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 2026-06-05
| Clinic Name | Clinician | Clinic Description |
| 3D Printing | Jeff Kraker | All facets of creating parts using 3D technology is presented. |
| 3D Printing & CNC | Robb Thomas | New “Desktop” machines are becoming available that put capabilities in the hands of individual modelers that were formerly reserved for commercial operations. Come listen as we discuss the state of the art 3D printing and the the effect of newly arrived CNC machines for the home market. |
| Advanced DCC Applications and Programming | Dennis Bartholow | 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. |
| Batch Building Freight Cars | Guy Cantwell | 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. |
| Beginning Genealogy (Non-Rail Presentation) | An overview of the best sources, how to research, and some pitfalls to avoid in order to make progress towards your genealogy goals. | |
| 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. | |
| Building From Scratch | Don Railton | The 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 and brick foundation plus weathering is included in the slides. The author presents slides of some of his past builds as well as those of other scratch builders from the U.S. and other parts of the world. |
| Building With Cardboard | Larry Alfred MMR® | Larry will discuss the many uses of all types of cardboard and paper in building many parts of your railroad. He will point out the various types of cardboard, their use for the main portions of structures, for add-ons, and for detail parts. The full range of cutting, forming, gluing, and finishing will be shown. If you haven’t included this medium in your model building, you should try it and this clinic will give you some ideas as to where to start. |
| Burke, Idaho. Mines, Town and 2 Railroads | Monte Pearson | This is not about a Narrow Gauge Railroad, but two Standard gauge RRs, Northern Pacific and Union Pacific (And Their Minions). That were combating to fit into a very narrow canyon – ~at its widest 300ft which also was occupied by a steep Mountain Stream (in locations 50-70 feet wide). The Mining town of Burke, ID developed about 6.5 miles up the canyon, the site of 15 plus mines, ore processing mills and yes 2 saw mills. |
| Using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) tool to design small layouts. | Computer Aided Design (CAD) tools can be intimidating. I tried most of them until I discovered AnyRail, which enabled me to ensure that my creative ideas would actually work in the space I had available. I’ll tell you about my journey with CAD – good and frustrating – and describe how I created a detailed design for my OO gauge layout (including the commercial benchwork) that is now under construction. | |
| The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic RR From a Docent’s Perspective. | Bruce Williams | Using 35 mm slides, this clinic will explore some of the history of C&TS’ predecessor, the Denver and Rio Grande Western, and recent operations of the C&TSRR. Equipment, buildings, facilities, and landmarks will be reviewed. Begun about 30 years ago by the Friends of the C&TS, the docent program has helped to interpret the railroad to passengers while enroute. We will examine what makes these historic 64 miles of narrow gauge railroad in Colorado and New Mexico so unique and memorable. |
| Dead Rail from N to G using Bluetooth | Duncan McRee | We will be presenting the latest examples of Dead Rail installations in locos of all sizes using Tam Valley Depot Battery Buddy, LiPo batteries and Bluetooth radios using the BlueRail app and running on IOS and Android phones. Many tips and tricks will be presented for easier installation in all gauges. |
| Designing For Aesthetics | The Art of Model Railroading Does Not Happen By Accident. The presenter shares his efforts, in a variety of scales, of using inspirational art and photography to guide the artistic and aesthetic expression of his layouts, with ideas and tools to consider when designing your own model railroad. | |
| Do It Yourself Tools & Workbench Hacks – Expanded Edition | Ron Guttman | The clinic will start with a quick review a traveling toolbox which I use for demonstrations at local train shows and several of the add-on accessories I made to the unit. This will be followed with several workbench hacks and model building aids including several storage and organization ideas. I’ll also cover a few layout building ideas for your consideration. |
| Elevate your Craftsman Kit or Scratch Building | Ken Karns | Motivational discussion on elevating your craftsman kit and structure modeling to the next level by award winning modeler Ken Karns (aka Dr. Grunge). We will dive into proven techniques, products, and methods developed over years of practical application, backed by contest winning results. At the forefront will be detailing of your wood as a path to success in creating a top shelf result. Dr. Grunge will have several SierraWest Scale Models surgically prepared, on display, for evaluation and discussion. Lots to cover, so let’s get into it!… |
| Estate Planning | ||
| From Public Modules to Layout Room | The clinician discusses his decision to use modules from the California Central Coast On30 layout to build a room layout in a former game room in his house. All aspects of the design and construction of the layout will be discussed, including multiple layout components being 3D printed. | |
