All clinics will be held in adjoining class rooms on the same building level so that moving between clinics will be easy. The clinics are grouped into three areas of interest, Models and Modelling, DCC and Signalling, and Prototype Railways. Confirmed clinics include the following:
Models and Modelling:
- Bill Bradford: Steam engine conversion and building HO locomotives.
This clinic will consist of a presentation showing how an off the shelf plastic or white metal reasonably priced steam engine can be converted into a close representation of a prototype locomotive.The topics to be discussed will be: #1 Research using knowledge, study materials, files, purchase of the right model. #2 Parts needed. #3 Tools needed. #4 Work area. #5 The actual conversion steps used (soldering, riveting, gluing etc.). #6 Painting. #8 Decals. - Christopher Creighton: Building layout modules.
In this workshop, we will explore the world of small, narrow gauge exhibition layouts. While the subjects of the discussion are Gn15 (G scale, 15 inch gauge) layouts, the concepts and practices may be applied to any scale and gauge. Topics covered include concept, design, base construction, track, scenery, detailing and finishing. - David King: Digital photography of layouts and models.
If you are looking to improve the quality of model layout images or images of locomotives, rolling stock or buildings using your digital camera here is the clinic for you. I will show you how to create great images without needing to spend huge amounts of money on professional cameras or studio lighting equipment. It doesn't matter if you are using a point and shoot camera or one of the many digital SLR cameras that are on the market. With the basic techniques and minimal equipment you can create images that are pleasant for you and others to view on the internet, framed for display or usable in one of the many trade magazines. - Andrew Malette: Building brass locomotives.
This is a clinic to help modellers overcome their reluctance to try this medium for model building. Brass models have a mystique about them in model railroad circles. They are also considered to be the crème a la crème. I will be putting together the boiler for an HO Scale CNR K-3 Pacific from an M.L.W.Services kit. There is really no mystery to brass models and brass building. It is hoped that once a modeller understands the techniques offered by this clinic, he or she can better decide whether to enter into this realm of modelling. Handouts will be provided. - Zen Pozniak: Converting Intermountain's 60ft., 4550 cu.ft. cylindrical covered hoppers to 54 ft., 3880 cu.ft. covered hoppers.
Before the introduction of the Canadian 60 ft., 4550cu ft cylindrical covered hoppers for the Canadian grain market in 1984, there were hundreds of 54 ft., 3600 cu ft to 3880 cu ft. cylindrical covered hoppers operating throughout North America. CPR, CNR, Procor Industries, leasing and private shippers operated these 54 ft cylindrical hoppers, carrying various commodities.
Model Power Models was the first to produce a model of a 4550 cu. ft. cylindrical hopper with Intermountain Railway Company after, with a more prototypical model. Their model represented a generic version between the three companies that built the 4550 cu.ft. cylindrical hopper, National Steel Company, Hawker Sidney and Marine Industries. The clinic presentation will show how to convert an Intermountain HO 4500 cu.ft. cylindrical hopper to a 3880 cu.ft. car. Each kit bashing step will be shown in various stages of conversion, in Power Point and actual model assemble stage. As the author will be converting between 20 to 30 units, the models will have a good representation of the 3880 cu.ft., with different reporting marks.
- Ralph Renzetti: Weathering Rail Cars.
“Weathering Rail Cars” is a process that takes Mother Nature quite a while to perfect. What I do is freeze a moment in time by trying to duplicate what Mother Nature has so eloquently done to the real rail cars, using prototype photos of her work. Because of the chemicals and/or paints that cannot be used safely in a clinic environment, some of the demonstration will be live and some will be in video format.
- Jay Rotsch: Using molds and castings.
A demonstration for resin casting of detail parts for use on model railroads, model aircraft, etc. The demo will cover the materials required and the actual casting techniques.
Resin Casting Materials: Urethane Casting Resins, Silicone Mould Materials, Mould Wall Materials (Styrene, Modeling Clay, etc.), Release Agents, etc.
Mouldmaking Process: Preparation of Masters, Pouring one-part and two-part moulds.
Casting Process: Preparation of moulds, casting process.
The demonstration will cover all of these processes, although in somewhat general terms. Detailed questions can be answered separately, after the demonstration. - Mike Salfi: Modelling Accurate HO Scale CPR and CNR Passenger Cars.
Today, those interested in modelling accurate Canadian Pacific and Canadian National passenger cars have quite a few very good choices. Some require very little additional work other than to take them out of their packaging and place them on the layout while others require varying amounts of work. For those modelling the 1950’s, this is especially welcome as that was an era when passenger operations were equal to freight operations. In this clinic I will review the available choices as identified below, provide hints with respect to each of the choices, and discuss some limitations of these choices.
