GSQ Convention 2003 Schedule

GSQ Convention 2003
Speaker Schedule
(Note: While relatively firm, this schedule still may be subject to change.)

Updated Sept. 29, 2003

Friday Oct. 3, 2003 Saturday Oct. 4 Sunday Oct. 5

8:00-5:00 Registration* (at Reedley Opera House) Registration* (at Reedley Opera House) [ 8:00- 12:00 ] Registration* (at Opera House)

9:00 Cagney History and Design
Don Micheletti (at the Opera House)
     Don is a mechanical engineer and was for many years the CMO of the standard gauge 2472. He has restored several Cagneys and is one leading authorities on these durable park engines. (9:00 - 10:30)
50 Years of the Redwood Valley
Ellen Thomsen (at Opera House)
     Learn about the longest running family owned Grand Scale railway in the country. History, logistics, joys ,sorrows. Ellen is the General Manager of the RVRy and the daughter of found Erich Thomsen. Building the 0-4-0
Chris Allen (at Opera House)
     You've been reading about the construction of this engine in the pages of GSQ. Now you'll meet the face behind the name. And you'll have the chance to see (and, if you like, RUN) this wonderful little 15" gauge engine.

10:00 Swanton Pacific: History & Operation
Ed Carnegie (at Opera House)
     This 19" gauge railway is very well in the Grand Scales world. The equipment was orginally built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. It led a rather checkered history until it was finally all re-collected by Al Smith at his Swanton Pacific north of Santa Cruz, CA. Ed Carnegie has been in charge of the line since it was entrusted to Calpoly. (10:30-12:00)
MTC Trains
L. Andrew Jugle (at Opera House)
     The tremendously popular G-12 and G-16 park trains have captured the imaginations of countless riders: young and young at heart. Mr. Jugle's series of articles on the history of MTC have been among the most popular in GSQ. His level of research and devotion to the history of this company has made him the premiere expert on the Miniature Train Company. Hollywood Train Wrecks
Jack Sessums (at Opera House)
     If it can go wrong it will. Trains derailed by insects. Engines that explode for no reason. Light weight subway cars with the inertia of a small planet. You won't believe what directors have asked Sessums Engineering to do for their movie train wrecks.

11:00 Commercial Operations
Robert Frank (at Opera House)
     Traintown (15", Sonoma, CA) is among the best known and most successful Grand Scale commercial operations in the country. Robert Frank is son of Traintown founder Stanley Frank. Under his management this popular railroad has reached new levels of prosperity. He will speak on some of the factors and considerations involved in a commercial operation.

OPEN
Go visit the Vendors!
Enjoy a train ride!

12:00 Lunchtime: snacks by the Vendor area or look at the restaurant list for a good meal (be sure to wear your name badges).
Ragtime Mechanical Music will be playing at Hillcrest for your entertainment. Lunchtime: (same) Lunchtime: (same)

1:00
TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR

Wabash Frisco & Pacific
Fred Keisell (at Vendor Bldg.)
     The WF&P is one of the oldest Grand Scale railroads still in operation. Fred has been an active member for decades. He'll tell us how this volunteer organization has surived for so long.

Automatic Brake Systems
Sean Bautista (at Hillcrest shop bldg.)
     The difference in the distance it takes to stop a train with only engine brakes versus a train equipped with brakes on every car is amazing. Safety is becoming a greater issue every day. Learn about one approach to automatic "train air" that is both effective as well as forgiving of the novice user.
Laying Track
Hillcrest Crew (by the wye)
     Real ties. Real rail. Real ballast. Really smelly gandy dancers. Come out to see the gang laying 15" gauge tracks that's built to last. Learn about some of the considerations in chosing a right-of-way, preparing the roadbed, using vegitation barriers, bending the rails, etc. There will be a chance for some in the audience to try their hands at the methods being demonstrated.
Of Gears, Hudsons & Suppliers
Ed Yungling (at Vendor Bldg.)
    Ed is currently building a 12" gauge Shay, and he quite a bit of work on the rebuilding of the 15" gauge Hudson at Traintown. Learn about some of his methods and where he gets some of his materials. Ed has worked in 16", 15", 12", and 7.5" gauges. He is perhaps most famous for his 1.5" scale Cabforward, which has appeared numerous times in hobby magazines.

