| CLINIC: Steam Locomotive Valve Gear | ||
| DAY: Friday | TIME: 9:30–10:30am |
ROOM: Berwyn |
| DESCRIPTION: To most modelers and devotees of steam locomotives, the workings of the valve gear are a mystery. The clinic provides an understanding of the mechanics and mathematics involved in transforming the power of the boiler’s steam into mechanical motion. The clinic also focuses on the historical origins, evolutionary advancements, and spotting features of the different types of valve gear. It includes a key discussion of engineering and design terms most modelers would have no understanding of when looking at a builder’s specifications and schematics of a locomotive. |
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| CLINIC: Steam Locomotive Appliances | ||
| DAY: Friday | TIME: 11:00am–12:00pm |
ROOM: Berwyn |
| DESCRIPTION: Okay, you just bought your first steam locomotive for your layout. There are all kinds of bumps and pipes on the boiler, but do you have any idea as to what they accomplished? This clinic is designed to inform the modeler as to their identification, purpose, historical advancements, and improvements to locomotive thermal efficiency and safety. All in the interest of avoiding embarrassing mistakes, making better/more accurate models, and encouraging scratch-building and kit bashing. |
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| CLINIC: Passenger Train Head End Traffic | ||
| DAY: Friday | TIME: 1:30–2:30pm |
ROOM: Berwyn |
| DESCRIPTION: Railroads exist to move raw materials, passengers, and cargo with an emphasis of speed and efficiency. The railroads had a long, close association with the US Postal Service and other private shippers of high value items. Most modelers know there was such a thing as a Railway Post Office, but have no further idea as to how they were designed and operated. And they were not the only type of railroad equipment for high-dollar items being transported. Modeler’s pride themselves on details of structures, cars and scenery, but fall short in understanding real-world railroad operations. This clinic is designed to improve that knowledge. |
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About the Clinician... John Sokash has been a lifelong model railroader and train watcher, having grown up in anthracite coal country next to the Wilkes Barre Connecting Railroad which was co-owned by the Delaware & Hudson and the Pennsylvania. Having a scientific, mechanical, and educational background, plus being an amateur railroad historian, he has presented numerous clinics for MER regional conventions and his own CPD13 group. He was held CPD offices of superintendent and assistant superintendent. He is also been a 25-year member of the National Railway Historical Society. |