convention

Clinics - Paul Richardson

Clinics are always a big part of any convention and it won’t be any different for the Trinity River Interchange. We’ve already lined up many must see clinics and are working on more. See the list below for details. If you would like to give a clinic or have an idea of a topic you want to learn more about please contact me and we’ll see if we can make it happen!

Click on the arrow on the top right of the calendar to show individual clinic rooms.

We are happy to announce the following clinics:

Fran and Miles Hale, MMR
A Hands-on, Make-and-Take Clinic.
Participants will receive instruction for “Building a Walthers 3-in-1 kit”. This clinic will be limited to 25 participants and has a $5.00 fee to cover paint, adhesives, etc. The kit is has a retail value of approximately $15.00 and will be free of charge to participants.

Lloyd Keyser, MMR
“Steam Generator Cars”
During the steam to diesel transition, Railroads were forced to fill the need of generating steam for multiple uses. This slide show will take a look at many custom built steam generator cars, their many uses, ending with scratch building a C&NW multi purpose steam generator car, and how one will enhance your operating sessions.

Pat Harriman, MMR (former Achievement Program General Manager)
Paul Richardson, MMR (current Achievement Program General Manager)
"Achievement Program Judging"
If you have ever wondered what the judges look for when your models are being judged for the AP the answers are here. This clinic will help you understand how to improve your model building skills based on how models are judged.

Lee Johnson
“Planning for Operations”
A clinic to help you plan your railroad or revise your existing railroad for operations.
Lee will cover the steps needed to prepare your railroad and remove the mysteries surrounding operating your railroad in a realistic manner.

Bob Brendle
“Painting a Brick Wall”
Based on his article in the “Brick Walls with Character” in the July 2000 RMC article, now out of print. Weathering the walls is done with inexpensive watercolor. If you want to learn how to give your structures more character this it the clinic for you.

Jerry Hoverson, MMR
“Control That Tortoise”
Learn how to build a 556 based circuit to control a tortoise machine from more then one location. Why would I want to do that? There are a couple of real good reasons; first the turnout may actually need to be controlled from two or more control panels for ease of operation. Second say you want to use a single button and a diode matrix for route control in your yard, this used to be fairly standard with the old solenoid switch motors but a lot more difficult with the tortoise that requires constant power to hold it in position. This circuit will allow you to do both, it’s easy to build and parts are readily available.

Chuck Lind, MMR
“Computer Enhanced Photography”
Have you ever wanted to put yourself or friends or family into your model photos? Chuck will show you how to enhance your photos and put yourself into photos that fit the setting for your railroad. I model 1957 and will be interested to learn these techniques to help me take and enhance my model photos.

Dave Lamberts
"Photographing Your Models"
Have you ever wanted to take Magazine Cover quality photos of your layout? Dave will discuss tips and techniques to help you learn the processes. Taking professional quality photos requires specific skills and knowledge but it can be done with some guidance by an experienced photographer. As a newcomer to photography, this clinic will capture my attention.    

Charlie Kirk
“Making Aspen Trees”
Charlie shares his techniques for making some of the finest Aspens I have ever seen. If your railroad needs Aspens, don’t miss this clinic. These techniques could be revised and used to make other types of trees as well.

Ed McCamey
"Why Proto Scale"
The whys and how of modeling to the level and detail of Proto Standards.

Charles Goodrich, MMR
“Painting Brass Locomotives”
Charles will outline the steps necessary to produce a beautiful finish on your locomotives.

Brett Gallant
“Building Craftsman Kits”
Brett is the owner and operator of Sierra West Scale Models and produces highly-detailed craftsman kits. This is a clinic you do not want to miss.

Tracy Mitchell, MMR
"Tools of the Trade"
Which is a "how to" describing tools and model construction. Tracy is a well-known model builder and has been a consistent winner in the contest room.

John Best
“Modeling Prototypical Industrial Details”
John has presented this clinic at the National Convention and has agreed to present it to the LSR. His clinics are always interesting and he invites questions and is always interested in helping you improve your models.

Al Boos, MMR
“To Be Determined”
Al is the Lone Star Region Achievement Program Chairman and has mentored countless LSR members in the AP.

Gil Freitag, MMR
“40 Years on the SC&W”
Gil will describe the history of his famous Stony Creek & Western railroad. Gil is a legend in the NMRA and the LSR. His clinics are always entertaining and educational.

Fred Bock, MMR
Tom Crosthwait
“Operations 101”
For the modeler who knows little to nothing about operating a model railroad this clinic takes you from the most basic topics to running an operations session. If you want to operate your railroad but don’t know how to begin, Tom and Fred are here to help.

Gary Rush
“Backdrop Painting”
Gary discusses tips and techniques to successfully producing a realistic backdrop for your layout. The addition of a backdrop is the icing on the cake for layout construction. A fine quality layout without a backdrop is missing a major component to make it appear realistic. I have recently taken up backdrop painting and plan to be in the audience for this clinic.

Larry Alfred, MMR
“Scratchbuilding Simple Structures”
“Detailing a Blank Wall”
Larry is the current Mid-Continent Region (MCoR) President and a contest-winning model builder. I have known Larry for nearly a decade and his clinics are informative and enjoyable.

John Lowrance, MMR
"Setting the Scene"
This clinic is based on the observation that "Today we have the very best selection of highly detailed structures, vehicles, figures, details and scenery products ever available in the history of model railroading, yet many people still have difficulty mixing these components together into a realistic scene."  This clinic will strive to provide some basic things that help create realistic scenes.  Some of the topics include: why scenery may be the most important part of your layout, nature's laws that must be followed, setting a season and time period, every scene tells a story, how much detail is needed, control of views, placement of structures, and more.

Duane Richardson, MMR Topic to be determined depending upon needed topics.

Paul Richardson, MMR Topic to be determined depending upon needed topics.

Steve Barkley
"DCC decoder installations"
In this 4 hour session Steve will describe the process to install a DCC decoder and what to do and not do. Following the discussion the attendees will be able to install a decoder into their locomotives with Steve’s guidance and supervision. This is a real opportunity for those who need to install decoders but are a bit apprehensive about taking the plunge.

Chris Atkins
"Beginning Operations with RailOp"
In this clinic Chris will describe how Rail Op works, the advantages of using a computerized software package to schedule your operating sessions.

Chap Boaz, General Manager and Lori Pennington, Marketing Manager
"Texas State Railroad"
Clips or news cast of some recent events. Who doesn’t like to see a Steam Engine going down the track?

Bob LaPrelle, President & CEO
"Museum of the American Railroad"
Travel beyond the limits of your imagination... A PowerPoint presentation about the museum and our move to Frisco.

More Clinicians are being added and we should receive commitments in the next few days