Author: Cliff Green

Al Frasch / Photos by Jon Wilbert

Dick Haines showing boxcar with installed sound decoder

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014 saw twenty-two interested model railroaders in attendance at the annual “Mini-clinics” session. Rich Blake welcomed everyone to the evening’s action which began with Dick Haines showing the new Sound Car decoder from Bachmann. He explained his installation in a boxcar with decoder, speaker and a “keep alive.” He indicated the price was in the mid-$30 range and requires a speaker of your choice. He suggested that one could add such a car every 3 or 4 cars to realistically portray the wheel click and squeal of the prototype.

The first Mini-clinic was a four part talk by John White titled “Flat Cars.” John models in On30, but the principles should hold for all scales except maybe for zed (Z scale). Part 1 was on giving the flat cars weight. He uses small lead shot to arrive at about 4 ounces, gluing them to the under structure using white glue to fully encase the shot. Then a coat of grimy black hides them quite well.

Part 2 was on wheels and couplers in which John said he tries to standardize to 36” Intermountain wheels and Kadee #5 couplers.

Part 3 was on the laying of the flat car deck. John starts with 12” scale wood which he stains (no paint) and cuts to length. He suggested to start gluing (using CA) the deck from the non-brake end to the middle, then from the brake end, meeting in the middle with a narrower plank if necessary. The nail holes are made with the end of a 7mm mechanical pencil at about 30 degrees to the vertical, making a small depression which is filled with weathering chalks. They really do look great!

John White finished flat car with stained deck

Part 4 concerned a method of loading the flat car using what John calls a “load retention device.” This is platform that will hold the loads which is built to exactly fit between the vertical stakes of the car. This allows a quick switching of loads either during or between operation sessions to reflect the load/unload at industries on the layout.

John Mann was next up with a discussion of the numerous options for airbrushing. He pointedly indicated that he was only talking about airbrushing tools, not techniques. Airbrushing requires three items: an airbrush, a source of air and paint. First, he showed a $15 airbrush kit from Harbor Freight, definitely on the low price end of things. Next was a $500 Badger airbrush on the high end. John suggested that a good middle ground would be the $50 (approximately) Badger 350 kit which is gravity fed and being popular, all the needed accessories are readily available. He suggested that one always get a dust/moisture filter for the air line. Whether you want a single action or dual, gravity fed or syphon fed, most any combination is available from the major brands.

John Mann showing how to store paints for long term usability

John was very insistent that one practice, practice, practice before tackling a “real” model. A cheap practice medium could even be watercolors or diluted latex paints.

The next need is air and John indicated several sources: the cans of air sold for airbrushing, a compressor (with a tank), or even a spare tire – really. With any source, a good air gauge is a necessity. He finished up by reminding everyone that a clean work area — including a painting booth or other source to evacuate the fumes — clean paint, clean airbrush and clean air source are the keys to great results.

Our third clinic was by Tom Hawkins, our resident layout design guru. His talk was titled “Lessons I Have Learned.” Tom is currently designing a 15’ X 15’ layout for another member of the clinic and was the third place winner in a national design contest by Model Railroader.

Tom Hawkins explaining plan details

Some of his lessons learned:
– no plan gets built exactly as drawn.
– always, always make sure you have access to hidden areas.
– if the layout isn’t reachable, make sure pop-ups included.
– double ended yard tracks can take more space than stub end tracks.
– yards need to be large enough to handle all the arrivals, departures and sorting that your operations scheme might require.
– it is amazing how much just a couple of inches in width of benchwork can make, adding a track or two extra in a yard or industrial area.
– avoid S-curves that are as short as your longest car, use #6 or greater turnouts to create crossovers.
– aisles need to be as wide as possible but it is always a compromise.
– try to keep minimum radii as large as possible and don’t forget the easements into curves.

After Tom, the clinic meeting was adjured to November 12th at which time Jack Hamilton and Di Voss are scheduled to present Nick Muff with his official MMR plaque and certificate prior to our regular clinic presentation.

Assortment of John White flat car loads

Rich Thom

The Skagit Valley and Whidbey (SV&W) Clinic got off to a great start at its first meeting in Oak Harbor on September 10th, with Chairperson Rich Blake welcoming everyone back after the summer break. Actually most members met in August at John and Felicia Marshall’s home for a BBQ, also featuring John’s growing (they always do!) outdoor G-scale railroad. This added “bonus” meeting has become a tradition thanks to the Marshalls’ hospitality.

