RMU 2025 Class Offerings
Our class offerings, listed below, are grouped to help you identify the location of the class. Most courses are self-contained so that anyone can attend any course. However, note that because of facility capabilities, all classes are limited to 20 attendees except as noted below. Classes are one hour and 15 minutes long, with a 15 minute break between classes.
Just a reminder -- you do not have to be an NMRA member to attend. The event is open to the public and the cost is only $10 no matter how many classes you register for. Please add another $5 if you want to bring any family members (one $5 covers all additional family members).
The classes below are arranged by classroom.
The last digit is the time slot during the day and the middle two digits indicate the classroom number(i.e., Class #101-3 is in Classroom 1 during the 3rd time period - 1:00 pm). Use the table to select those courses you would like to attend. Make a note of the particular class numbers you have chosen before you go the RMU 2025 Registration page to sign up.
| CLASSROOM 1 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 101-1 | JMRI Decoder Pro: Getting started with Decoder Pro and learn how to program your DCC locomotives to behave as you would like them to and also create a locomotive roster at the same time. |
JOE SKORCH | |
| 10:30 AM | 101-2 |
JMRI Operations Pro: Learn how to set up an operating session and create manifests for your operators to add realistic switching to your layout. |
JOE SKORCH | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 101-3 | Lets install a DCC decoder: Learn how to install a DCC Decoder |
ROY BECKER | |
| 2:30 PM | 101-4 |
Speed Settings in a Decoder: Setting the CV's to adjustthe speed in your decoder installed locomotive |
ROY BECKER | |
| CLASSROOM 2 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 102-1 | Developing a New Scale Model- A Manufacturer's Perspective: What does it take to bring an all new model to the marketplace |
RYAN KUNKLE | |
| 10:30 AM | 102-2 | Basic Steps to Better Structures: Simple steps in painting, assembly and adding details that can take any structure to the next level. |
RYAN KUNKLE | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 102-3 | Painting Figures and Small Details: From Locomotive cabs to back-alley clutter, learn how to effectively paint and enhance small details for maximum impact. |
RYAN KUNKLE | |
| 2:30 PM | 102-4 | Rusting with Acrylics: Learn simple steps to create a rusted metal look hands on. |
RYAN KUNKLE | |
| CLASSROOM 3 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 103-1 | MODEL RAILROADING 101: An introduction into the basics of model railroading |
DAVE THRAMS | |
| 10:30 AM | 103-2 | NS Track Work Practices: A Norfolk Southern employee talks about his experiences working on the Norfolk Southern right of was in the Charlotte Division |
BRAD BOLING | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 103-3 |
Water is Easy: Adding a water feature to your layout is not as difficult as you would think. |
DAVID MYERS | |
| 2:30 PM | 103-4 | There is Fun in the Details: Adding points of interest to the layout beyond track and rolling stock |
DAVID MYERS | CLASSROOM 4: White Elephant Room |
| CLASSROOM 5: MODEL EVALUATION ROOM | ||||
| CLASSROOM 7 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 107-1 | Molds And Casting: An overview of making masters or reproductions of parts for hobby related items. The process of making these items in Resin or Plaster will be demonstrated. |
TY BROWN | |
| 10:30 AM | 107-2 |
Railroad Modeling in Short Pieces: Thinking about how to approach building a layout in sections or modules. |
GIL BRAUCH MMR | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 107-3 | Scenery For Model Railroads: An overview of developing scenery designed to get the modeler interested in working on their layout. |
ED SMITH MMR | |
| 2:30 PM | 107-4 | Making Trees for Beginners: A presentation on how to make pine trees for your layout. |
CHAD BARNETTE | |
| CLASSROOM 8 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 108-1 | Learning About Dead Rail: An introduction to the power on board concept and some applications |
ANDREW STITT | |
| 10:30 AM | 108-2 | Basic Decal Application, Pt1: A hands on clinic showing tips and tricks to apply decals to locomotives, freight cars, tractor trailers, and buildings on the layout. Freight car shells will be provided by the club. |
ALAN HARDEE | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 108-3 | Basic Decal Application, Pt2: The clinic resumes after lunch allowing the work from the morning session time to set. Pt1 attendance is required to attend this class, unless you just wish to observe and not partcipate in the hands on portion of this class. |
ALAN HARDEE | |
| 2:30 PM | 108-4 |
|
RICK BEAM | |
| CLASSROOM 9 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9:AM | 109-1 |
Light, Sound, Motion & Animation: This clinic will explore some ways to add light, sound and motion to your layout. The clinic will cover adding animation of semaphore signals and crossing gates on your layout. |
FRED MILLER MMR | |
| 10:30 | 109-2 |
Downsizing 2.0, Basement Layouts to a Retired Community Shelf Layout: Learn how the presenter designed and constructed shelf layouts to meet the desire to build an operating layout in a limited space. |
FRED MILLER MMR | |
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1:00 PM | 109-3 |
DCC Power Distribution: Learn how to properly wire your DCC layout using PSX Circuit Breakers. |
Tim Rumph |
|
| 2:30 PM | 109-4 |
How to get started in Z-Scale. Using the size advantage of Z-scale when designing a layout for limited space. |
JOHN DUINO | |
| CLASSROOM 10 | ||||
| TIME | CLASS # | DESCRIPTION T-TRAK DISPLAY | INSTRUCTOR | |
| 9 AM | 110-1 | |||
| 10:30 | 110-2 | |||
| LUNCH | Lunch is on your own | |||
| 1 PM | 110-3 | T-TRAK | ||
| 2:30 PM | 110-4 | |||
