2026 NASG Convention

Start

Presenter

Topic

10:00am

Ron King

Improving Passenger Cars for Better Operation
In this clinic a NMRA Master Model Railroader will describe several modifications that can be made to S-Helper Service and American Models passenger cars to improve their performance, especially around tight curves. Specific topics include car weight, coupler mountings, coupler height, and relocation of bolster pins.
Duration: 60 min

10:00am

Irv Chmielewski

Temporary Scenery and Structures
Do you have unwanted bare places on your layout, places where you plan to install something like a new building or a passing track? In this clinic you'll learn about a process to make and install an inexpensive scenic element which can easily be moved to another location when it is no longer needed in its temporary spot.
Duration: 60 min

11:30am

Bruce DeYoung

Using Artificial Intelligence as a Modeling Tool
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is in the news virtually every day. This clinic looks at what prompted a 78-year-old to start using AI in our hobby and some of its many uses in model railroading. In particular, you'll learn how AI can be used to assist in designing scenes for your layout. If you are interested in seeing what AI can do for us other than just research, this clinic is for you.
Duration: 60 min

11:30am

Irv Chmielewski

1940s Railroads of Michigan's Upper Peninsula
As Irv built his freelanced Iron River Valley RR (IRVRR), he looked to the railroads of Michigan's Upper Peninsula for ideas related to scenery colors, track layout, operations, and other elements. This presentation looks at a relatively small geographic area in which both national railroads and local short line railroads operated in the late 1940s-era.
Duration: 60 min

1:00pm

Mike Byle

Geology for Realistic Model Railroading
Modeling rocks realistically can contribute significantly to the appearance of your layout. This clinic discusses the nature of rocks and rock outcroppings and the many characteristics of rock formations including fracturing, folding, and faulting. If you want to model more realistic rocks, this clinic is for you.
Duration: 60 min

1:00pm

William Mosteller

Working With a Professional Layout Designer
This clinic discusses the many steps involved when working with a professional layout designer and builder. These include chosing an era and location for the railroad, selecting motive power, making track plan tradeoffs, selecting a control system, and developing an operating scheme.
Duration: 60 min

2:30pm

Bruce DeYoung

Railroads and the Natural Ice Industry
The harvesting of natural ice to preserve food and cool drinks began in the early 1800s. By the middle 1800s, it became a large industry. For the next 50 to 60 years, the natural ice industry became huge customers of the railroads. At the same time, shipping refrigerated products by rail increased dramatically. In this clinic, Bruce will look at the commercial process of harvesting, storing, and shipping natural ice and the role that railroads played in the process.
Duration: 60 min

4:00pm

Jeff Jundt

Using Pastels for Painting and Weathering
Soft artist pastels are an effective and inexpensive way to color and weather models. This hands-on clinic provides an introduction to the techniques. Examples of structures painted and weathered with 100% pastels will be displayed. Materials will be provided to the first six individuals who bring a structure or rolling stock model to weather, but others may observe.
Duration: 60 min

4:00pm

Ben Trousdale

3D-Design Tools
In this clinic you will learn about the tools needed for your first 3D-design project. These include common CAD software drawing, editing, and viewing tools which are common to most software systems. The tools will be demonstrated to create a 3D model of a freight car.
Duration: 60 min

Start

Presenter

Topic

10:00am

Tim Fisher

Concept Phase of Layout Planning
This clinc will review what needs to be done to develop a layout concept before construction is started. These include identifying what you want most out of your model railroad and understanding the constraints that must be dealt with when track planning begins.
Duration: 60 min

10:00am

Jamie Bothwell

Michigan Car Ferries
Being surrounded by water on three sides made Michigan a headache for railroads. The shortcut solutions were car ferries across the lakes and rivers that separated Michigan from its neighbors. This clinic will take a brief look at services across the Detroit River, Lake Michigan, and the Straits of Mackinac.
Duration: 60 min

11:30am

Tim Fisher

Adding Automotive Industry Traffic to your Model Railroad
There are about a hundred auto-related factories, including 25 assembly plants, in North America. Roughly 10% of all US rail shipments support the auto industry. Some of this traffic could be on your railroad. In this clinic you'll learn how you can represent the shipping of engines, transmissions, frames, body panels, seats, and other functional components, as well as completed automobiles. Ports and barges are also involved.
Duration: 60 min

