IRON HORSE 2026 CLINICS

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Modeling a Pulpwood Yard/ Clinician: Jeff Hanke (MMR):

This PowerPoint based clinic will review the history of the industry, how it interacted with railroads and how to model a pulpwood yard, vehicles and loads. Actual examples will be passed around.

 

Modeling Vehicles/ Clinician: Jeff Hanke (MMR):

This PowerPoint based clinic will cover all aspects of modeling vehicles from available models, adding realism and creating an appropriate fleet. Creating custom decals will also be covered. The clinic will also cover the appropriate age, make-up and uses of vehicles to create the right feel on your layout.

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Car Forwarding with the Micro Mark Car Card System/ Clinician: Jeff Hanke (MMR)

This PowerPoint based clinic that will cover the complete set up of the car card and waybill system used to prototypically move freight cars over your model railroad. This will include filling out car cards, waybills and car request orders. The clinic will also cover modifications needed to make the system more complete. Finally, a brief overview of the Car Service Rules will be given to show the appropriate way to determine which empty car to choose for a given movement.

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Pictorial History of the Building of the WVN / Clinician: Gail Allen Komar MMR 349

The West Virginia Northern was originally built in St. Petersburg by Ross & Gail Allen, and was the cover article of the June 2005 Model Railroader titled “A Handcrafted Gem”. After re-marrying, Gail moved the WVN to Tampa in 2007. This clinic is about how the WVN evolved into what it is today. The building of an addition for the WVN. Changes to the track plan, new overhead lighting & valances, photo backdrops, building coal mining facility, and other structures using historical data. Monthly operating sessions with call board, train orders, timetable, & signals.

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Tuscarora Operations/ Clinician: Robert Raymond

Operator Robert Raymond (designer of the Tuscarora Branch Line) gives ideas and tips on how to build your dream layout in a small and manageable area. The Tuscarora shows how much the N-scale railroad operations you can pack into a 2x4 foot space. Set in Pennsylvania in 1962, we can accommodate five operators (scheduled freight and local engineer, coal operations, an interlocking lever operator, a station agent and a dispatcher). Come and run! Robert’s Layout will be set up in the Ballroom for attendees to operate on, so make sure you give it a try, it’s a lot of fun.

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Timetable & Train Order / Clinician: Robert Raymond

"Ever wonder how crews and dispatchers operated in the hundred years before radios became available? Robert Raymond explains the intricacies of Timetable & Train Order, including a method to bring it to your own club or home layout."

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“Modeling Considerations for the 2000’s Modeler”/ Clinician: Gilbert Thomas Jr

The 2000’s have arrived in the usual way. The transition era is long gone, and the railroads have gone from 140 class one railroads to just 7 class one railroads. Oh, make that 6 class one railroads. I believe this is the perfect time to be a model railroader! This clinic will review the ever-evolving landscape of US railroads, latest trends in railroad cars and locomotives the railroads are utilizing and upgrades in railroad operations and technology.

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The Bicentennial and Semiquincentennial Locomotive/ Clinician: Gilbert Thomas Jr.

This clinic is a review of the various paint schemes presented by the railroads celebrating our nation's 200th and 250th birthday. Gilbert will have models to display.

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Description (Audience-Friendly, Building-Focused) / Clinician: Scott Peal

This session shows model railroaders how to use SketchUp to create their own buildings, freight cars, passenger cars, and other larger layout items for 3D printing. No technical background is needed. We’ll walk through two simple ways to get started: drawing your own model from photos or plans, and converting an existing model you find online. You’ll learn how to bring pictures into SketchUp, trace the shapes, break the model into printable sections, and plan how to paint and assemble the finished parts. By the end, you’ll understand the full path from idea to printed model—whether you print at home or use a service.

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“3D Printing for Model Railroaders: A Gentle Introduction for Beginners” / Clinician: Scott Peal

This clinic is designed for model railroaders who have little or no experience with 3D printing and want to learn how it can enhance their hobby. We’ll walk through the basics in plain, non-technical language—what a 3D printer is, how it works, and how you can use it to create simple, useful parts for your layout. You’ll see real examples, learn what equipment is truly needed (and what isn’t), and discover how easy it can be to get started. By the end of the clinic, attendees will understand the full process from idea to finished model and will feel confident exploring 3D printing on their own.

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How to Model Florida Scenery/Trees / Clinician: Bob Miller

Bob will show you how to model Florida trees, Cypress, Pine, and Palms. He will also be giving out a spiral handout on Florida Scenery.

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Weed Control on the Railroads / Clinician: David Leider MMR

Ever since the first rail was laid on the ground, weed control has been a problem for the railroads. Weeds foul the ballast, they obscure vision of the ties and they mat down, making the rails slippery. Weed control can be broken down into three categories: 1-Grubbing 2-Burning and 3-Chemical Control. I will discuss the pros and cons of each.

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Modeling the Pickle Industry / Clinician: David Leider MMR

Want a unique industry for your layout? Consider modeling the pickle industry. They are small, fit easily on a siding and you can use those pickle cars you got as a youngster. I will show the steps in making pickles and how they were transported with photos of salting stations and pickle cars. Did you know that there is a large pickle manufacturer in Palmetto Florida and Manatee County was the largest producer of pickles in Florida?

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Descriptions Pending on the Following Clinics Below:

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How I Create Removeable Flat Car Loads / Clinician: Richard Paul

T-TRAK / Clinician: Todd Slaughter

Bridges / Clinician: Bob Leonard

Benchwork Construction / Clinician: Mark Ellis

Weathering with Mixed Media / Clinician: Tim Ellis

Operations / Clinician: Mark Iannone

Weathering Structures / Clinician: Jeff DeVito

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