1. Athabasca Scale Models lightweight ‘brass sides’ and kit passenger cars
2. BGR Group heavyweight and lightweight passenger cars
3. Kit bashing passenger cars
4. Rapido Trains ‘Ready to Run’ lightweight Super Continental passenger cars
5. Van Hobbies brass passenger cars
6. Walthers passenger cars - Jason Shron: An Inside Look at Rapido Trains and the model railroad industry.
Rapido Trains Inc. is Canada's largest manufacturer of Canadian prototypemodels. But it only got started a few years ago by art history PhD studentand model railroader, Jason Shron. Shron gives a brief history of thecompany and explains all that is involved in bringing a Canadian prototypemodel to market. He also gives an overview of some of the challenges facing the model railroad industry today and what we can expect to see in the future. - Joel Waterman: Battery power radio control (for O and larger gauges): Garden railways are different.
Joel Waterman will help you explore the advantages and disadvantages of battery powered, radio controlled locomotives. We will explore radio control systems, battery systems and chargers, the installation process with examples, tips, and pitfalls, and how to integrate accessories such as sound, lighting, roof fans, etc. Joel has been installing battery R/C systems in garden trains for more than 10 years. - Russ Milland: Simulating Railway Systems on your home computer and soon in full size diesel cab simulators.
This presentation will present the current state of the railway simulations software hobby and will feature the Toronto Rail Lands simulation and an exciting new development in full size diesel cab simulators to become operational this year at the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre.
DCC and Signalling:
- David MacLean: The challenge of signals! The experiences of learning how to use JMRI (Java Model Railroad Interface) and then implementing it on a very large model railroad.
What to do when a legacy signal system using a very old computer fails? The Model Railroad Club of Toronto's O scale Central Ontario Rwy had a fully functional signal system in place since the early 90s but it had begun to falter. A new computer and new operating system was needed. Luckily the open source program Java Model Railroad Interface (JMRI) was found. This presentation will give an overview of a) what was done to integrate a new computer into a legacy signal system, b) how to use the basics of JMRI for programming any signal system, and c) how JMRI is now used for realistic traffic control on the busy Cental Ontario Railway. - Bill O'Shea: A new signal and block detection system.
This is a digital track occupancy detector however, it is not computerized so you do not have to run away screaming. The device can be used with DC or DCC and there is no need to cut the track into discrete blocks. Basically the detector counts the rolling stock which enters and then leaves a block. If the count entering the block equals the count leaving the block, then the block is clear; if not then the block remains occupied. Come and hear about the development and application of this device. - Leonard Stern: DCC sound installations and programming.
This clinic will demonstrate various techniques of installing sound in a variety of engines. Most engines today are DCC ready but older models are not. Older brass engines are not DCC ready and this clinic will include a full sound installation in this type. In addition a few other installations will be done and reviewed.
The 2nd part of the clinic will demonstrate the techniques of programming the sound modules to match the prototype as closely as possible. This will be done using various programmers (hardware and software) consistent with the sound decoder manufacturer. In addition there will be discussion on producing specific sounds to match a specific engine.
Prototype Railways:
- Bram Bailey: Brass Diesels, They’re not all Coffee Grinders.
The history of brass diesels, the evolution of detail levels, some brassbashing and decoder installation. Bram owns more than 200 brass diesels, about 65 painted with decoders installed running on his layout.He has been collecting them since the 1960’s and has done a lot of modifications and drive upgrades. He will show the conversion of an Overland CN RS10 into a DW&P RS11. He will also show you what models he considers good value and which ones to run away from. - Richard McQuade: Moving really large railway artifacts: 6213 and Mimico station.
In the early summer of 2009, CNR Northern 6213 moved from its home of 49 years at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto to the new Roundhouse Museum at the old CPR John St. roundhouse. Moving such a large and heavy object is a challenge in itself, but these difficulties were compounded by the fact that the move had to take place within Canada’s largest city. Not only did the move require special equipment, it necessitated the co-ordination of a number of city departments to ensure that thousands of people would not experience any disruption when the locomotive was moved through city streets. This is the story of that move, first told in the Bytown Railway Society’s magazine, Branchline and now brought to life by one of the authors of that story and witness to the move, Richard McQuade. He will elaborate on what happened using mostly his own photos of the move. - John Hinbest: Operating a streetcar.