11:30am

Mike Byle

Building A Matchstick Shed
This is a make-and-take session. Is it possible to build a model for $1 today as the series in Model Railroader in the 1950s did? This project is a simple shed built from matchsticks or scrap wood and some card stock which utilizes a number of useful modeling techniques. All materials will be provided.
Duration: 60 min

1:00pm

Jim Whipple

The P&WV - An S Modeler's Paradise
The Pittsburgh & West Virginia Railway featured a wonderful mix of freight and passenger service running through industrial, rural, and mountainous terrain. This clinic describes some of the outstanding model-worthy scenic features as well as the hi-rail and scale models available in S to represent the diverse steam and diesel power operated on the P&WV.
Duration: 60 min

1:00pm

Ken Goaza

Electronics for Model Railroads
This clinic covers a wide range of electronics applications that modelers encounter. The topics include basic layout wiring, unique wiring situations with turnouts, and the use of sensors. We'll also demystify DCC systems, using a Digitrax example, and discuss key components such as throttles and decoders.
Duration: 60 min

2:30pm

Brett Neupert

3D-printing and CAD Systems
Computer-Aided Design (CAD) and affordable 3D-printing now make it possible to create highly-detailed, custom scale models that were once available only through expensive die-cast molds or plastic injection tooling. In this clinic, you'll learn the complete process of designing custom structures, vehicles, and scenic details using CAD software, along with the advantages and limitations of both filament (FDM) and resin (SLA/MSLA) 3D-printers. Examples of finished models will be available.
Duration: 60 min

2:30pm

Mark Charles

Moving Milk Products on Your Railroad
Milk, cream, and cheese were important sources of revenue for railroads prior to the 1950s. This clinic presents an overview of the traffic milk products generated and the equipment railroads used, especially in North America. Appropriate models available in S will be reviewed and some example S models will be on display.
Duration: 60 min

4:00pm

Larry Wolohon

The Railway Express Agency
Larry will be covering the history, the equipment, railroad, and the vehicles of the Railway Express Agency, along with some model examples.
Duration: 60 min

4:00pm

Jamie Bothwell

You Too Can Laser-cut Structures and Rolling Stock
You may have thought that laser-cutting is beyond your skill level or means, but the basic techniques are easy to master, and access is more widespread than you might think. This clinic hopes to guide you past your reservations about both of these issues. It will cover some basic drawing techniques and possible materials. It will also suggest some possible options for free or low cost laser access.
Duration: 60 min

Start

Presenter

Topic

9:00am

Bob Bubeck

Lionel Production Prototyping of Modern Era American Flyer
As of 1979, Lionel had been producing American Flyer S trains for about 46 years. However, except for a few items, they have now ceased offering a full product line. This clinic reviews the first 25 years of pre-production prototyping related to original Gilbert tooling, the condition and modification of that tooling, and the need in many cases for new tooling. The modes of decoration will also be discussed. Selected examples of pre-production model locomotives, rolling stock, and accessories will be shown.
Duration: 60 min

9:00am

Norm Logan

Creating a Museum-quality Backdrop - Part 1
If you are tired of flat blue walls and want an effective backdrop for your layout this is the clinic for you. Painting a backdrop can be the quickest way to add a lot of scenery to your model railroad in the shortest amount of time. It is also a great way to unify all your scenic ideas and give focus to your modeling theme. The clinic will cover design and planning choices, as well as backdrop painting materials and techniques. Part 2 continues at 10:30am in the same room.
Duration: 60 min

10:30am

George Van Duyne

Maintaining a Steam Locomotive
Have you ever wondered what it took to maintain and operate a locomotive in the days of steam? In this clinic you will learn just how much work was involved. The Steam Railroading Institute of Owosso, Michigan owns and operates the Pere Marquette 1225, a 2-8-4 Berkshire built by Lima in 1941. This clinic will describe the work needed to maintain the locomotive, including the recent project to rebuild the drivers and running gear, and the specific steps needed to fire up the locomotive, raise steam pressure to bring the locomotive to life, and operate it on excursions.
Duration: 60 min

10:30am

Norm Logan

Creating a Museum-quality Backdrop - Part 2
A continuation of Part 1, in this clinic, you will learn about using and installing clipped photos from magazines and internet photos to enhance your background. There will be a discussion of matching photos to the models on your layout. We will also discuss how to paint around and over photos to create a backdrop that will blend in with the adjacent layout.
Duration: 60 min