Carolina Southern Division 12 - Mid Eastern Region - NMRA

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What is the Railroad
Modeling University?

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. Some popular classes have been scheduled twice to accommodate demand, so make sure you don't inadvertently select a repeat class. 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).

The classes below are arranged by classroom. The first two digits are the classroom number. The last digit is the time slot during the day (i.e., Class #16-3 is in Classroom 16 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 going to the registration form at this link.

Classroom 14 Courses

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 14-1 In The Beginning: You might be testing the waters on how much you want to do with your trains, and this is the place to talk about model railroads, what you might need, and how to make your decisions on what to do next. Michele Chance
10:30 AM 14-2 Master Model Railroader and Beyond: How to become a Master Model Railroader (MMR), and how to let the 2020 convention move you right along.  Opportunities for Regional level points abound, think again and make the next two years bring you closer.  Why I honor those who hold the MMR, and why I humbly pursue my place in the list. Michele Chance
1:00 PM 14-3 Track & Wheels: Two of the most common and frustrating problems with model railroading are track and wheels. Doug addresses common problems with track, wheels, and couplers, while demonstrating to attendees how to use a NMRA Standards Gauge to identify the cause of such problems. Attendees are invited to bring their own NMRA Standards Gauge. Doug Algire
2:30 PM 14-4 Documenting Your Railroad: Learn how to document your railroad for posterity and insurance purposes. The class covers using photos, spreadsheets, and other means to document your model railroad. Doug Algire

Classroom 16 Courses

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 16-1 Scratchbuilding: Do you have an itch to scratch? My approach to scratch building (or, building structures from plans and pictures using basic materials). Seth Gartner
10:30 AM 16-2 Improving the Appearance and Performace of an HO Rail Car: This class covers: 1)painting, 2) adding proper amount of weights, 3) adding and adjusting proper couplers, 4) applying "Dull-Cote", weathering, and possibly rust or graffiti.
For further detailing, adding separate ladders, grabirons, etc, to replace molded-on items. For passenger cars, adding diaphragms, seats, dining tables, lighting, and passengers. These steps will be demonstrated during the class and discussed in the handout.
Although aimed at newer modelers, more experienced modelers can also learn and offer their own hints.
Bob Halsey
1:00 PM 16-3 Scratchbuilding: This is a repeat of class 16-1 above. Do you have an itch to scratch? My approach to scratch building (or, building structures from plans and pictures using basic materials). Seth Gartner
2:30 PM 16-4 OPEN  

Classroom 17 Courses

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 17-1 Lighting the Layout: Although most of us already have lighting for our layout area, we often have difficulty uncoupling or rerailing cars without using a flashlight or squinting. Neal will show how to make a simple, Inexpensive lighting system that is easy to install and will greatly improve the light level for your operations. Neal Anderson
10:30 AM 17-2 OPEN  
1:00 PM 17-3 Laying and Ballasting Track: Neal will demonstrate a way to lay ballast down on a section of track three feet long, glued and ballasted in ten to fifteen minutes. Neal Anderson
2:30 PM 17-4 Advanced Ballasting: How to ballast complex track such as right and left hand switches, crossings, double slip switches, gauntlets, and more. Learn how to properly ballast with fouling switch points and produce great looking trackwork. NOTE: This is an addition as of 1/20/2018. Neal Anderson

Classroom 18 Courses

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 18-1 OPEN  
10:30 AM 18-2 How to Solder Like a Pro: How to solder circuit boards, rail or make drop feeders.  Alan learned to solder while working on the Apollo project at NASA in Florida. The right tools, and skills can save hours of troubleshooting. Please bring a soldering iron (15 to 40 watt) and an extension cord. Also (optional), if you have any or all of the following supplies bring them, too: solder, small sponge, needle nose pliers, wire stripper, a small section of track with rail joiners, a used tooth brush, alcohol, liquid or paste resin, to name a few. Alan Burdick 
1:00 PM 18-3 Reversing Loops: Learn the ins and outs of using reversing loops. It includes design, wiring, and using DCC components to manage the reversing loop. Roy Becker
2:30 PM 18-4 OPEN  

Classroom 19 Courses

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 19-1

LED Lighting: Joe returns to RMU with his always popular class on LED lighting.  Attendees will be introduced to LED basics, size, placement and using LEDs for turnout indication. He has expanded class to include installations and uses.

Joe Burden
10:30 AM 19-2 Scenery Tips/Techniques: A potpourri of methods and secrets to build various types of scenery. Ed Gumphrey
1:00 PM 19-3 OPEN  
2:30 PM 19-4 Sceniking a Farm: This presentation will cover a number of techniques for scenicking a farm module or diorama.  We will make hay bales from twine; build a cornfield; create various vegetable patches; show several techniques for modeling plowed fields; and discuss natural ways to group cows and other livestock. Nancy Campbell

Classroom 20 Activity

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM 20-1

Light, Sound & Motion Animation for Model Railroads: Lights and sounds have become commonplace in our model locomotives. But this clinic will explore some ways to add light, sound and motion to your layout. Various projects will be described and demonstrated, some using commercial products, others with electronic circuit details for construction provided. The clinic will cover animation of semaphore signals and crossing gates. The clinic will make    ample use of actual implemented projects on Fred’s HO Traction modules.

