News

BANQUET SPEAKER:
TEN YEARS ON THE EMPORIA SUBDIVISION - STEPHEN PRIEST, MMR
The Banquet Presentation by the Editor of the NMRA's Scale Rails and numerous other publications will focus on Stephen & Cinthia Priest's HO Scale Emporia Subdivision. The double deck layout celebrates its 10th anniversary this year. Steve will celebrate its 10th anniversary by showing how this fully signaled and prototypically based layout was designed, built and completed in just three years. Lots of images of the railroad will be shown including some video clips. Steve's articles and photos have been featured in Books, MR, RMS, MRJ, Scale Rails and the Santa Fe Modeler as well as video productions and guest host on the "Do It Yourself television, Workin' on the Railroad series. His knowledge as a writer, photographer, product designer, model railroad builder and prototype expert is unsurpassed.
GENERAL MODEL RAILROADING SKILLS CLINICS:
PHOTOGRAPHY FOR PUBLICATION -- STEPHEN PRIEST MMR
This clinic covers the creation of photos for publishing to improve your chance of getting published! Covers, depth of field, resolution, image quality, composition, believability, process photography and Helicon Focus with emphasis on how to label and caption your images to avoid confusion at the editorial office.
REAL PAPER BUILDINGS, TAKING PHOTOS TO THE LAYOUT - MILES HALE, MMR
Real buildings made into models from your camera and your photo printer. Miles covers; cameras, printing, and use of Photoshop and "Model Maker" software programs to make the fast, realistic and historical buildings for your layout. Miles is the NMRA Western Director, and one of the nation's top custom Model Railroad Builders. His articles have been published by every major model railroad publication and featured on videos, and television. Internationally known for his appearance and co-production of the DIY network's Workin' On The Railroad" series, his custom railroads include the newest exhibit at the Magic House Children's Museum in St Louis and the Kansas City Southern layout built for the lobby of their corporate headquarters. It is homecoming for Miles who is an LSR "Life Member" and former SAMRA member.
HOMEMADE DECALS - ORPHIE NEATHERY
Orphie Neathery, shows how to make custom decals using your home computer and inkjet or laser jet printer. Orphie's work has been featured on most of the major custom historical structures at SAMRA's San Antonio & Northern Railroad. Serious structure builders must see!
STYRENE BASICS - BILL EUBANK
How to build structures (or anything) from styrene. This is a "basics" clinic on scratch building using styrene sheet and shapes and will demonstrate building a small structure to include painting and finishing. A pioneer of early styrene use by Al Armatage, Bills work is featured on SAMRA's modular railroad and the Museum's San Antonio & Northern railroad.
PAINTING AND WEATHERING STEAM LOCOMOTIVES - STEPHEN (STEVE) AMITRANO
Learn how to take an unpainted steam locomotive and turn it into a museum quality locomotive from an expert custom painter. Steve teaches step-by-step, how to bring steam locomotives "alive." Steve's work has appeared in numerous model railroad magazines and recently swept many first place awards at the 2010 National Sn3 Symposium in Houston. Many of Steve's techniques can easily be adopted for diesel weathering too!" Includes handout "Bench top painting and weathering guide"
DECALING (HANDS ON) -- AL BOOS, MMR
Hours: 3 to 4 , Extra Fare: $18, Participants: 16 maximum, Presentations: Two Participants learn skills of decaling and weathering cars (and anything) by hands on decaling of a freight car. $18 extra fare covers the cost of the make-and-take car and decals. Al will loan the tools needed for your project. The painted ACCURAIL Reefer already has the weight and dimension data applied. We will cover the standardized areas where markings are to be placed. You will apply the road name, reporting letters and numbers, car end data and rebuilt (New) data and journal repack markings as desired. Emphasis is on techniques used to achieve the “painted on” look.
*DCC / ELECTRONICS CLINICS:*
SOUNDS OF MODEL RAILROADING - JIM PACKER, MMR
An in-depth look at the use of sound effects on a layout. Detailed instructions on selecting DCC sound units and their installation will include a discussion on specific locomotives and resolving the challenges of fitting and wiring. We will also look at the use of digital sound modules as a means for bringing added realism to the layout. With scenery not to be missed, MMR #124, Jim Packer's "Nevadun Railroad" has been featured in most every Model Railroad publication. www.nevadunrailroad.com
FOURTEEN YEARS LIVING WITH DCC - STEVE BARKLEY
Fourteen years ago, Steve installed DCC on his layout. In this Power Point presentation Steve discusses lessons learned over the years to include photos of DCC in use on his Northern Pacific and other layouts. A practicing Beaumont Lawyer, Steve has been a model railroader since his first Lionel set. He authored two DCC related articles for Model Railroader Magazine and is well known for his numerous clinics on the subject.
