In this presentation, you will learn how to use prototype information to design a track plan that maximizes operation. You will learn how to use railroad track charts, satellite images, and other readily available information in your design process. This fast-paced presentation features hundreds of photographs, charts, and diagrams.
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Ramon Rhodes
Ramon has been a model railroader for 61 years, starting off with the customary Lionel and Marx O-gauge train sets and transitioning to HO in 1969. He is the recipient of numerous awards and ribbons for his modeling skills, and delights in mentoring younger modelers.
His interests include prototype modeling and operations, as well as weathering rolling stock. He began as a Santa Fe modeler, but transitioned to BNSF in 2000. Currently, he is designing and working on a large basement layout featuring the current Norfolk Southern mainline between Birmingham, Alabama and Meridian, Mississippi.
He served two terms on the Santa Fe Railway Historical and Modeling Society’s board of directors and also with the East Coast Santa Fe Modelers. He’s traveled extensively across the country railfanning and has spoken at numerous events regarding railroad history.
Gerald Futej
Gerald–Futej – As the grandson of anthracite coal miners, I began model railroading in HO scale about 1954. Encouraged by construction articles in Model Railroader and restrained by a lack of discretionary disposable income, I gradually honed my scratch building skills. As a licensed professional engineer, I spent the last 30 years of my career as a consulting engineer, specializing in material handling systems for manufacturing facilities, and industrial accident investigations nationwide. Since 2005, I have researched, authored, and self published, six soft-cover monograph books documenting the history and development of various aspects of Cass, WV; its logging and lumber industry, its railroad, its locomotives, and its residents.
Every Twenty Years the Railroad Changes
Railroads have existed in North America since the 1820s. That is 200-years. We will review how the railroads evolved and developed in 20-year segments from 1820 through to the 2020s.
Scratch Building the City Point Engine House from Historic Photos
How do you model a prototype when no written documentation exists? This presentation covers the process used to scratch build the USMRR engine house at City Point, VA, using historic images. Subtopics include locating photographs, analyzing/interpreting said photographs, filling in “the blanks,” materials used, construction techniques & jigs, remodeling the model in light of newly uncovered information, and what I might do differently (and why).
Paul Hobbs
Paul–Hobbs has attended and helped at NMRA Conventions for many years. He enjoys railroad research, operations, and developing clinics on topics not previously covered. He has written many articles for the historical society of his favorite railroads.
Alex Belida, MMR
Alex Belida, a retired journalist, is editor/publisher of the Potomac Flyer, the Potomac Division’s bimonthly newsletter, and an active contributor to other model railroad publications, including the MER’s The Local. He has served on the board of directors of the Potomac Division. He became Master Model Railroader #685 in 2021 and added the Motive Power certificate in June 2023.
Making Drake’s Well
When I built two Densmore tank cars for my Master Builder – Cars certificate, I knew I needed a special place to display them. I didn’t want to put them on a shelf, and they weren’t really suited for my HO-scale logging and mining layout set in Nevada in the late 1890s.
So I decided to make a small diorama centered around a model of the original 1859 Drake’s Well near Titusville, Pennsylvania. While not historically accurate, the Densmores could be parked there, taking on loads of crude. This clinic outlines the steps I took and encourages modelers pressed for space to consider making dioramas.
So I decided to make a small diorama centered around a model of the original 1859 Drake’s Well near Titusville, Pennsylvania. While not historically accurate, the Densmores could be parked there, taking on loads of crude. This clinic outlines the steps I took and encourages modelers pressed for space to consider making dioramas.
