CLINICS


CLINIC TITLES, PRESENTERS and DESCRIPTIONS

(Please check back. On-going updates will be posted as received from the clinicians)


Pittsburgh Railways Interurban Lines - George Gula

Between 1903 and 1953 the Pittsburgh Railways Company operated two long interurban lines from downtown Pittsburgh south into neighboring Washington County. This presentation shows the development of the one to Charleroi and takes you on a ride. The line features private rights-of-way, high bridges, side-of-the-road operations, and street running. At next year's region convention, or at the 2024 Jamboree, the line to the City of Washington will be featured.


Introduction to Static Grass – Michael Hauk

This scenery clinic about static grass is intended to de-mystify the technique for beginners who may be reluctant to give it a try on their own layouts. The presentation includes a brief history of the technique, an overview of commercial applicators, and some basic tips and hints on incorporating static grass into your scenery workflow.


Making Sectional Track Flexible – Kato’s UNITRACK System – Larry Willming

This clinic includes a live demonstration showing the ease of connecting and wiring KATO UNITRACK. While this is a sectional track system, its design makes it flexible enough to create any track plan and is available in both N and HO scales. The patented rail joiners (UNIJOINERS) allow sections to be snapped together as many times as needed. UNIJOINERS also make wiring simple and reliable without solder.


Trackside Pittsburgh - Mitchell Dakelman

This presentation will focus on the many railroads, that along with the rivers and highways, formed a transportation system developed to serve the steel industry and other heavy industries in Greater Pittsburgh. Those railroads include: PRR, B&O, P&LE, P&WV, W&LE, B&LE and URR. Additionally, the complex Pittsburgh Railways trolley system will be covered. Augmenting this power point presentation will be a short 16mm sound film by Fred McLeod depicting the B&LE.
Of note is that many photos from the collections of the late Dick Flock and the late John Roberts will be part of this presentation.


Custom Painting Diesel Locomotives: a first-timer's perspective - Anthony Kulfan

Anthony shares his experience and learnings from his Conrail GP38-2 painting project. While not extreme rivet counting, prototype and railroad-specific considerations for model selection and detailing are covered. A review of the painting and decaling process highlighting best practices and learnings rounds out the presentation.


Virtual Signaling with JMRI – Jerry Jordak

Installing a working signal system on a model railroad can be a challenge, but there is a way to gain the benefits of a signal system without (or at least before) installing lineside signals using something that you probably have hiding in the back of a drawer in your home. This clinic will give a high-level overview of signaling with JMRI and your DCC system, followed by some techniques to deploy virtual signal repeaters using old mobile phones and tablets around your layout.


Modelling Conrail's Cabins (and PRR, NYC, RDG, CNJ...) - Dennis Lippert

Sometimes, we forget how good we have it. We'll take a lighthearted look at the Conrail caboose fleet from 1976 to the end (1985?)... with an eye towards modeling each class in HO, and a bit of commentary about the progress of the model industry along the way.


PRR Corliss Yard Explosion 120 Years Ago – Dave Aitken

On May 12, 1902, explosions rocked the PRR's (PCC&Stl RR) Corliss Yard. A tank car of naphtha got away from a yard crew striking and rupturing another loaded tank car. The resulting explosion and fire drew crowds of spectators to the surrounding hills. Then another explosion sent blazing petroleum products skyward. Like fire and brimstone, the material fell from the sky, hitting many of the spectators causing death, injuries and life-long deformities.


The New York Central in West Virginia – Frank Bongiovanni

For many years the New York Central railroad was well known for the four track Water Level Route, its Hudsons, and famous passenger trains including the 20th Century Limited. This clinic is an overview of the less well known story of the NYC in West Virginia.


Improving Plastic Structures – Ryan Kunkle

Take your inexpensive kits from "Everybody's got one of those" to "Wow! Where did you get that?" Learn simple techniques for kitbashing, modifying, detailing and weathering basic plastic building kits to transform them into high quality models.


Modeling The PRR Under Wire In O Scale - John Sethian

My PRR Nassau Division is an O scale 2 rail layout inspired by the Pennsy electrified main line through New Jersey in 1956. The layout is built around five prototype scenes; the largest being the four tracks through Princeton Junction. My layout eschews operations in favor of being a rail fan by the side of the tracks watching various Pennsy passenger trains speeding through the towns, cities, and county side of Central New Jersey. In addition to photos of the layout, I will discuss my construction techniques, including the trials and tribulations in erecting PRR style catenary over a four track main line.


Building Craftsman Structures - Bill Sartore

The presentation will take you through the complete sequence of building a high-quality craftsman structure. It will start with the basic techniques and tips helpful in constructing a kit from the RailroadKits line. Painting and weathering will be covered as well as the use of metal castings to enhance the overall effect. The tasteful use of LED's will be covered to add the finishing touch.


LUNCH TIME PRESENTATION

NRHS Media Service's Director Mitchell Dakelman

TRAINS, TRACKS AND SAFETY FACTS was one of many 16mm films produced by railroad companies for school age students, to stress safety, trespassing, and vandalism on the railroads. This film, created in 1956, was produced for the Pennsylvania Railroad and was shown widely, often with railroad police officers accompanying the film presentation. Even though the message of safety is still relevant to current day railroad operations, the pure postwar rail equipment portrayed in this 62 year-old film, is simply breathtaking. You'll see the PRR's Middle Division near Cove, the electrified section near Paoli, and the single-track Bel-Del branch line at Washington's Crossing, NJ. The film will be presented in the original 16mm format.


JAMBOREE AFTER DINNER SPEAKER

Industry Insider Ryan Kunkle

After 15 years with the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania, Ryan joined Lionel in 2011 and is currently their Director of Production as well as personally managing both the O and HO product lines. Additionally, he is an active member and past president of the Conrail Historical Society as well as current president of the Concord Area Model Railroad Club. Ryan is an accomplished HO modeler.

Description of Ryan's Presentation:

The model train industry is as challenging, rewarding and dynamic today as it has ever been. Ryan Kunkle, Director of Project Management for Lionel will provide his perspective on the current challenges facing the model railroad industry. Overseeing the product and production timelines for one of the world’s largest and most iconic model train brands, Ryan will speak to balancing the new challenges of a post-pandemic global economy against the demanding needs of a passionate customer base. As a modeler and railroad historian himself, it’s a passion he shares and knows well.