2:00
OPEN
Go visit the Vendors!
Enjoy a train ride!
  OPEN
Go visit the Vendors!
Enjoy a train ride! Hydraulic Drives
Paul Garin (at Vendor Bldg.)
     What's the difference between a hydraulic drive and a hydrostatic drive? How big a motor do you need? How can you keep from cooking your oil? Paul will answer all of these questions. He is a mechanical engineer and the owner of Roll Models Inc.

3:00 Switch Building (3:00 - 5:00)
Hillcrest Crew (at Hillcrest shop bldg)
     Every railroad needs switches. If they aren't built and installed correctly, the crew may spend too much time playing "pick up the boxcar". Learn the most important factors in designing and bulding a switch that will work well (and last). Be sure to bring your camera and your notebook.
TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR

Fabrication vs. Casting
Frank Allen (at Vendor Building)
     If you are only building one engine of a particular kind, there will be many parts you'll only need one or two of. In some cases there may be benefits from making a fabrication instead of building a pattern and having it cast. Learn what the advantages and tradeoffs are.

Insuring the Grand Scales
Mike Deeble (at patio by Hillcrest station)
     Everyone is all too keenly aware of the liability / insurance crisis these days. Learn what the issues are, and how to most effectively protect yourself. Mike has specialized in railroad and trolley insurance for years. He worked with railroads from private 7.5" gauge lines to standard gauge museums, tourist lines, and shortline railroads.

Enjoy one last train ride.

Thanks for Coming!

4:00
TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR

Sheet Metal Forming
Jack Bodenman (at patio by Hillcrest Station)
     The ability to form and spin sheet metal with skill can greatly enhance the final look of an engine or car. And it isn't as tough as it looks. Learn some skills that will allow you to make all sorts of neat parts. Jack is a custom machinist and builder. He specializes in steam engines and high quality rolling stock.

Boilers
Paul Boschan (at Vendor Bldg.)
    If you own or operate a steam engine, you need to understand how boilers work and how they are constructed. This knowledge can save money and increase safety. And do you really need an ASME code stamp on your boiler? Paul Boschan is owner of Boschan Boiler and Restoration.

Evening Suppertime: Look at the restaurant list, the ones with stars will most likely be filled with other folks from the convention (Be sure to wear your name badges.)
Suppertime: Go to town for a good meal then come back out for a . . .

Night Run

We'll be playing trains until the crews are too tired to keep going.

*Those Guests who have pre-registered and received their name badges in the mail will not need to check in at the Main Desk at the Reedley Opera House. If you do not have a badge you will need check at the Opera House before attending the seminar's or going to the Hillcrest & Wahtoke Railroad.

Return to:

