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Meet Clinics

At every one of our Coast Division Quarterly Meets, we have several one hour clinics, on a topic of interest to our model railroading membership.
And we always have Jerry Littlefield's ever popular "Model Railroad Roundtable" discussion. 

Note that guests are always welcome at our Coast Division meets, guests don't have to be a member to come and check out our quarterly Meets, and guests are welcome to come to our clinics as well.  

Have a look below at what is coming up, and come on out!


Clinics at June 2010 Coast Division Quarterly Meet

10 AM -  Developing a Web Site for your Railroad

Click here to download Acrobat Reader copy of this presentation !

by: John Sing

By popular demand, John Sing is back to deliver a clinic on developing your own Model Railroad Web Site.
  Anyone will benefit, this clinic is designed for everyone - you don't have to be a Internet expert!
In fact, doing a web site.... it's a lot like designing a model railroad.  :-)

It's not as hard as you think!   *You* can do it! 


http://home.comcast.net/~j.sing

We'll take an entertaining, easy-to-understand look at the following :

1.  What's possible with Model RR web sites?  Who's doing what locally?       
2.  What should my "Givens & Druthers" be for my web site?                            
3.  What are my web site options?  (from Easy to Advanced). Lots of options.
4.  What is my easy step-by-step list of things to do?  Easy steps.                    
                                5.   Examples / resources of what you can do today!                                                                           
                            
You'll see many examples, including how the Coast Division quarterly web site gets built.       
                                                                                        
Everyone can do this!

  You can literally be up and running your own web page after getting home from the the Meet.  
No kidding!  We'll show you how.  :-)

(As a supplement, you're welcome to review John's previous clinic on Photographing Railroad Models): 
http://home.comcast.net/~atsf_arizona/John_Sings_Photographing_Railroad_Models_John_Sing_v23.pdf

 

 

11 AM - Details Make The Difference and MORE!

by:  Brad Lloyd

Brad  Lloyd has presented numerous clinics on model railroading and detailing at the
National NMRA level as well as Pacific Coast Region Conventions.

He is a well known local and regional modeller, and he built two of the sections of the beautiful
Yosemite Short Line On30 traveling modular narrow gauge layout:

 

Come hear and see what Brad has to say about Detailing Makes the Difference!

Brad Lloyd lives in the San Francisco Bay Area but grew up and lived in other parts of the
US, before coming to California. He is in several local round-robins.  HO is his primary scale, but he also
models in On30, and is a narrow gauge and short line modeler.
Brad's primary interest is the Denver & Rio Grande Colorado narrow gauge. 



11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - by Jerry Littlefield

We also have our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable.  Check it out, you'll
be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation, you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Don't miss it!  :-)



Here's examples of previous clinic topics at our quarterly meets. 
Some of the descriptions below have live links to material from that clinic, so check it out to see what is there.  :-)

Clinics at March 2010 Coast Division Quarterly Meet

10 AM -  DCC Decoder Hardware - Selection and Installation


Click here to see Mark Gurrie's DCC downloadable presentations at the Silicon Valley Lines web site

by: Mark Gurries

Mark Gurries is literally known worldwide for his expertise and generous sharing of his model railroad DCC knowledge
on various forums, chat groups, and other Internet vehicles
He arguably is one of the worldwide prolific contributors to these real-time forums that support
model railroad Digital Command Control (DCC) enthusiasts all over the globe.

We are all lucky that Mark lives right here in our Coast Division.   Come hear Mark's entertaining, easy-to-understand
DCC lecture on decoder hardware - Selection and Installation.    Regardless of how much
you think you already know... Mark will probably add to that knowledge, and certainly, bring
you current on what is going on right now in the fast-advancing world of DCC.

Come with your questions!

 

11 AM - Decoder Software - Programming and Selection

by:  Mark Gurries

In the second of his two DCC lectures today, Mark will cover decoder software - Programming and Selection.

Want to know about Programming your decoder?  Consisting?  Function mapping?
Speed tables?  Back EMF?  and a whole lot more? 

Another entertaining lecture with Mark!  As with everything in DCC keeps improving,
(just like the rest of our fast-paced electronic world), come and find out what is new and different.

It's not as hard as it looks (this is the NCE PowerHouse Pro DCC command station at Silicon Valley Lines):



Come hear Mark speak, and you'll see how easy it really can be, when you have the right person explain it to you.

Mark is a Power Supply and Batter Applications Engineer at Linear Technology,
and his Model Railroad Club and NMRA DCC presentations can be seen at

http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/index.html

 Mark is also a Audio Enthusiast (loves SAE equipment), and you
can learn more about this hobby of his (as well as more about Mark), at:

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/gurriesm/

See you there!

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - by Jerry Littlefield

We also have our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable. 

Check it out, you'll be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation,
you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.

 Don't miss it!  :-)



Clinics at December 2009 Coast Division Quarterly Meet

10 AM -  Photographing Railroad Models

Click here to download Acrobat Reader copy of this presentation

by: John Sing

John is one of the Coast Division's prolific photographers of local model railroad layouts and models.
Examples of his work can be seen on the Coast Division Model Contest web site
and at his own personal model railroad web site.


.
In this clinic, John will discuss the his easy to follow methods for making digital
model railroad photos, using today's very affordable digital cameras.   Specific recommendations for
equipment will be included, as well as ideas and recommendations for simple composition, lighting, backdrop, and exposure.

Post-processing of the digital image is then covered (this is just as important as the original image itself) by
using free simple but powerful photo editing software (I use IrfanView) that can be downloaded off the Internet.

The focus of this clinic is on easy to follow methods for digital model railroad photography.  Assumes limited photography experience
However, insights, tips and hints for experienced phototographers are included, as we all learn by sharing our experiences.

This clinic is aimed for the "everyone" in all of us -  we're not going to go into the professional level details.
So, if you just want to make better model railroad photos - come on out and
hear what John has to say about "Everyone can do digital model railroad photos!!!"

 

11 AM - In the Roundhouse at RailTown

by:  Dave Tadlock

Dave Tadlock has worked at Railtown 1897 State Historic Park in Jamestown, California,
 for many years, almost exclusively in the roundhouse, and is intimately familar with their steam locomotives.
Roundhouse area at Railtown 1897 in Jamestown

Dave's clinic will show what it's like inside the locomotive repair area, and to work around the
 historic locomotives and cars at Jamestown.  Come hear the stories and experience Railtown through the
eyes and ears of one of their dedicated longtime volunteers!

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - by Jerry Littlefield

We also have our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable.  Check it out, you'll
be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation, you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Don't miss it!  :-)






Clinics at Sept 2009 Coast Division Quarterly Meet

10 AM -  Layout Signaling, An Update for Today's Modeler

by:  Kermit Paul, MMR

Kermit Paul, MMR, is well known as a NMRA Master Model Railroader, as the owner/builder of the
Lone Pine & Tonopah HO model railroad, as a innovator, author, and consultant in model railroad control systems,
animation, signaling (see book 1,  book 2).  Kermit has been a consultant on the building and construction
of many custom large, complex model railroad projects, such as the Lackawanna in 1/32 scale.

Come and hear what Kermit has to say about putting signals on your layout!!

 

11 AM - The UP in Niles Canyon - a Progress Report on his HO layout

by:  Seth Neumann, VP, NMRA Operations Special Interest Group (OPSIG)

Seth Neumann is a long-time active ambassador for model railroad Operations, and has
been involved locally and nationally in model railroad Operations for over a decade.  Seth
currently serves as the national 2009 VP for the OPSIG.

Seth will give an progress report on his built-for-operations HO layout, the Union Pacific Niles Canyon in HO.
This layout was open for operations in the recent Bayrails 2009 operations event as well as at the
recent Pacific Coast Region 2009 convention.   

Come here and see what is the latest on Seth's personal HO layout, built for operations!

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - Jerry Littlefield

We also have our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable.  Check it out, you'll
be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation, you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Don't miss it!  :-)



June 2009 Clinics

We will have another Special Edition Show and Tell event

We are going to do a repeat of the popular Special Edition Show and Tell that we did in June 2007.

This is an exciting event, where individuals and clubs bring their models for display, modules.
Click here to see the information (MS Word)
More publicity and information coming out soon!

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to bring and display.  The contact is:

 John Marshall, Clinic Chairman, Coast Division, PCR, NMRA at ntrak@sbcblobal.net or [925] 461-0206

Call him and reserve your space now!   It's going to be a great time.


11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - Jerry Littlefield

We will also have  our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable.  Check it out, you'll
be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation, and you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Don't miss it!  :-)




March 2009 Clinics

10 AM:    How to install DCC decoders (with emphasis on steam locos), by Mark Schutzer

Mark Schutzer gave a excellent clinic on installing DCC in locos, especially in brass locos.
Click here to download a 1.8 MB Acrobat Reader copy of Mark's handout for this clinic. 

Mark also has an excellent model railroading web site, with more of his hints and tips
on brass locos and on DCC.

10 AM:    Basic  Backdrop Painting, by Dave Biondi

Dave paints backdrops for model railroaders, has presented numerous painting clinics for the
Pacific Coast Region, and is in high demand. Dave will show you how you too can
paint your own backdrop using his simplified techniques, and you'll
find you can do nice results!  Come check it out..

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - Jerry Littlefield

Every Meet, we have our ever-popular Model Railroad Roundtable.  Check it out, you'll
be amazed at the good ideas, lively conversation, and you'll learn a lot and have fun doing it.
Don't miss it!  :-)




December 7, 2008 Clinics

10 AM:   "Free-Mo-N, N-Scale Modular System"  - by Dave Falkenburg

A demonstration of the Free-Mo-N module construction methods and its' use in building and operating a portable N Scale Layout.
Free-mo-N is an exciting, popular growing US-based fine scale modular N scale railroad standard, similar in concept to HO Free-Mo.   Come learn all about it!   Here are some photos from the clinic:

                   

  Click here to download Acrobat Reader copy of Dave's clinic (2.4 MB).
Click on the following photo links to see more info about superb worldwide Free-Mo-N modules: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.


11 AM:  "AARP Driver Safety Program Overview" -  by Bill Blum

A presentation on the Senior Citizen Defensive Training program offered by AARP.
  The AARP program It makes it easy to learn how to apply for an car insurance discount by:
 
a) Tuning up your driving skills and update your knowledge of the rules of the road.
b) Learning about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust your driving to allow for these changes.
c) Reducing your traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries.
d) Driving more safely,  so you can be mobile for as long as possible.

Come enjoy this clinic, and Happy Driving to you!

11 AM - "Model Railroad Roundtable"  - Jerry Littlefield

At every Coast Division Meet, Jerry runs this ever-popular roundtable.   Bring your questions,
and your answers;  listen, learn, and enjoy.   You'll learn so many things, and who knows what
interesting topics will come up?   Something surprising and fun always does!   Come join  us.




September 7, 2008 Clinics

10 AM:   "Getting your Chief Dispatcher Achievement Certificate"  - Seth Neumann

The Chief Dispatcher NMRA Achievement  Program certificate recognizes Master Model Railroader
accomplishments in realistic train operation on the model railroad, acting in the roles of
Engineer, Yardmaster, Towerman, and of course, Dispatcher.   It's a very fun certificate to earn the hours in,
(hey, it's running trains!) - come to this entertaining clinic by Seth and learn all about it!

11 AM:  "DecoderPro - the DCC Modeler’s Greatest Tool" -  Jon Miller

Jon's previous clinic in December 2007 was so popular, we're having him back to do
another session on DeCoder Pro, the free computer program that lets you use a graphical
interface to program your DCC decoders.

It makes it easy to set sound levels, speed tables, etc., and will print out a list of all your CV values.
It saves your settings for a given locomotive so that in case of problems, it can restore your settings.
It has many other great features that make programming a decoder easy.
Come and learn all about it!

11 AM - "Model Railroad Roundtable"  - Jerry Littlefield

At every Coast Division Meet, Jerry runs this ever-popular roundtable.   Bring your questions,
and your answers;  listen, learn, and enjoy.   You'll learn so many things, and who knows what
interesting topics will come up?   Something surprising and fun always does!   Come join  us.





June 2008 Clinics

10 AM:    Modeling Public Utilities, by Tom Crawford

Tom Crawford is retired after over thirty years working at Pacific Gas & Electric, the utility company
for the San Francisco Bay area.  Come here Tom share his expertise and long experience in
modeling the public utility.    A winner of a clinic!