Rich noted tonight’s attendance was 27, a good beginning for the season (last year’s average was 28). New member Steve Shelley—modeling in HO scale—was introduced and welcomed. Rich reviewed the season’s clinic topics and regional calendar of NMRA and other events. Clinic members again plan to support many of the events such as the Pacific Science Center Show, the Monroe Train Show, and others.

Rich Blake presented the evening’s clinic, “The Art of Ops.” Several members already host regular operating sessions; and others plan to. The theme of Rich’s talk was how guest operators should prepare themselves to help make the session run smoothly. It also improves your chances of getting invited back!

Homework Before the Op Session

If you are invited to operate on an unfamiliar layout, there’s a lot you can do before showing up, anxious to move your first train. Most hosts have abundant material available describing the things you need to know about their railroad. They will email it to you, refer you to a website, or perhaps reference published articles. In addition to this layout-specific information, guest operators should know basic railroad operating practices.

• Prototype or Theme/era for the Layout—The host will tell you the location and timeframe his layout recreates, and will appreciate guests having some basic familiarity with it, which can be researched on the internet.
• What, When, Where and How—The host will almost always provide a Track Plan, Timetable, or often an entire Employee Timetable. Study these carefully. There’s nothing more frustrating than being handed a throttle and told to take a train from A to B, and not having the slightest idea where A and B are.
• General Rules of the Road—Be familiar with general rules, such as can be found in the General Code of Operating Rules, which can be downloaded from the internet.
• Layout Owner Rule Set—Sometimes provided in advance, sometimes not. If they are, read them. How are cars uncoupled on the layout? Is sound used, and does the host want you to use realistic whistle signals? (Know them.) Does he want you to not touch his cars and locos under any circumstances? Does he wish nothing to be placed on the layout, even “harmless” paper? Owners can be very sensitive about such things, and guests should know them.
• Train Control—How is traffic controlled, TT&TO, Track Warrants, CTC etc? Know the basics of these methods, and refresh yourself with the details of the one used.
• Car Forwarding—The host will usually specify the method used: car cards, switch lists, tab-on-car, etc. Know how to use them beforehand.
• DCC/DC—The host will specify whether he uses Lenz, Digitrax, MRC etc. If you are not familiar with the manufacturer’s equipment, do your homework. Instruction manuals can be found on the internet. Also don’t forget how to operate on a DC layout—there are still some around!

At the Layout

Encountering an unfamiliar layout, especially a large and fully-scenicked one, you’ll usually be wowed and start looking at all the details. But right after the orientation tour, you’ll be expected to run a train. Focus on what is operationally important first!

• Electrical Panels—Some are user friendly with clear diagrams, others less so. Ask if some are confusing to you.

• Turnout Controls—Know where they are and how to use them.
• DCC/DC—Locate the DCC plug-in panels.
• Signals—Know the indications! On a CTC layout, for example, if you don’t know what yellow over red means, ask the host for a cheat sheet. Most have them available.
• Problem Trackwork—This refers to complex, not poorly laid, track. Locate complex trackwork that you will need to negotiate, such as three-way and slip switches. If they are aligned by the road crews, know how to throw them to avoid embarrassment when your train gets there!
• Defer admiring the layout until after you are comfortable with the things above.
• Self-Prep—Take with you the accessories that you may need. Operating usually requires four or five hands, to hold train orders, throttle, radio, car cards etc. Pack an apron with pockets and/or neck lanyard; small flashlight; pens/pencils, spare uncoupling picks. If you take your own throttle, pack spare batteries.
• Give Feedback to the Host—He will appreciate knowing the bugs that you’ve encountered. Remove bad order cars, and fill out bad order forms if provided. Blue flag problem trackwork. Identify any locos that need attention. Taking photos of bad order items and sending later also works. Always stay for and contribute to the debriefing at the end of the session.

And Slow Down!

The final section of Rich’s talk addressed slowing down for more realistic operation, illustrated with video clips, some of which Rich shot on his On30 modules. It’s common to see switching moves performed in an op session at a speed impossible in the real world, without brakemen moving at the speed of light that is. Using “one potato two potato” counting to insert simulated time for releasing hand brakes, uncoupling, walking to and from ground throws, etc., Rich demonstrated how these operations can be done much more realistically, more than doubling the time usually seen in typical sessions. Simulating brake tests, setting retainers, and other prototype operations can also add interest and slow things down. Finally, several video clips showed some of the bad habits that even experienced operators can develop over time. One of the best: grabbing a freight car with your left hand to create slack (probably moving the loco at the end of the cut in the process) while uncoupling with a pick in your right hand

Operating can be fun for both guests and host, but guests need to do their half of the work: do the homework!