Fred Miller, MMR
10:30 AM 20-2 Model Railroading in a Limited Space: Many model railroaders hesitate in building a layout because of limited space. When Fred moved to a high-rise condo he was faced with either “arm-chair” model railroading, or continuing his life-long hobby of building a model railroads. This story is about how he designed and constructed a “shelf layout” to meet that desire for building an operating railroad. Fred Miller, MMR
1:00 PM 20-3 Multi-function Animation Decoder: This clinic is about a custom designed inexpensive decoder which was designed to operate lights, sounds and motion for animating buildings on a layout. The decoder operates from DCC track power and accepts DCC commands to initiate the animations. The construction and details of the decoder will be presented along with several animated demonstration buildings operated from both a LocoNet time-of-day scheduler and a standard throttle.

Fred Miller, MMR

2:30 PM 20-4 Tips and Tricks from a Master Model Railroader: Mr. Parker will demonstrate and discuss Tips & Tricks he has learned over his 50 plus years of model railroading.  Everything from weathering to scratch building will be discussed.

Jack Parker, MMR

Multi-Purpose Room #1 (MPR1) Activity

TIME Class # Description Instructor
All Day MPR1-1 NMRA Achievement Program and Judging: The first class period is where you will learn about the NMRA Achievement Program and how you can earn the designation of Master Model Railroader. If you have a model(s) you like to be judged for the Achievement Program you must sign up for this class. Please bring your models and appropriate paperwork. This class is taught by Dave Chance who is the Achievement Program Chairman for the NMRA Mid-East Region (MER). Dave Chance

Multi-Purpose Room #2 (MPR2) Activity

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM MPR2-1 Modular/Sectional Layout Construction: Gil will explain how to build your layout in smaller pieces to enhance your enjoyment, even if you are not severely space limited. It can also make your layout easier to move should you have to relocated. Gil Brauch, MMR
10:30 AM MPR2-2 Building and Wiring T-TRAK Modules: T-TRAK modules are used on table tops and can be as small as one foot square. They present an excellent introductory vehicle for model railroaders who want to build but do not have much space. The presenters will go through the steps in assembling and decorating N Scale T-TRAK modules. Larry Paffrath,
Alan Burdick
1:00 PM MPR2-3 Modular/Sectional Layout Construction: This is a repeat of class MPR2-1 above. Gil will explain how to build your layout in smaller pieces to enhance your enjoyment, even if you are not severely space limited. It can also make your layout easier to move should you have to relocated. Gil Brauch, MMR
2:30 PM MPR2-4 Building and Wiring T-TRAK Modules: This is a repeat of class MPR2-2 above. T-TRAK modules are used on table tops and can be as small as one foot square. They present an excellent introductory vehicle for model railroaders who want to build but do not have much space. The presenters will go through the steps in assembling and decorating N Scale T-TRAK modules. Larry Paffrath,
Alan Burdick

Multi-Purpose Room #3 (MPR3) Activity

TIME Class # Description Instructor
9 AM MPR3-1 Open Car Loads: This is a two-hour, Make-And-Take class. It covers coal hoppers, gondolas, and flat cars. The main focus is on coal loads for hoppers. Jack will also discuss how to make pulp wood loads, pipe loads, and others. There will be no special charge for materials, but THIS IS A MAKE-AND-TAKE CLASS AND IS LIMITED TO 15 PERSONS. PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING THEIR OWN OPEN HOPPER OR GONDOLA. Jack Monette, MMR
10:30 AM MPR3-2 Open Car Loads: This is the continuation of class MPR3-1 above. Jack Monette, MMR
1:00 PM MPR3-3 OPEN  
2:30 PM MPR3-4 OPEN  

This site is ©2002 through 2019 (inclusive) by the Carolina Southern Division. This page was last updated on Tuesday, January 29, 2019
 with your comments and suggestions.
Selected Rail Fonts created by Benn Coifman (www.RailFonts.com). Selected railroad heralds by Ken Houghton Rail Images (www.ribbonrail.com/art/).
Click here If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat® Description: C:\Users\Owner\Documents\Trains\CSD Website\Current Website\images\AcrobatLogo.gifso you can view our PDF documents.

This site is ©2002 through 2019 (inclusive) by the Carolina Southern Division. This page was last updated on Thursday, January 31, 2019
 with your comments and suggestions.
Selected Rail Fonts created by Benn Coifman (www.RailFonts.com). Selected railroad heralds by Ken Houghton Rail Images (www.ribbonrail.com/art/).
Click here If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat® Description: C:\Users\Owner\Documents\Trains\CSD Website\Current Website\images\AcrobatLogo.gifso you can view our PDF documents.

This site is ©2002 through 2019 (inclusive) by the Carolina Southern Division. This page was last updated on Thursday, January 31, 2019
 with your comments and suggestions.
Selected Rail Fonts created by Benn Coifman (www.RailFonts.com). Selected railroad heralds by Ken Houghton Rail Images (www.ribbonrail.com/art/).
Click here If you need to download a free copy of Acrobat® Description: C:\Users\Owner\Documents\Trains\CSD Website\Current Website\images\AcrobatLogo.gifso you can view our PDF documents.