11 AM:    Basics of DCC, by Mark Gurries

Mark Gurries, a electronic engineer in his regular live, is one of our local acknowledged experts in all aspect of model
railroad Digital Command Control (DCC).   Come here Mark give his always popular
and full-of-information clinic on the basics of DCC.

Click here to see and download copies of Mark's excellent presentations on all things DCC

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - Jerry Littlefield

At every Coast Division Meet, Jerry runs this ever-popular roundtable.   Bring your questions,
and your answers;  listen, learn, and enjoy.   You'll learn so many things, and who knows what
interesting topics will come up?   Something surprising and fun always does!   Come join  us.




December 2, 2007

10 AM to 12 Noon: Decoder Pro clinic - CV programming (DCC)

We are privileged to have a special Decoder Pro Clinic

By Jon Miller and Ogden Lemont

Learn how to use Decoder Pro, the free computer program that lets you use a graphical
interface to program your DCC decoders.

It makes it easy to set sound levels, speed tables, etc., and will print out a list of all your CV values.
It saves your settings for a given locomotive so that in case of problems, it can restore your settings.
It has many other great features that make programming a decoder easy.

This clinic has up to a 2 hour time slot so we wouldn't be rushed.

There will be a handout limited to 25 copies.

Be sure to have lots of questions for the presenters!

Special Bonus: BLI supplied a Blueline engine to test the decoder lock. Instead of
returning it, BLI has donated the engine to Coast Division when the testing was finished.
It’s an AC6000 painted for Union Pacific.

We will be using this engine in the Decoder Pro clinic. It will then be auctioned off in a special raffle
as described in the Coast Dispatcher Superintendent's Notes.  
It has a retail value of approximately $165.

_______________________________________________________________________________

11 AM to 12 Noon: Effective Operating Sessions - by Dave Clemens

Dave Clemens, one of the premier Operations experts in our area, will be giving
one of his fascinating, entertaining, informative, chock-full-of-great-information
clinics about how to hold effective Operating Sessions.

Whether you know everything or nothing about Operations, if you are interesting in this
topic, com and learn all about it from one of the best.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

11 AM to 12 Noon: Model Railroad Roundtable - moderated by Jerry Littlefield

Our popular quarterly roundtable where you can ask those burning questions, and listen in on fascinating answers and tips!
Every quarter, this popular clinic expands all of our horizons about what is possible.   We all
also get to learn so much about who is doing what, and the variety and talent is really great. Come on over!

June 3, 2007

11 AM to 12 Noon: Model Railroad Roundtable - moderated by Jerry Littlefield

Our popular quarterly roundtable where you can ask those burning questions, and listen in on fascinating answers and tips!

10 AM to 12 Noon: Extended Show and Tell Session - a two hour participation special clinic

You're invited to share a little of your pride and joy information, by participating and in setting
up a "Show and Tell Mini-Clinic" table at the June 2007 Meet.

The biggest asset that the NMRA has is its members and the accumulated knowledge that those
members have. We are blessed by the fact that so many of our members also are willing to share
that with our fellow members.

Each of us is an overflowing jar of knowledge about some aspect of the hobby that interests us. What is
your favorite Railroad and why? What is your favorite type of rolling stock, passenger train, structure?
Those are all good topics.  Do you love to chase trains, take photos of trains, collect buttons, switch
locks, lanterns or even RR related postage stamps?  Have you found some interesting things that help
you make scenery?  Have you found some unique source for unusual tools that help you in your modeling?

These are all good topics for our June 2007 Show and Tell mini-clinics, and that is why you're invited to participate in a
special “Show and Tell” mini-clinic event in June.  This is your chance to share with your fellow
modelers about your knowledge. Chances are, you will find others who share your interest. Here is
your opportunity to have the floor, and we look forward to appreciating what you have to offer.

Click here to see how our Special June 2007 Show and Tell mini-clinics turned out!


March 18, 2007

10 AM to 11am:  "Thunder on the Mountains - Tsunami Sound Decoder Install" - Ogden LaMont

11 AM to 12 Noon - Building a Wide Variety of Walls - Dave Connery / Brad Lloyd 

11 AM - Model Railroad Roundtable - Jerry Littlefield

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