| From the Everyday to the Extraordinary: Every Picture Tells a Story | This clinic presents a gallery of real-world photographs, and suggests ways to incorporate their stories into your railroad. Methods include: forced perspective, selective compression, backdrop transitions, and animation. Applicable to all regions, eras, and scales/gauges. | |
| Gardening, Plants and Flowers (Non-Rail Presentation) | Come, hear and learn from a Master Gardener who volunteers with the University of Minnesota Extension program. | |
| Going to the Olympics (Non-Rail Presentation) | Every Olympic event has a story and Olympic athletes are the best athletes in the world in their sport! | |
| How to Monetize Your Collection on eBay | Focus on demonstrating how to use eBay to sell a model railroad collection with tips, tricks and best practices. | |
| 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. | |
| Inside the West Side Lumber Company Sawmill | Using historic photos and period catalog images from the machinery companies who actually supplied the equipment used in the mill, this clinic follows the flow of the timber through the mill and with a brief look at the boiler house that powered the mill. | |
| Layout Lighting | Gerry Cornwell | Professional Lighting Designer Gerry Cornwell reviews some basics of lighting design, discusses various lighting products, and illustrates techniques for typical model railroad lighting. |
| Layout Upgrades | Dr. Gregg Condon MMR® | 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. |
| Lighting Products – Trends and What’s Available | Tom Zurek | |
| Logging Railroads in Minnesota | Neil Maldeis MMR® | Neil describes the history of the white pine logging industry in Minnesota during it’s heyday, from the 1880’s to the 1930’s. See logging camps, workers, sawmills and the railroads that served this industry. Learn interesting facts and information about the companies and railroads of this era. A unique prototype that operated into the 1960’s will be presented as a modeling candidate. |
| Minnesota Narrow Gauge Railroads | ||
| Modeling Scrap and Salvage – Ways to Junk Up Your Layout | Sam Swanson MMR® | 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 | Keith Pashina | This clinic presents the Keith’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. |
| Modeling Water | Bill Obenauf | |
| 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. | |
| Nevada California Oregon Railway | Maurie Walker | The N-C-O ran through what is even now one of the most isolated parts of the country. Learn its history and why you should care about this major but largely overlooked narrow gauge railway. |
| On30 and On18… Happy Together! | Art Bloomer | 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. |
| Prototype – Shipping Live Stock | ||
| Repowering Brass Steam Locomotives | Dave Rygmyr | 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 | Jimmy Booth | This clinic given by the President 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. | |
| Scenery in O Scale | ||
| Scenery Tips and Techniques | Guy Cantwell | Clinic will cover the basic principles in scenery design and application. Will provide many tips for creating realistic and effective scenery. |
| 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 Devil is in the Details | Mike Engler | The clinician will share the techniques, tools and materials used to take your modeling to the next level. From planning and sourcing materials, to preparing, cutting, creating realistic wood grain, staining, constructing and weathering, you’ll learn the techniques used to create a contest worthy model. Most importantly, learn the methods used to provide the detailing necessary to build prize-winning scenes for your dioramas and layouts big or small. |
| The Kennebec Central Railroad | Jeff Schumaker | 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. |
| The Mina Subdivision of the Southern Pacific Railroad | Steve Bradley | 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. |
| Using Geodesic Foam to Create Rocks and Scenery | Joel Bragdon | This is a hands-on live demonstration on the methods used to create scenic rock formations using Geodesic Foam materials. |
| Using Photographs to Design Models | Robert Bell | Explore some ideas for using photos to design and create vector drawings of a model railroad item with your computer. These drawings can then be used to have decals made or parts created with a laser cutter or Cricut. Drawings for decals, buildings, track work, rolling stock and other items will be covered. |
| Vacationing with Narrow Gauge Railroads | Robb Thomas | |
| Water System | Joel Bragdon | This is a hands-on live demonstration on the methods used with the author’s water system to create realistic water on your layout or diorama. |
| Weathering System | Joel Bragdon | This is a hands-on live demonstration on the methods used with the author’s weathering system to create realistic rust and weathering on your models. |
| Introduction of the Woodland Scenics, Sound System-Just Plug | Miles Hale | The new Woodland Scenics Sound System-Just Plug is being introduced here at the 46th National Narrow Gauge Convention! Come and give the most complete and easiest system to use a try. This is a hands-on clinic and Miles will show you how the new element of sound can add a new dimension to your railroad world. Come and see how sound can add to your railroad with no wiring and so easy! |
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