforce what we see, and details that show modellers where we can detail our grade crossings to better represent our prototypes. Coverage will deal with the materials of the approach road and grade crossing itself, ranging from a simple farm crossing to a major road. The supporting railway infrastructure including signage and technology is considerable along with numerous smaller details. There is a wide range of appropriate road signage and technology that surrounds grade crossings for vehicle protection that we should consider. Suggested prototype sources are interspersed with the presentation. A number of modelling efforts are included.	Prototype Railroads Operations
18	Tim	Foote	Rebuilding a Locomotive	This clinic will improve your skills in repairing engines and converting DC locomotives to DCC. It can be very satisfying to watch a restored engine run successfully. Common types of used engines for rebuild are Athearn blue box, Kato, Bachmann and LifeLike Proto 2000. This clinic is aimed at any model railroader that has been intimidated by the prospect of pulling the shell off your poorly running locomotive and diving in to attempt to repair, rebuild or convert the loco to DCC. Topics include: Diagnosis of a poorly running locomotive. Performing an Amp stall test of the motor to determine compatibility with the decoder, Distinguishing between electrical problems and gear problems. Using a multi-meter to diagnose your locomotive. Installing a DCC decoder. Decoder types. Fitting the decoder into the locomotive. Connecting LED lighting to the decoder. Dealing with DC light boards.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
19	Steve	Bradley	Unique Train Cars & Structures of the Southern Pacific RR Mina Subdivision	The SP purchased this existing subdivision from the V&T in 1900, as a potential new route into Southern California. However, within months of the purchase, gold and silver were discovered adjacent to the RR, making this line adjacent to the last major gold rush in the continental US. Most of the line was left as narrow gauge until the abandonment in 1960. This clinic is entirely original BW photos and color pictures from Mr. Bradley's award-winning layout, structures and train cars.	Prototype Railroads History
20	Bob	Frankrone	Love Those Loads	Most model railroaders love open loads. Bob’s clinic features a variety of open load models that can be built from commercially available kits or easily scratch built from basic materials. Beginners and master modelers alike will enjoy learning how to create interesting and realistic open car loads. With plenty of photos from both the prototype and HO scale models, Bob’s clinic is always a real crowd pleaser. Bob is the author of the “Love Those Loads” series featured bi-monthly in the NMRA Magazine. (45 minutes)	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
21	Bob	Frankrone	How to Add a Scene to a Layout in 15 Easy Steps.	Unless you are one of the few model railroaders who have a finished railroad, there is a good chance you have some areas on your layout void of any scene or scenery. This clinic will demonstrate how easy it can be to create a nice-looking scene, regardless of one’s skill level. Watch as Bob converts a three-square-foot plywood prairie on his layout into a complete scene in 15 easy steps. A few simple tools, one easy-to-build plastic kit, and some readily available scenery materials are all he used to create the scene. Whether you are a beginner or a Master Model Railroader, you will enjoy seeing a plywood prairie morph into a complete scene. (45 minutes)	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
22	Bob	Chaparro	Modeling the Southern California Citrus Industry	This presentation will explain the role of the railroads in developing the Southern California citrus industry and the industry's role in shaping railroad activities. Attendees will be shown how to model citrus industry elements and citrus-related railroad facilities. Suggestions will be presented for simulating citrus traffic operations on model railroads, doing research and exploring resources. The scope will be the steam and steam-diesel transition era.	Layout Operations
23	Bob	Chaparro	Right of Way & Trackside Details	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 trains and structures, convey to visitors your railroad is a miniature transportation system, reinforce prototype or freelance railroad practice, and are simple and sometimes subtle. Many photographic examples of prototype details will be presented.	Layout Design and Construction
24	bob	Chaparro	Open Carloads	A look at loads modelers can duplicate with an emphasis on general service flat cars and gondolas in the steam and transition eras. Prototype practices are explored through photos and diagrams. Examples of accurately modeled loads and common modeling errors also are covered.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
