Tower Operation will explain the design and operation of the interlocking tower used to control train movements prior to Centralized Traffic Control (CTC). The clinic will explain the various elements of interlocking (mechanical, electrical, time) and the implementation of each element with the interlocking plant. The function of the tower operator is discussed and examples of incorporating this role into your operating session are presented. The clinic will feature examples of the interlocking tower and the tower operator incorporated into several nationally recognized railroad models (AGE, The Maumee, Stockton & Copperopolis, PRR Panhandle, C&O Clifton Forge).

Every railroad requires a great many types of systems and standards to physically support their operations. This clinic will look at rail weight requirements, bridge building and design issues, fuel and water requirements, types and designs of locomotives, and the evolution of infrastructure standards. This clinic will on the steam era, with examples of several Colorado railroads that represent the general issues faced by any railroad at the time.

Since the earliest days of the hobby, manufacturers have offered rolling stock models decorated for prototypes that often had no resemblance to the model.  This clinic will examine a few of these models, discuss what the prototypes really are, and how to properly model them.  Along the way, Ben will touch on the history and the background of the models themselves, prototype research, and resources.

Or: "How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Branch Line!" The GB ran from just west of Silver Spring, MD through Chevy Chase, Bethesda, along the palisades of the Potomac, and into Georgetown, DC. It operated from 1892 until 1985 and included a long, tall trestle, a tunnel, and industrial street running, serving varied industries including fuel and cement plants, lumber yards, three power plants and even a Frito-Lay factory. This clinic will discuss the history of the Branch as well as Ben's odyssey researching and modeling the line over the last twenty-plus years. Ben will discuss design approach and philosophy, how he developed a track plan, motive power and operations scheme, and why he chose the era he did. Ben will be sharing many prototype photos as well as layout/model construction photos, and what the future looks like.

“I am a model railroader. Why would I need ships on my layout?” you might ask. In this clinic, Bernie will provide a brief overview of the rail-marine interface showing the history and importance of rail-marine operations. The clinic then progresses to tips on   constructing ship models oriented toward model railroads. And lastly the clinic provides a gallery of finished models from around the world to inspire new projects.

At MARPM ‘23, Bryan concluded his presentation with a list of future-world plans for his C&O Alleghany Subdivision. Top of the list was a relatively simple trackside signal system (ABS) that shows block and turnout condition and reports the same back to the CTC-style dispatcher panel I showed last year. Simple? Well, sometime yes, and sometimes no. Bryan will share what he's learned using Digitrax signals and JMRI Panel Pro so you can begin developing your own system armed with corrections to the mistakes he's made. 

Update on the layout including a 40-foot benchwork expansion and building of the Latah Creek Bridge. Latah Creek bridge discussion will include prototype design, 3d printing, laser cut beams, deck design, and photo etched railings.

This clinic will explain from soup to nuts how the Cricut original “Maker” model can be an efficient tool for testing and then constructing custom structures to fit a given prototype. The Cricut cutter ( “Maker”), most used in crafting vinyl cutouts has the capability to cut thicker material. The Cricut can cut styrene sheet from .005 through .040 at least. The Cricut Design Space software that comes with the Cricut (requires internet connection) can be used to design most basic structural items, such as walls with door and window cutouts and it’s easy to learn. Other drawing software export files easily to Design Space. If you use CAD for 3D printing, you have software and skills for creating the 2D parts for large structures that would not be suitable for resin printing.  David is exploring the possibilities of the Cricut and compiling a list of helpful tips as well as dos and don’ts. Come learn that you don’t have to be a software engineer or a draftsman to design custom structures. See his experiments and decide for yourself if the Cricut can help you be a better prototype modeler.

Model railroading is rarely fun if trains do not operate flawlessly – stuttered locomotion and sound drop-outs are unacceptable. This clinic will cover what it takes to eradicate these demons, including solid track wiring, unquestionably powered turnouts from end to end, locomotive wheel cleaning, and electrically daisy-chaining consecutive locomotives (the prototype does it - we can, too!) for bulletproof DCC rail/loco continuity. If you wish to never have to regularly clean track again, attend this clinic. Warning: other layout building tips, photos, and videos may accompany this presentation.