IMPROVE YOUR SOLDERING SKILLS (HANDS-ON) -- H. HAROLD BRYANT
Hours: 2 TO 3, Extra Fare: $25, Participants: 25 max, Presentations: one- Thu 9:30am A hands-on clinic on basic soldering techniques. Harold’s clinic is the perfect way to prepare for the DCC Decoder installation clinic that will follow this clinic on Thursday. Learn soldering skills including “tinning” a new iron, use of flux, stripping wire, tinning solid and stranded core wire, use of heat sinks and heat shrink tubing, desoldering, safety and more. The $25 fee will include a new 30-watt soldering iron with stand and sponge, flux, heat sink, soldering tool, heat shrink, solder, desoldering wick and a written guide—all the tools are yours to keep. See Harold’s Bio under his clinic , Traveling by Train—Getting There Is Half The Fun.
DCC DECODER INSTALLATION, (HANDS ON) - STEVE BARKLEY & GEORGE BOHN
Hours: 4, Extra Fare: $none, Participants: 25 max, Presentations: one- Thu 1:00pm Steve and George teach how to install and program a decoder in your own locomotive. It is a hands on clinic and participants must bring their own locomotive and a decoder to install. Installation will include programming the decoder so bring the literature that comes with your decoder. If you don't have it, we'll show you how you can find and print manuals and instructions on the Internet. Please bring any small tools that you might need but if you don't have them , We will provide DCC systems, soldering gear, test tracks, and an assortment of tools that you can use to install and program your own decoder in your own engine. We'll also have computers on hand. For those who do not know how to solder, there is a soldering clinic in the morning that gives you both the skills and tools. REMEMBER, you must bring a loco, a decoder, and the manuals that came with your decoder…everything else will be loaned to you!
PHOENIX SOUND, NOT JUST FOR G-SCALE ANYMORE - BARRY BOGS, MMR
Clinic will cover the different sound boards they offer and their installation and programming taught by the Master Model Railroader, Barry Bogs who is nationally known for his scratch built G-Scale locomotives and equipment.
DCC DECODER PROGRAMING USING JMRI, (HANDS ON) - CARLTON BROWN
Learn how to turn your computer into a powerful DCC programming tool capable of accessing all those pesky DCC decoder variables. Carlton Brown, owner Ligar Technologies, San Antonio's/internet's store for the newest in DCC technology will show how to program your DCC decoders using free JMRI software downloaded from the internet.
LAYOUT CONSTRUCTION CLNICS:
THE "SKY'S THE LIMIT" EASY BACKDROPS - MILES HALE & JOHN LOWRANCE
After many years, the LSR finally has Miles Hale and John Lowrance together again to present the original "Sky's The Limit" clinic on constructing and decorating backdrops without artistic talent by using spray stencils for painting clouds, mountains and cities. John and Miles cover construction of a corner-less cyclorama backdrop, and backdrop 101 tips, followed by a live demonstration of using spray stencils and simple brush techniques, use of false fronts, fences and other objects to enhance backdrop realism with minimum use of layout space. See the original presentation of what has become one of the backdrop "standards".
MODELING IN THE COMPUTER AGE – DUANE RICHARDSON, MMR
Computers…there not just for generating switch lists. Learn how to use your PC to research your next project. Everything from layout planning, researching your prototype to actually creating parts of your models can be done on a computer. From simple signs to complete structures, backdrops or just getting the location of a siding in the correct spot. The PC is a powerful tool for your modeling workbench and Master Model Railroader Duane Richardson will help you get started.
SCENERY / STRUCTURES CLINICS:
CLUTTER - CHARLES R. (CHUCK) LIND, MMR
Details do make the difference! Chuck shows how go over the details that will bring your layout to life. Chuck's legendary lumber and short line modeling have "cluttered" his layout with contest award winning models and scenes!
BUILDING SCENERY FROM FOAM BOARD - JERRY HOVERSON, MMR
Jerry shows how to use foam to construct the underlayment of mountains and most all scenic features of a layout. Ever wondered how to get from a "4'x8' sheet of foam board" to a completed piece of scenery? Master Model Railroader and last year's LSR Convention chairman, Jerry Hoverson, will show step-by-step how to turn blank foam board into completed scenes
MODULAR STRUCTURES - JOHN LOWRANCE, MMR
John shows how to design and build custom structures from modular structure parts by Walthers, Woodland Scenics and others to plan and quickly build odd shape or custom size structures and backdrop buildings. In the process, it provides tips on construction of any styrene structure, painting, and modification of modular parts to achieve true custom structures that become the signature of your railroad." John is the NMRA Education Department Manager and is well known for numerous articles in the model railroad press and as guest host on the DIY networks, Workin' on the Railroad series.