25	Jon	Schmidt	Large Layout Wiring	Layouts require electricity. No matter whether you are running with DC or DCC, signals or turnout controls, or simply lighting, you will have to run wires. This article documents some of my thoughts on do’s and don’ts for layout wiring. It reflects my experiences with the my Nicasio Northern and with the Central Vermont. Disclaimer: I am not an electrical engineer, so many of my comments may be arguable. Published in the PCR Branch Line Q1 2023 issue (page 25). Presented at the PCR Tech Line conference in April 2024.	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
26	Jon	Schmidt	Car Orders On The Central Vermont	This article describes how we use JMRI OperationsPro as the basis for generating prototypical waybills and empty car orders on the Central Vermont in NorCal. It is published in the Q3 2024 PCR Branch Line magazine starting on page 30.	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
27	Joel	Morse	Developing a prototype-based fleet for operations	This clinic will discuss the process I used to create a realistic, prototype-based fleet for operations on my N Scale NYOW operation-based layout. This clinic will help you focus on identifying the appropriate rolling stock for your railroad and avoid the costly mistake that many of us make: purchasing what we think is cool, rather than how it fits into our overall railroad concept. This clinic will cover what information is critical to the process, where I found it, where you might find it and how to use it, along with other details to create a realistic rolling stock fleet to serve your railroad. Whether you are interested in creating a prototype-based fleet or simply a fleet that makes sense for your freelance railroad. You can take this process to the level of detail that you want to. It’s your railroad.	Layout Operations
28	George	Bogatiuk	Cut the cords with Blunami	In this clinic, we will cover the benefits of using Blunami. Whether a seasoned DCC user or a newcomer, Blunami is a decoder that anyone can use to make running your trains easier and more fun! We'll show you how to use Blunami in both DCC and Bluetooth mode so you can see how this ingenious product can be implemented into your railroad today!	DCC, LCC, Wiring & Other Electronics
29	Mark	Williams	Scenery From The Ground Up	Never done scenery on your layout? Want to learn some easy tips and tricks to doing it? It's really not hard at all, and fun! This clinic is a hands-on demo of how to build some scenery elements and create a realistic and visually interesting scenes on your layout, small or large.	Modeling Techniques and Ideas
30	Pat	Fleming	Introduction to LCC – Uses and Applications	Layout Command Control (LCC) is a powerful and flexible system for managing all non-motive functions of a model railroad. Unlike traditional control methods that focus solely on train movement, LCC provides an advanced networked solution for signaling, lighting, turnout control, and automation. This session introduces the fundamental concepts of LCC, explores its practical applications, and discusses available products and resources. Whether you're new to LCC or looking to expand your layout's capabilities, this session will provide valuable insights into how LCC can enhance realism and operational efficiency.
31	John	Parsons	Signaling basics for North American railroads	What do those colorful signals alongside the railroad tracks mean? A step-by-step explanation of signaling for railfans and modelers.
32	John	Parsons	Model railroad signaling with Azatrax products	How to plan a block signaling system for a model railroad, and how to implement it using Azatrax signal control circuits. Azatrax offers a modular signal system using infrared (IR) train detectors, goes together like sectional track, and requires no programming and no computer.
33	John	Parsons	Model train detection why and how	Why would I want to detect a train on my layout? What are the different ways to detect a train? What characteristics of a train detection device are important to know before I buy one? This clinic will provide answers to these and other related questions giving examples of popular train detector products
34	Marita	Richards	Dining on the Rails	A brief history of railroad dining cars including dining car service instructions, tableware, menus, and life of the dining crew. Dining on the rails was an "experience like no other." Bibliography provided.
35	Marita	Richards	Travel in Pullman Safety and Comfort : A History of the Pullman Company of the Pullman Com	The "hotel on wheels" had a colorful and successful history from 1867-1968. With this company's innovations of sleeper, parlor cars, dining service cards, roomettes and more, The Pullman Company improved the life of passenger service.
36	Stephen	Priest	Rebuilding the 5704	Recently I led a team to save, move and restore ATSF 5704. The unit was retired and had been sold for scrap. We cosmetically rebuilt it to its 1974 appearance. This fascinating clinic shows you how the process unfolded.