Transloading coal from rails to boats has been an essential part of transportation on the Great Lakes for the past 150 years. This clinic examines the ports, machines, and railroads that participated in this vital industry, and will concentrate focus on the coal docks located on Lake Erie. Modeling tips will be included in this presentation.

This clinic will discuss the history of the C&S Clear Creek District from its beginnings in the 1880's, up to it's abandonment in 1941. The clinic will also discuss what it was that made this prototype railroad an inspiration for building an operations-oriented model railroad. Design, construction, and operations will be discussed, and well as the future plans for the layout.

An historical review of team tracks and team yards in cities and towns. These facilities are key for serving local customers who do not have direct rail service. They are also important delivery points for retailers and wholesalers that served the local population. These under utilized layout additions can increase layout operational interest and play value across many eras.

Fast freight lines helped reshape railroads in the United States in the latter third of the nineteenth century. Such common aspects of American railroading as the regular interchange of freight cars and the standardization of railcar parts owe a great debt to Fast Freight Lines. At their acme Fast Freight Lines carried almost all of the freight departing from New York City. Come learn how Fast Freight Lines originated, trace their rise to prominence in the 1870s, and explore the reasons for the decline of Fast Freight Lines as the nineteenth century came to a close.

Branch lines have always been a favorite modeling subject, and for good reason.   Although they are typically associated with earlier eras, plenty of examples exist in modern times as well.  Using Miami's three and half-mile-long Downtown Spur as an example, Lance will walk through how he approached planning, design, construction, and operations. Many of the concepts covered apply to any branch line.

The Central Vermont Railway's Richford branch was a 25 mile long branchline that skirted the Canadian border between St. Albans and Richford, Vt. Along the way it served several small towns, a paper mill, and a plywood plant. Perhaps most importantly it provides the inspiration for Marty's HO interpretation of the line, set in the late steam era. This clinic will cover the progress (or lack thereof!) Marty has made on modeling this slice of New England.

At age 75 Mat took down his basement sized layout and moved to a smaller home. This clinic starts with the lessons he learned taking down the old layout. Once Mat moved, he began building a new, smaller version of his HO scale Orgon Coast Railroad. While healthy and fit for his age, Mat's goal was to build an operations-oriented layout that he could maintain for many years into the future. He will explain what he has done and what he has decided not to do to support that goal. He will also discuss what he has done to get established in a new community of model railroaders.

A short history about a new and growing company and concept that aims to fill a void in the model railroad market using the newest 3D print technology. 

So, what do you do when a prototype steam locomotive from your favorite road isn’t available in plastic or brass? You kit-smash or kit-bash to get what you want!  Matthew will discuss what goes into getting the prototype you want by using time honored methods of kit-bashing and scratch building details as well as modern techniques.  In addition, methods of researching the prototype and finding the best starting point of building models will be covered.

Mike continues to make great progress on his proto-freelanced road in Upstate NY. Mike will discuss his scenery techniques along with his use of switch lists for operations.

General American’s innovative Airslide covered hoppers were owned or leased by many Class One railroads as well as being leased by numerous private owners. The clinic will describe the technology and history of Airslides and identify who had the major fleets. There will be a focus on showing B&O and Western Maryland Airslides and what they hauled, but other owners will not be ignored. Airslide unloading will be shown. HO models of Airslides and Airslide decals produced over the years will be discussed. Upgrading, painting and weathering of various HO Airslides will be illustrated. Everyone who models from about 1954 to 2004 could use a few of these interesting cars.

Learn how the B&O Railroad scrambled to serve two large new gypsum mines and wallboard plants beginning in 1955. The history of rail service to a U.S. Gypsum facility and nearby rival in Shoals, Indiana will be the focus. Early wallboard flat cars created by the B&O and other American railroads will be illustrated as will later cars leased from Trailer Train. HO models of these flat cars and a few related cars will be shown. The fate of the once important B&O Shoals operation and the final disposition of the freight cars will be described.