	Friday Oct. 3, 2003	Saturday Oct. 4	Sunday Oct. 5
8:00-5:00	Registration* (at Reedley Opera House)	Registration* (at Reedley Opera House)	[ 8:00- 12:00 ] Registration* (at Opera House)
9:00	Cagney History and Design Don Micheletti (at the Opera House) Don is a mechanical engineer and was for many years the CMO of the standard gauge 2472. He has restored several Cagneys and is one leading authorities on these durable park engines.	(9:00 - 10:30) 50 Years of the Redwood Valley Ellen Thomsen (at Opera House) Learn about the longest running family owned Grand Scale railway in the country. History, logistics, joys ,sorrows. Ellen is the General Manager of the RVRy and the daughter of found Erich Thomsen.	Building the 0-4-0 Chris Allen (at Opera House) You've been reading about the construction of this engine in the pages of GSQ. Now you'll meet the face behind the name. And you'll have the chance to see (and, if you like, RUN) this wonderful little 15" gauge engine.
10:00	Swanton Pacific: History & Operation Ed Carnegie (at Opera House) This 19" gauge railway is very well in the Grand Scales world. The equipment was orginally built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. It led a rather checkered history until it was finally all re-collected by Al Smith at his Swanton Pacific north of Santa Cruz, CA. Ed Carnegie has been in charge of the line since it was entrusted to Calpoly.	(10:30-12:00) MTC Trains L. Andrew Jugle (at Opera House) The tremendously popular G-12 and G-16 park trains have captured the imaginations of countless riders: young and young at heart. Mr. Jugle's series of articles on the history of MTC have been among the most popular in GSQ. His level of research and devotion to the history of this company has made him the premiere expert on the Miniature Train Company.	Hollywood Train Wrecks Jack Sessums (at Opera House) If it can go wrong it will. Trains derailed by insects. Engines that explode for no reason. Light weight subway cars with the inertia of a small planet. You won't believe what directors have asked Sessums Engineering to do for their movie train wrecks.
11:00	Commercial Operations Robert Frank (at Opera House) Traintown (15", Sonoma, CA) is among the best known and most successful Grand Scale commercial operations in the country. Robert Frank is son of Traintown founder Stanley Frank. Under his management this popular railroad has reached new levels of prosperity. He will speak on some of the factors and considerations involved in a commercial operation.		OPEN Go visit the Vendors! Enjoy a train ride!
12:00	Lunchtime: snacks by the Vendor area or look at the restaurant list for a good meal (be sure to wear your name badges). Ragtime Mechanical Music will be playing at Hillcrest for your entertainment.	Lunchtime: (same)	Lunchtime: (same)
1:00	TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR Wabash Frisco & Pacific Fred Keisell (at Vendor Bldg.) The WF&P is one of the oldest Grand Scale railroads still in operation. Fred has been an active member for decades. He'll tell us how this volunteer organization has surived for so long. Automatic Brake Systems Sean Bautista (at Hillcrest shop bldg.) The difference in the distance it takes to stop a train with only engine brakes versus a train equipped with brakes on every car is amazing. Safety is becoming a greater issue every day. Learn about one approach to automatic "train air" that is both effective as well as forgiving of the novice user.	Laying Track Hillcrest Crew (by the wye) Real ties. Real rail. Real ballast. Really smelly gandy dancers. Come out to see the gang laying 15" gauge tracks that's built to last. Learn about some of the considerations in chosing a right-of-way, preparing the roadbed, using vegitation barriers, bending the rails, etc. There will be a chance for some in the audience to try their hands at the methods being demonstrated.	Of Gears, Hudsons & Suppliers Ed Yungling (at Vendor Bldg.) Ed is currently building a 12" gauge Shay, and he quite a bit of work on the rebuilding of the 15" gauge Hudson at Traintown. Learn about some of his methods and where he gets some of his materials. Ed has worked in 16", 15", 12", and 7.5" gauges. He is perhaps most famous for his 1.5" scale Cabforward, which has appeared numerous times in hobby magazines.
2:00	OPEN Go visit the Vendors! Enjoy a train ride!	OPEN Go visit the Vendors! Enjoy a train ride!	Hydraulic Drives Paul Garin (at Vendor Bldg.) What's the difference between a hydraulic drive and a hydrostatic drive? How big a motor do you need? How can you keep from cooking your oil? Paul will answer all of these questions. He is a mechanical engineer and the owner of Roll Models Inc.
3:00	Switch Building (3:00 - 5:00) Hillcrest Crew (at Hillcrest shop bldg) Every railroad needs switches. If they aren't built and installed correctly, the crew may spend too much time playing "pick up the boxcar". Learn the most important factors in designing and bulding a switch that will work well (and last). Be sure to bring your camera and your notebook.	TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR Fabrication vs. Casting Frank Allen (at Vendor Building) If you are only building one engine of a particular kind, there will be many parts you'll only need one or two of. In some cases there may be benefits from making a fabrication instead of building a pattern and having it cast. Learn what the advantages and tradeoffs are. Insuring the Grand Scales Mike Deeble (at patio by Hillcrest station) Everyone is all too keenly aware of the liability / insurance crisis these days. Learn what the issues are, and how to most effectively protect yourself. Mike has specialized in railroad and trolley insurance for years. He worked with railroads from private 7.5" gauge lines to standard gauge museums, tourist lines, and shortline railroads.	Enjoy one last train ride. Thanks for Coming!
4:00		TWO SPEAKERS THIS HOUR Sheet Metal Forming Jack Bodenman (at patio by Hillcrest Station) The ability to form and spin sheet metal with skill can greatly enhance the final look of an engine or car. And it isn't as tough as it looks. Learn some skills that will allow you to make all sorts of neat parts. Jack is a custom machinist and builder. He specializes in steam engines and high quality rolling stock. Boilers Paul Boschan (at Vendor Bldg.) If you own or operate a steam engine, you need to understand how boilers work and how they are constructed. This knowledge can save money and increase safety. And do you really need an ASME code stamp on your boiler? Paul Boschan is owner of Boschan Boiler and Restoration.
Evening	Suppertime: Look at the restaurant list, the ones with stars will most likely be filled with other folks from the convention (Be sure to wear your name badges.)	Suppertime: Go to town for a good meal then come back out for a . . . Night Run We'll be playing trains until the crews are too tired to keep going.