IRON HORSE 2026 CLINICS
**Clinic dates and times will be emailed to registered attendees about Oct 12**
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.
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.
Pictorial History of the Building of their West Virginia Northern Railroad / 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.
Tuscarora Operations with Working Yard Tower / 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). If you are interested in how a Yard Tower works, the Railroad Tuscarora layout has an actual working tower with real Armstrong Levers. 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.
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."
“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.
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.
SketchUP (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.
“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.
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.
T-TRAK 101- T-Trak / Clinician: Todd Slaughter
“T-TRAK modules are dioramas with sectional track, specifically Kato Unitrack, that snap together to create layouts from a simple circle to large complex layouts. The modules are designed to fit on tables. Layouts are easy to assemble and disassemble. The convenient size of the modules makes them easy to store on a shelf or in totes when not in use, or to transport.” He is the founder of the Special Needs Model Railroad Association (SNMRA) as well as the Tampa T-TRAK club.
Bridges – How do we Bridge the Gap? / Clinician: Bob Leonard
There are seven types of bridges, which ones can a railroad modeler use prototypically? The clinic covers the use of bridge supports, the types and applications, era and timeframe. It talks to the types of bridges and who manufacturers the different types.
Layout Planning and Benchwork Construction / Clinician: Mark Ellis
This clinic describes an approach that can aid in the time it takes to create the benchwork for a layout. It outlines the different programs available and how, with some patience, the builder can utilize the software to solve problems.
Weathering on a Small Scale / Clinician: Tim Ellis
Since last year Tim has ventured into other approaches to weathering, he uses the standard Paint, Pastels / Powders and Watercolor Pencils. But, in combination and the clinic describes the processes of all possibilities.
Like last year, all who attend will have the opportunity to employ these techniques at your leisure as you follow along. There will be boxcar “mules” that will be distributed for your use to practice what you have been taught. Although they will not be “N” scale size.
Creating Realistic Water/ Clinician: Tim Ellis
The clinic explains the use of using two-part epoxies, UV epoxies, UV adhesives, modeling paste and glue to create the base and texture (ripples / waves) of water scenes. From open water to rivers and streams, the clinic describes the methods to achieve and give your water a look of realism. It also covers coloring, from sky reflection on the ocean to muddy, brackish backwater.
Operations on Their Levels - How Deep Do You Want to Go / Clinician: Mark Iannone
The clinic covers the depth of operations an operator wants to go. From the simple scenario of moving cars from point A to point B to multi train movements of freight and passenger consists and everything in between. How do you control this, TTTO, car cards, JMRI created switch lists, how many Set outs and Pick ups, or termed Locations and Destinations, it all comes with the question. How deep is too deep?
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.
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?
Take Me to the River Again: Modeling mountain streams, rivers, and waterfalls / Clinician: Dean Smith
Fast-flowing, clear streams, rivers, and waterfalls are part and parcel of the mountainous terrain shared by many of our favorite railroads. With their visible riverbeds, white water areas, and “see-thru” waterfalls, these cascading waterways can prove a challenge to effectively model. By utilizing a series of easy-to-follow techniques using natural materials and commonly available craft and hobby supplies, this clinic should give even the novice modeler the confidence to dive right in and create effective rivers and waterfalls. As an added bonus in a reprise of this popular clinic, we will also be taking a look at constructing a sawmill pond and log splash dam.
Using DCC-EX / Clinician: M Steve Todd
We’ll describe the DCC-EX project and (hopefully) show why it’s worth looking into using concrete usage examples for any size DCC or DC layout. Focus will be on usage, but resources for purchasing or building will be provided. It’s easier (and more useful) than you think.
Creating a portable AIO DCC System / Clinician: Andy Zimmerman
When the world slowed down during COVID-19, model railroaders did not. In this engaging and thought-provoking clinic, Andy J. Zimmerman shares how isolation became a catalyst for creativity, innovation, and hands-on problem solving. Drawing directly from his personal experiences, this session explores how necessity truly became the mother of invention, fueled by creativity and grounded in technical knowledge.
Focusing on N-scale and T-TRAK modular railroading, Andy walks attendees through the evolution of an all-in-one DCC control system designed to eliminate complexity, reduce wiring clutter, and expand operational capability. From concept to execution, you will see how integrating technologies such as Raspberry Pi, JMRI, wireless throttles, and modular power management resulted in a compact, portable, and highly functional system.
This clinic is more than a technical walkthrough. It is a story of adaptation, ingenuity, and pushing beyond “the way we’ve always done it.” Whether you are a seasoned modeler or just getting started, you will leave with practical ideas, inspiration, and a renewed appreciation for what can be achieved when challenges are met with innovation.
What You’ll Learn:
· How constraints can drive innovation in model railroading
· Designing a compact, all-in-one DCC and accessory control system
· Integrating JMRI, wireless control, and multi-zone power management
· Practical lessons learned from real-world deployment at train shows
· Ideas you can apply to your own layout or modular setup
Bottom Line: When necessity meets creativity, innovation follows—and this clinic shows exactly how.
How I Create Removeable Flat Car Loads / Clinician: Richard Paul
I am a big fan of operations and like to have open type cars with ability to arrive/depart with a load but also use same car in arrive/depart as an empty visually.
My method for creating a method for adapting various commercial & scratch built loads to be removable on a flatcar yet held on so it will not slide off during operation.
Bringing it to life with Lights / Clinician: Jim Wiese
I will be discussing how to add lighting effects to your engines, passenger cars, and cabooses, using LED’s and the different components involved.
Secrets of Integrated Signal Systems or How I Pay for Garden Mulch / Clinician: Timothy Maslyn
Exposing the secrets on how Integrated Signal Systems makes custom made signals in a step-to-step PowerPoint presentation.
Signals. How hard can they be? / Clinician: Timothy Maslyn
A compendium on signals. A sample of Who, What, Where, and When it becomes necessary to install signals on your layout.
CLINICS - PENDING DESCRIPTIONS
Modeling Steel Mills / Clinician: Joe Grazulis
Decoders and Stay Alives / Clinician: Mark Juett MMR, NMRA Magazine Pulse of DCC Columnist
Layout Signaling / Clinician: Pending
Yard Design-Operations / Clinician: Pending