Wouldn't it be helpful to see your layout built before you build your layout? Nick Ozorak, host of "Great Train Layouts LIVE" on YouTube, will demonstrate his process for using Trainz Railroad Simulator to create 3D interactive train layouts. This approach provides the benefit of seeing a track plan in a 3D space, experimenting with different buildings and scenery elements, and play-testing operations for any scale. Nick will illustrate both the process for constructing a layout as well as showcasing some of his finished designs and their operations. To see his work in advance, visit GreatTrainLayouts.com

NixTrainz is the home of the Decoder Buddy. Decoder Buddys are motherboards for diesel and steam locomotives. They hold a 21-pin decoder from any manufacturer. Soldering to a $100+ decoder, choosing and installing resistors for LEDs and separating the locomotive frame from the shell are now problems of the past. Up to 12 lighting functions are available for you to use if your decoder provides outputs. Decoder and motherboard upgrades and conversions from dc to DCC are benefited greatly using a Decoder Buddy.

In this presentation we will take a look at how Ramon is designing his layout using track charts, engineering drawings, photographs, charts, and documents from the real railroad to enhance realism and prototype operations. We will take a look at hundreds of photographs, diagrams, and charts, and compare them to how he will replicate them in model form.

With a 30-year background in professional lighting and sound, Scott now loves using this knowledge for model railroading as well. Learn the concepts of basic stage lighting design and how it can be adapted to enhance model railroading. Take some of these same basic principles and apply them to your own railroad. In today's world of available technology that is actually pretty adorable, you can easily create magic on your railroad where you never thought possible.

The W&OD railroad was in business for 121 years serving Northern Virginia. Arguably one of the most popular shortline railroads in the U.S., the W&OD is a great option for model builders of today. With many model builders lacking space for a full layout, learn Scott's approach to designing a modular layout but still building prototypically, all of this while showing you why choosing a shortline can be to your advantage.

Bring a model and try out materials and techniques you can use for realistic steam- and diesel-era weathering. Ted and crew will be demonstrating and assisting with weathering projects throughout the event.

Tadmor was the primary hub for the Lehigh & New England’s operations in Pennsylvania’s Cement Belt. Multiple jobs were based out of this facility into the 1960s, including the two daily turns that served the branch to Catasauqua that Todd models. This clinic will look back at this prototype location in the L&NE years and explore how he adapted elements from it to turn a dead-end staging yard into a fully-scenicked extension of his layout and the story it tells.

It's been 10 years since Tom Jacobs began his journey to recreate the Reading Railroad's "Crossline" in a 20x36 freestanding building.  The golden spike was driven in the Summer of 2024, and Tom and his crew are moving forward in earnest to begin prototypical operations on the double-track mainline between Allentown and Harrisburg in the 1974-1975 time frame, just prior to the end of the Reading.  The clinic will focus on planning the train schedule, traffic management, signaling and CTC, and getting ready for another serious shakedown.

A scratchbuilding journey, from first thoughts, design, early modifications, part builds, and experimentation through to several unique open coal hoppers culminating with a 100% scratchbuild. Open hopper builds include M271 - (MoW) tie hopper, H49 H11R, H11CR and HS-18 coal hoppers, none of which are commercially available anywhere. The building techniques Tony uses can be easily utilized to create boxcars and other designs.

This clinic shows what shortline railroads can do as well as the big boys in handling heavy equipment related to railroads out in the open. Included are the movement of 124 ton transformers off railcars to rubber tired trailers for delivery, change out of motors and wheel sets on diesels, and loading of steam locomotives. It took special permission to get in to take the photos and, as such, you'll not find them on the internet.  This is an "in closer look" at boys with the big toys handling the heavy stuff and could answer some questions of how the real item looks and works.