BOARD-BY-BOARD CONSTRUCTION "OFFICE", (HANDS ON) -- AL BOOS, MMR
Hours: 4 , Extra Fare: $30, Participants: 25 maximum, Presentations: One Master Model Railroader and kit manufacturer, Al Boos guides participants in building an HO Track Side Office using board by board construction skills. $30 covers the cost of the materials for models that will be taken home by participants. The project uses pre-weathered Mt. albert basswood, Grandt Line windows/doors and “glue to” templates. The simplified techniques allow you to decide on your own window and door placement in the 14’ x 24’ structure. All of the necessary “loaner” tools are provided.
MODELING SANTA FE AND OTHER SIX LEG TRESTLES - MIKE BARRETT
Mike shows techniques for modeling AT&SF and other “six leg” trestles. Prototype design documentation and photographs are presented along with techniques for modeling round or square legs, pile or frame bents, and open or ballasted decks. Mike covers easy trestle construction techniques using his Black Bear Construction Company’s “Jig” and “Trestle Buddy.” Mike models a specific Santa Fe prototype near Lubbock but trestle fans will appreciate Mike’s research photos of other, similar trestles.
ROCK CASTING "THE WET WAY" & OTHER NEAT STUFF - CHUCK ELLIS
Chuck will show you some of the basics of using the “wet” method for rock castings, along with demos on clouds, how to make river banks, and improve the looks of commercial fir trees as he used in constructing his spectacular Great Northwestern and pacific Railway. Chucks layout has been featured in Model Railroader Magazine and other printed and video productions.
PROTOTYPE CLINICS:
SAN ANTONIO RAILROAD HISTORY - HUGH HEMPHILL
The Director of the Texas Transportation Museum and author of "The Railroads of San Antonio and South Texas" looks at the 10 railroads that served San Antonio -a unique opportunity for the prototype modeler to meet and discuss Hugh's book and research that have made him "The" expert on our local prototypes.
TRAVELING BY TRAIN-GETTING THERE IS HALF THE FUN -- H. HAROLD BRYANT
Harold and Judy Bryant show Americas greatest form of alternative travel-AMTRAK. Ever wonder about taking a trip by train or want to learn how to better model AMTRAK operations? The Bryant's have conducted these workshops on behalf of public libraries and with the support of AMTRAK. They will cover routes, schedules, on-board facilities, car accommodations, meal services, making reservations, purchasing tickets, discounts, safety and much more. Attendees to this 1 ½ hour extended presentation will receive a current national AMTRAK schedule, trip planner, and other literature along with a chance at some special clinic door prizes provided by AMTRAK. Mr. Bryant's involvement with model railroading began during Christmas, 1946, with his first American Flyer train set. Railroading was also in his family, having a grandfather who served for more than 20 years in joint service on nine railroads in Texas, retiring from Southern Pacific in the 1940's. In the late 1950's Harold's interest turned toward HO with the release of the new and highly detailed plastic structures by Revell and improved rolling stock kits of various manufactures. As years progressed he has focused his interest and collecting toward Southern Pacific, modeling steam operations and very early diesels. This also includes fruit and vegetable handling (reefers, icing docks, and sheds), livestock transport and processing (stock cars and reefers), branch line mining (ore cars and light industry), and passenger service (SP name trains). His collection spans not only a specific time era, but also a manufacturing era as well--Can you say "Hi-F" drive? He is a past president of the San Antonio Model Railroad Association (SAMRA) and is retired following a career with the U. S, Department of Agriculture. He and his wife Judy have two grown sons, John and William, both serving in the U. S. Army. Harold has taught the Soldering Clinic at past LSR conventions which has always been a popular hands-on program for all who have attended. This year he and Judy are also providing a special presentation of "Traveling by Train--Getting There is Half the Fun!" This is sure to be popular with all attendees (especially couples) as the Bryants provide you with everything you need to know about riding AMTRAK.
"OPERATING" CLINICS:
SIMPLE TRAIN DISPATCHING, TRAIN WARRANT CONTROL- MARK SCHROEDER
Track Warrant control (TWC) is the current way to dispatch trains on light to medium density “Class 1” Railroad lines and many regional & short lines as well. Mark’s clinic will cover using TWC on a model railroad. Mark will use the SAMRA club layout, the San Antonio and Northern as an example.