High quality clinics are one of the most popular features of the annual national narrow gauge conventions. Attendees are given the opportunity to learn firsthand from some of our hobby’s experts! If you are interested in improving your modeling skills, getting tips on improving your layout by learning more about scenery, layout wiring and control systems, improving upon you kit building and scratch-building skills or just learning more about railroad history, one of our clinics is sure to satisfy!
85 Clinics by 43 Clinicians
The 2026 National Narrow Gauge Convention planning committee is proud to bring you 85 outstanding clinics on prototype railroads, modeling and photography techniques presented by world-class clinicians. Clinics will be presented in five parallel tracks with most clinics being presented twice.
Call for clinicians/presenters
Are you one of those experts that are interested in sharing your knowledge, modeling skills and techniques? If so, we would really like to give you that opportunity!
For questions or additional information, please contact our clinic coordinator.
If you are interested, please fill out this clinician form:
Our Clinics
Listed in the table below is general information related to the clinics that will be presented at our convention. More detailed information on both the clinician and their clinic will be provided in both our WHOVA™ event application when our event goes live in early June and in our convention’s Timetable at convention time.
Clinic list updated 2026-04-13
| Clinic Name | Clinic Description |
| Advanced DCC Applications and Programming | This fairly technical presentation includes; An open discussion of current DCC decoders (Soundtraxx, ESU LokSound and TCS WOW) and programming them using JMRI, a brief discussion of motor technologies, BEMF, PWM, functions and sound. This is a question-and-answer clinic, not an installation demonstration. |
| Bring Your Classic Brass Shelf Queen to 21st Century Runnability | Identifying problems in brass locomotives and covering suggested repairs. Reviewing motor and gear choices and replacements. Tips on installing DCC in brass locomotives. |
| The Art of Scratch Building | This clinic discusses the skills required for scratch building, the raw materials used and the tools needed. A step-by-step build of a wooden structure complete with brick foundation and weathering is presented along with photos of many other projects. |
| The Kennebec Central Railroad | The Kennebec Central Railroad was the shortest of Maine’s 2-foot gauge railroads. At five miles in length, it ran from Randolph, Maine on the Kennebec river, to the National Home for Disabled Veterans at Togus, Maine. |
| Layout Upgrades | This clinic takes the attendees on a journey of improvement, changes and refinements made to a narrow gauge layout over many years. This is accompanied by a detailed explanation of the techniques used and many photographs to illustrate the results. |
| Logging Railroads in Minnesota | This clinic covers the history of the logging industry in Minnesota and the railroads that served it. Interesting facts and information about logging camps, saw mills and the people that worked in the industry are presented. |
| The Mina Subdivision of the Southern Pacific Railroad | This clinic covers the history of the Carson & Colorado narrow gauge railroad and a layout that covers a 75-mile segment of the railroad. Learn about the discovery of gold and silver near Tonopah, Nevada and how it set off the last major gold rush in the continental United States. |
| Modeling Scrap and Salvage – Ways to Junk Up Your Layout | Arranging collections of castoffs (from wrecked vehicles to battered metal implements) in stacks, piles, and rows can routinely be more entertaining than tedious. A variety of techniques-based examples presented in this clinic cover the use of plastic, metal, wood, and cardstock components to accent structure and rolling stock models with junk. |
| Modeling the Gilpin Tram in HOn30 | This clinic presents the clinician’s journey in researching the 2′ Gilpin Tram Railway and arriving at many prototype scenes that can be realistically modeled in a small space. A flexible modular layout design is covered which allows for swapping in and out scenes as desired. Scratch built rolling stock and kit-bashed locomotives based on commercial mechanisms are described. Taking operations to a new level using battery powered, radio controlled (DeadRail) locomotives is also discussed. |
| Narrow Gauge Rotary Snow Plows | The clinic presents the history and operation of the 19 narrow gauge rotary snow plows built in North America. The clinic includes multiple photos that show the different details as well as the development, changes and history of each plow. |
| On30 and On18… Happy Together! | This clinic delves into the integration of On18 into the world of On30 on your layout. Available On18 locomotives, critters and detailed rolling stock are shown along with a description of how they can be used to help tell the story on your layout. Industry, mining and logging all have the potential need to use a smaller sized rail system and the use of dual gauge trackage opens up many new options for using both gauges that also fit in well with today’s micro-layout craze. |
| Repowering Brass Steam Locomotives | An overview of how to repower and optimize the performance of classic brass steam locomotives; Including a look at those old Pittman motors, dried and cracked rubber tubing, zamac gearboxes, and more. |
| Restoration of D&RGW C-16 #223 | This clinic given by the director of the 223 Locomotive Foundation will bring you up-to-date on the foundation’s effort to restore one of only three remaining class C-16 locomotives and the only remaining C-16 locomotive built by the Grant Locomotive Works. |
| Rio Grande Southern Prototype Slide Show | With the use of 35mm slides from the Al Chione collection; Journey across ‘The Southern’ circa 1930s, 40s and early 50s. Soak in all of the colors and details not always easily seen in black and white photos. Participate in discussions and learn more about this railroad that experienced both boom and bust during its 60-year lifetime. |
| Funding Your Hobby – eBay Selling Tips | Focus on demonstrating how to use eBay to sell a model railroad collection with tips, tricks and best practices. |
| Scenery Tips and Techniques | Clinic will cover the basic principles in scenery design and application. Will provide many tips for creating realistic and effective scenery. |
| Batch Building Freight Cars | In depth clinic on building detailed rolling stock in batches Presentation will provide ideas and techniques for building a good looking fleet of freight cars quickly. |
| How to Use Foam in Your Scratch Building | The clinic will look at ways to use inexpensive and readily available insulation foam in your modeling. Techniques will be shared on how to create light weight scenery, brick and rock walls. |
Clinic Schedule
Wednesday Evening 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Thursday Morning 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Thursday Evening 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Friday Morning 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Friday Evening 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM, 9:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Saturday Morning 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM