Less than 60 Days Till The 2026 Great Lakes Large Scale Train Expo and Midwest Garden Railroad Gathering!

BUILD IT BASH IT- MAKE IT YOUR OWN (Wooden Garden Railway Structures)
Presented by Kevin Adams
Friday May 15 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM

Modelers of every skill level are invited to learn how to create garden railway structures from wood. Start off on the right foot by learning from the pro how to build your structures the right way. Avoid the pitfalls most fall into to maximize your productivity and enjoyment. Whether you’re refining an existing wooden structure, building a new one or looking to build your first one this session will deliver the inspiration and hands‑on ideas you need!

3D PRINTING BASICS
Presented by Dennis Rayon
Friday May 15 11:45 AM to 12:45 PM

3D PRINTING BASICS. This clinic shows how simple digital models can become custom buildings, accessories, and one of a kind details that bring a layout to life. You’ll explore the creative process from concept to print, learning how hobbyists use 3D printing to solve problems and unlock new storytelling possibilities. Whether you want to replicate a real structure or invent something entirely new, this session gives you the confidence to start creating.

FIRING & OPERATING LIVE STEAM ENGINES
Presented by Allen Nickels
Friday May 15 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM

This clinic walks through every step of preparing a live steamer—from filling the boiler and lubricators to fueling up and bringing the burner to life—so hobbyists can see exactly how pressure builds and motion begins. You’ll watch the gauges rise, hear the cylinders clear, and experience the moment the locomotive starts chuffing under its own steam. Along the way, the presenter breaks down safety, technique, and the little rituals that make live steam both approachable and deeply rewarding. It’s an ideal introduction for anyone curious about running true steam on their garden railway.

PLANNING FOR RELIABLE TRAIN LAYOUTS
Presented by David Bergmann (Split Jaw)
Friday May 15 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM

PLANNING FOR RELIABLE TRAIN LAYOUTS gives hobbyists a clear, practical roadmap for building track‑powered layouts that run smoothly day after day. This clinic breaks down the core principles behind dependable operation—track geometry, electrical continuity, connectors, expansion, and long‑term maintenance—so attendees understand what really keeps trains moving. You’ll see how thoughtful planning prevents common issues and how small design choices can dramatically improve performance. The session also includes time for questions about Split Jaw’s components and a look at new products that support reliability and ease of use. It’s an essential clinic for anyone who wants their layout to run as beautifully as it looks.

LAYOUTS: THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX—IMAGINE, REPURPOSE, IMPROVISE
Presented by Jan Daum
Saturday May 16 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM

By thinking ‘Outside the Box’, you can ‘Go Big’ without spending a lot. By planning more flexibility into your layout, you can make it fit into more and more varied spaces. Besides that, it’s just the thing when the Train Show Coordinator calls and says: “Hi, I need you to take a 2nd layout at the show…this weekend” and neglects to tell you the shape.

Over the last few years, Jan’s developed a few techniques, designs and supplies so that with just a little planning you can have a park, a forest, a lake, a beach, an instant bridge, even an entire suburban development; each easily stored in a reasonably small, easily grab-able boxes—ready to grab and go. An additional box of sundry supplies and accoutrements supplements your emergency layout needs. We’ll take the time to think outside the box so it will fit inside a box and not break the bank.

CREATING CHARACTER OR THEMED TRAINS FOR LAUGHTER AND ENGAGEMENT
Presented by Frank Dunbar (Lakeshore Garden Railway Club)
Saturday May 16 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM

One of the key ways we have fostered interest and engagement in the garden railroad hobby at Lakeshore Garden Railway Club is through the use of character or theme based trains. At train shows or exhibitions club members running the Jurassic Park themed Dinosaur Train, the Minion Train, or one of our other themed trains will be asked all kinds of questions about the hobby that may never get asked otherwise. We find people requesting us to run a special train that someone else in their family saw or folks singing the music played when the themed train runs by. At this seminar we will show off the various trains developed by club members: two Star Wars trains; the Hippie Train; the Pez Candy Train; several themed Egg Liner creations, including the Bacon and Egg Liner; as well as the above mentioned Dinosaur and Minion Trains. Details of ideas, design thoughts and how to make this all happen relatively reasonably will be discussed. Join us! We guarantee a good laugh and fun as we share how to make our hobby very accessible to others.

3D PRINTING ADVANCED
Presented By Dennis Rayon
Saturday May 16 12:45 PM to 1:45 PM

3D PRINTING ADVANCED welcomes hobbyists with a mix of experience and shows how to take both filament (FDM) and resin printing to the next level without getting lost in technical jargon. This clinic breaks down advanced techniques—like fine tuning settings, improving detail quality, and handling more complex models—in a way that’s easy to follow and immediately useful. You’ll see how different materials and printers shine in different situations, and how small adjustments can lead to big improvements in your final prints.

“THE WALKING DEAD RAIL” RC & Battery Power Conversion
Presented By Tom Soukop
Saturday May 16 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM

The clinic aims to “demystify” locomotive conversions by moving away from track-dependent power (DC/DCC) and embracing Dead Rail via RailPro. The core philosophy is the “Fear-Killer” approach: using standard engineering principles (Ampacity, Ohm’s Law, and Fusing) to ensure success. This approach keeps the process approachable, practical, and repeatable, no matter your experience level. It’s an empowering session designed to help hobbyists take the leap into RailPro‑driven Dead Rail with clarity and confidence.