You see the Toronto street cars pass by here but what is it like operating one? Where are they? How big are they? What do they run on? What problems do you have? All from a maintenance prospective. So no black art of scheduling or pesky riders. John Hinbest Carhouse operator #22940. - Ted Wickson: Toronto's street and subway transit systems: 1945-2010.
Ted Wickson will provide an illustrated overview of Toronto’s surface rail and rapid transit systems from World War II to modern times. Focus will be on the many changes to the rolling stock fleets. Today, the TTC operates 11 streetcar lines (189 route miles) and 4 rapid transit lines (42.5 miles). The surface fleet totals 250 cars and the rapid transit fleet 706 passenger cars and about 60 work cars. Since WWII, there have been retirements of iconic classes of rolling stock: Peter Witt car (1963), first generation subway cars (1990), and the signature “Red Rocket” PCC (1995). By 1957, Toronto boasted the world’s largest active PCC fleet (745 cars) and remained committed to retaining streetcars with new generation CLRVs and ALRVs entering service in 1979 and 1988. The first of 204 Bombardier-built low floor cars will join the fleet in 2011, with add-on orders assigned to eight new LRT routes envisioned under the “Transit City” master plan. Subway expansion continues with an extension of the Spadina Line to the City of Vaughan set to open in 2015. - Derek Boles: The Architecture of the Age of Rail.
Over 200 images will be used to explore the history of railway architecture in Toronto, from the magnificent Union Station to the lowly crossing shanty that was recently restored at the Toronto Railway Heritage Centre. This fast-paced presentation will also explore suburban passenger stations, express buildings, downtown ticket offices, and both the CNR Spadina and CPR John Street roundhouses. A brief overview will also be provided of the current redevelopment at Union Station and the building of the TRHC. - Bram Bailey: The Ontario Northland: History and operations.
Bram Bailey, the author of the Morning Sun book “Ontario Northland in Color” will discuss the railway’s history, operations, equipment and how it represents a very interesting railway to model. He has been researching and photographing the railway since the late 1960’s. His Ontario Central Railway is based on the practices and operations of the ONR. - Mitchell Cohen: The North Toronto station.
With the rapid growth of the city’s populace northward during the early 1910’s, the North Toronto Station was thought a better location than Union Station for servicing the city’s population, especially the affluent Rosedale community. The Toronto architectural firm of Darling and Pearson was hired by Canadian Pacific to design the station and construction began in May 1915, but plans were already under way for the construction of the “new” Union Station located in downtown Toronto. The North Toronto Station opened in June 1916 but closed in September, 1930. Since that time, the building was leased as a retail store and remarkably, many of the fine details remained intact until restoration began in September 2001. In quality and character, it is one of the most important railway stations built in North America in the first two decades of the 20th century. The History of the North Toronto Station is a remarkable 60 minute photographic journal of the building’s times past and its award winning restoration. Archival photographs detail the buildings distinct personality while current pictures honour its future. - John Newland: Canadian Pacific Domestic Containerization - The Fun Part.
The Canadian Pacific Railway was committed to innovation, particularly when it led to economy and improved customer service. CPR's piggyback service for domestic freight was introduced and grew through the 1950’s and 1960’s. The service was attractive to customers and the railway because factories and warehouses did not have to be located adjacent to railway lines and it doubled the productivity of railcars. At its peak, CPR was operating the largest fleet of semi trailers in Canada.
During the early 1970s CPR took over operation of the container terminals built by CP Express to provide inland transfer services for Canadian Pacific Steamship's new international container services. This network soon expanded to provide facilities for transfer and storage of containers in major cities across Canada and in the United States. The advantages of containers with their light weight, lack of complexity, ease of transfer and compactness led to a research and development program aimed to take advantage of the attributes of the international system to develop a streamlined system for domestic cargo transport. The results of this program were so positive that orders for railcars, containers, terminal facilities and lifting equipment were placed even before its completion. CP Rail’s Domestic Container System was launched. - Juris Zvidris: Around Toronto in black and white in the 1970s.
A teenage enthusiasm for trains and photography resulted in a flurry of picture taking at trackside near home and further afield. This show begins with 1968 in Toronto and a visit to Timmins; 1969 in suburban Toronto and a visit to Dryden; 1970 Toronto and vicinity including Turbo, Flying Scotsman, West Toronto action, Kitchener, and some area stations and bridges; the finale is in 1971 with a visit to Calgary and Banff. It is a nostalgic look at transition to CP Multimark, introduction of 2nd generation diesels, and the fading away of stations and switching operations. The black and white slides were created by re-photographing negative film in the days before home scanners. (Some photos were published in Trainscape and also by Toronto & York Division of CRHA.)