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 24
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	David Nicastro	Schnabel Car - Special Move to Cherokee Station
2:00 pm	Speed Muller	Introduction to Model Railroad Electronics
3:00 pm	Philip Lewis	Tinplate Trackers - Layout Presentation and Behind the Scenes Tour
4:00 pm	Mark Sykes	LEGO Trains and the Texas Brick Railroad
Sunday August 25
11:00 am	Steve Jackobs	Smoke & Mirrors: Model Railroading in Small Spaces
12:00 noon	Speed Muller	Advanced Model Railroad Electronics
1:00 pm	Philip Lewis	Tinplate Trackers - Layout Presentation and Behind the Scenes Tour
1:00 pm	Patrick Tolbert	Modules: The Gateway to Model Railroading Will be held at the AustNtrak layout on the show floor.

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.
• Schnabel Car - Special Move to Cherokee Station - David Nicastro
  Learn about the largest freight car in the world and how it is moved across the railroads. This is the Schnabel Car, designed to carry very large equipment like transformers. It consists of 2 cranes with the load suspended between them. These cars have to move in special trains with escorts because of the weight, oversized load, and overhang going around curves.
• 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.
• Tinplate Trackers - Layout Presentation and Behind the Scenes Tour - Philip Lewis
  Learn more about the O Scale Tinplate Trackers model railroad and club.
• 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.
• Smoke & Mirrors: Model Railroading in Small Spaces - Steve Jackobs
  Big fun in model railroading doesn't necessarily need a big layout. The HO scale Austin & Taylor & Pacific benchwork occupies 5' x 11' in a spare bedroom and expands for operations with two sector plates. A real mirror, fake smoke, and a host of scenic tricks give the operator a rich visual experience. More tricks give a rich operating experience. Come see how these tricks come together and pick up some ideas that you can use to make any layout seem bigger and more interesting.
• 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 servos and how to control them.
• Modules: The Gateway to Model Railroading - Patrick Tolbert
  Get a guided tour of the AustNtrak and T-Trak layouts and learn about how modular railroading is a great way to get into Model Railroading.
  Note: This presentation will take place at the AustNtrak layout, not the clinics room.