We are developing a better system for entertainment and layout
building or model maintenance education directly following
the membership meeting. these clinics and programs sometimes given by more than
one person are tailored for the membership
to help them develop a more attractive home layout as well as covering the
basics of modeling. These experiences should lessen the cost impact of the hobby
by learning the best way to perform many things typically involved in what we
do. Below is a list of some of the items discussed at meetings that the VP and
his staff will be
developing a program and time slot for. If you would like to see other things on
this list contact Doug Stoll to update
this web page or are curious about what is required and be a joint presenter to share what you know, contact
Ray Puls for scheduling. Thanks in advance for your support.
See our Meetings page for
the current schedule of events.
AF service oiling, cleaning
AF service E-unit service
AF service tire replacement, wheel replacement for locos
and cars, coupler replacement
AF service locomotive wheel quartering,
Gauging wheel-sets, gauging track
Restoring original equipment and accessories to presentable
condition.
Servicing accessories and adjusting solenoids and vibration
amounts for function
Track wiring. Understanding wire gauges. Basics on how to
solder track, different size wiring and IC chips
AC to DC wiring, conversions of AF locos to DC using
rectifiers, what is required, track wiring changes or additions
Can motor installation
Conversions to LED lights in cars or locomotives, best
methods
Installing DCC decoders
What is DCC and what does it take to convert a layout
Installing TMCC decoders
What is TMCC and what does it take to convert a layout
Adding lights to buildings
Weathering on cars, locos and buildings. Permanent and
temporary
Coupler conversions from AF to Kaydee 800 series
Constant lighting techniques for cars
Converting the tracks and cars from high-rail to scale or
semi scale
Hand laying track with wooden ties, rail and nails
Building switches from scratch
Making scenery blend and flow for realism. Making scenes
look real by creating detail.
Deciduous trees. Small and large for scale. 50 foot oak or
pine would be about 9" high
Coniferous Trees. Small and large for scale.
Shrubs, bushes
Stumps for logging area
Rocks and rock walls. Painting and detailing rocks or
cliffs
Lakes
Ponds with weeds
Waterfalls
Ripples in water
Backdrops, painting clouds and distant scenes
Mountains and fields that don’t crack or shrink in
environmental changes
Working with pink foam or great stuff. Carving for realism
