Be sure to check out a clinic while you're at the Train Show. These feature introductions to model railroading topics and how-to instruction for various skills. The clinics area is on the East end of the Palmer Events Center Expo Hall (look for the black curtains).

Schedule:

Time	Presenter	Topic
Saturday August 23
11:00 am	Jack Merkel, MMR	Operating Session Basics - A Beginner's Guide to Having Fun
12:00 noon	Don Winn, MMR	Kitbashing - Thinking Outside the Walthers Box
1:00 pm	Speed Muller	Introduction to Model Railroad Electronics
2:00 pm	John Larson	Introduction to Model Railroading
3:00 pm	Mark Sykes	LEGO Trains and the Texas Brick Railroad
4:00 pm	David Nicastro	Topic to be announced
Sunday August 24
11:00 am	Speed Muller	Advanced Model Railroad Electronics: Control Everything, Inexpensively!
12:00 noon	John Buckley	Automation For Your Models
1:00 pm	Mark Sykes	LEGO Trains and the Texas Brick Railroad
2:00 pm	John Larson	Introduction to Model Railroading

Descriptions:

• Operating Session Basics - A Beginner's Guide to Having Fun - Jack Merkel, MMR
  This clinic will introduce you to operations in model railroading, which adds fun to the hobby by simulating prototypical train movements and jobs. We'll discuss railroad freight car switching and train operation with a dispatcher. Come learn about operations. You'll be better prepared to participate in operating sessions on other modelers layouts, and on your own layout you'll be ready to give your trains a reason to run.
• Kitbashing - Thinking Outside the Walthers Box - Don Winn, MMR
  You need dozens, perhaps hundreds, of structures for your home or club layout. There's not enough time to scratchbuild them all, but building a kit to the instructions leaves you with a layout that looks more like a Walthers sales display and less like the unique railroad you are trying to present. Also, many of the spaces you have on your railroad are oddly shaped where a rectangular building won't fit. We'll discuss tips and tricks to help you build structures that fit your layout and will hopefully inspire you to customize your buildings to tell your railroad's story.
• Introduction to Model Railroad Electronics - Speed Muller
  You want to run trains, turn the headlight on, move the turnout points and detect where the train is! So what is a resistor and a capacitor and how does DC and DCC get you there? Come and learn the basics.
• LEGO Trains and the Texas Brick Railroad - Mark Sykes
  Where to begin with LEGO trains...kits, original designs, scenicking. Do you have an audience, or is this for your own pleasure? Will you build alone, or with friends and kids? There are no wrong answers! We will also discuss our club, the Texas Brick Railroad, and tour the layout.
• Advanced Model Railroad Electronics - Speed Muller
  Need to move turnout points, semaphores, gates or barn doors? Come and learn everything you need to know about inexpensive servos and how to control them.
• More descriptions coming soon!