Clinics are a key part of any convention. We have classrooms reserved within the campus. Our hope at the moment is to have between 9 and 15 clinics on a variety of topics. Plan is to have clinics run on Saturday, starting in the morning and run through the day.
Clinics will be scheduled from 8:30 to 12:30 on Saturday, May 23rd unless otherwise noted and will take place at the Mohawk Campus.
Friday Night clinics will be held at the residence where we hold registration and meet’n’greet.
If you are interested in presenting (and claiming points for an Achievement Award), contact Ron Johnson at
Email: rljohnson@primus.caor contact Ron by phone at 905-547-4135.
Watch for more details.
Clinics Confirmed (more to follow)
Building Little Canada – Dan Notley
Dan says he has traded his hobby for his profession.
The Little Canada project is building detailed models of the major buildings in Toronto, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, and Quebec City and will have the whole landscape on view in a new facility in Toronto’s Yonge-Dundas Square this summer. Looking for a scale model of the CN tower? Rogers Centre, Scotia Bank Centre, Union Station, Houses of Parliament, Chateau Laurier, operating expressways and commuter trains, NIAGARA FALLS!
Dan will try to give us some scope of this project plus some modelling tips on a really large scale. Try looking at their website, Little Canada.
Rebuilding a Layout at Braden Building – Tony / Dundas Valley
Description to Follow
Welcome to Hamilton – Ron Johnson and/or Hamilton Tourism
Besides its extensive railroad connections, Hamilton has much to offer to those whose interests are not 100% trains.
This presentation will provide some guidance to those who would like to explore these many opportunities, including our collection of over 30 waterfalls, city parks, historical buildings, art galleries, shopping ranging from major malls to neighborhood streets, and a variety of restaurants.
A goody bag of maps, handy hints, and coupons will be on the offer.
A Train Lover’s Guide to Germany – Mike Walton
Mike spent five years in Germany and has gained a detailed knowledge of both museum and regular trains. The clinic is scheduled for Friday night.
A Simple Scratch Building Project – William Sharpe
Have you ever been presented with a situation where a desired structure, piece of rolling stock, or scenery item is not commercially available to meet your requirements?
That happens to me quite often and it happened again at the HOMES club. We required a piece of non operating non revenue equipment to tell a story as scenery at an interlocking section of track. What was scratch built to fill the requirement was a NS&T bonding car.
While perhaps not your present requirement, the methods and materials used can be applied successfully to any scratch building projects that you have in mind. Follow along in pictures as the project develops to a successful conclusion that resulted in this car now taking its’ small place alongside other stellar models on the HOMES club model railway.
Bill’s work will be on display at the HOMES Club on Sunday.
Model Locomotive Maintenance and Repair – Roger Chrysler
As one of the repair technicians for the largest model train stores in Canada, I see a lot of examples of simple repairs that can be done easily by the owner. Simple cleaning and light lubrication would save a labour charge. Sometimes, damage has occurred from misuse or knocking the model to the floor.
Which model locos are worth repairing? How can you find parts that are broken, worn or missing? What type of easy repairs can you do yourself?
This Power Point clinic focusses on commercial brand models common to the North American market and follows simple troubleshooting steps to diagnose and correct some of the common problems.
Modelling Track Right of Way – Paul Hurly
Description to Follow
Arten Gil Viaduct – Mike Walton
The prototype stretches across the Yorkshire Moors on the famed Carlyle-Settle line. Mike’s casting techniques will make any stone viaduct easier and more accurate.
Small Layout in Small Spaces – Gary Courtemanche
Like many of us, Gary faced fitting his ‘Blood, Sweat and Tears‘ into a much smaller pace. His highly detailed shelf layout is fitted into a remarkably small space on neat cabinetry, proving even with limitation, model railroading can be a fulfilling hobby.
Gary’s layout will be open for tours on Saturday afternoon.
DCC Sound Decoder Installation Updating – Marty Gold
Description to Follow
Stelco Railway – Ray Hoadley
Ray’s historical research into the Stelco works is truly outstanding. This presentation will highlight the locomotive fleet.
Signalling Basics and Block Detection – Calvin Henry-Cotnam
It will cover the basics of railway signalling that include:
- why signalling is needed on the prototype
- the different types of signals and where they are typically located
- different methods of block detection for model railroads
- various ways of implementing signalling on a model railroad
Bayview Junction Model and Prototype – Dave Patterson MMR
Besides being the icon for this convention, Bayview Tower in its time kept the complex trackage network flowing smoothly.
Dave gives the operations, historical setting and modelling aspects of this critical tower.
Dave’s layout will be open for tours on Sunday afternoon.
Intermodal – Steve Tuff
Description to Follow
Steve’s layout will be open for tours on Saturday afternoon.
A Talk with Rapido Trains – Dan Garcia
A presentation and frank discussion with Rapido Trains regarding the processes and steps involved with recreating accurate scale prototype models for the mass market.
Rapido has an extensive line of locomotives, passenger and freight cars and other equipment, heavily leaning towards Canadian prototypes.
3D Printers – Scott Heiden
This new technology promises to revolutionize modelling. How does it work? Can I afford it? What equipment will I need? What can I do and what works better the old fashioned way? Scott promises to tell all