Adding a Yard to the Pennington Junction RR by Geoff Duncan

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This clinic will present the design and construction of a classification yard for the existing HO scale Pennington Junction Railroad. Topics of this multi-level layout expansion will describe the use of a space saving compound ladder yard design with car detection for automated uncoupling and coupling, the use of a wye for turning locomotives and trains in the yard and the construction of a helix to move trains between levels.

[download presentation]

History of the Uintah Rwy by John LePere

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On March 11, 2017, John LePere gave an enlightening presentation on the History of the Uintah Rwy, described as:

A small weird narrow gauge railroad in eastern Utah and Western Colorado called the Uintah RR.  It included 5 miles of 7.5 ℅ grade and some of the sharpest curves ever laid.  It also links Ute Indians, a manipulated Congress and remotely Henry Ford. It began with a mineral discovery shortly after the civil war and continued until just before WW II.

John's powerpoint is [available here.]

Railfanning Greenville County by Marv Havens

On March 15, 2014, Marv Havens gave us a photo and map tour of railroad history in and around Greenville.  He covered long ago abandoned 2 foot gauge tracks on Greenville’s east side to “river junction” near downtown to the newly completed “inland port” intermodal container facility in Greer.  We expect to see a surge in rail-fan activity around here as the spring weather arrives!

Automatic Coupling and Uncoupling by Geoff Duncan

On March 6, 2016, Geoff Duncan gave a clinic "Automatic Coupling and Uncoupling".

This clinic will explore the elements of automatic coupling and uncoupling on a computer controlled model railroad.  The principles described can be applied to all scales using popular automation software such as Train Controller © and JMRI.  Several examples of DCC operated HO coupler hardware will be discussed. The presenter will also describe in detail the techniques and procedures used to apply automation to setting out and picking up cars during mainline and industry operations on his Pennington Junction layout.

Using the Raspberry Pi for Model Railroad Wireless Control by Mike Jensen

On March 6, 2016, Mike Jensen gave the clinic "Using the Raspberry Pi for Model Railroad Wireless Control".

This clinic will describe the popular stand-alone linux-based Raspberry Pi microcomputer.  You will learn how to use this clever yet inexpensive device to send wireless commands from your Android or iPhone to your locos and layout.  This works for both NCE and Digitrax with various interface options. The clinic will cover purchase options, cost, configuration, installation and operation  No programming involved and no computer required.