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The NMRA HUB Division

RailFun Events

Please join us for our next RailFun event
Saturday, March 16, 2024, 10:00am

Scratchbuilding a Turnout in Place, by Peter Watson, MMR

Location: St. Ann’s Parish Hall, West Bridgewater, MA

In recent years, scratch building switches has been made easier by using the Fast Tracks jigs. But what do you do when you need a switch that isn’t a standard size? Maybe it is on a curve or right on top of another track element? Or maybe you are building in narrow gauge? This clinic will show you how to scratch-build a turnout in place without using a jig. Pete will build a switch from start to finish during this clinic.

Following the clinic, a member’s layout will be open for tours. Information on the layout tour will be posted later.

Learn New Skiils
Learn New Skiils Like Weathering Freight Cars
Learn New Skiils - Using Static Grass
Put It All Together
Visit Member Layouts - Randy Child
Visit Member Layouts - Carl Churchill
Visit Member Layouts - Russ Norris
Visit Member Layouts - Bob Macauley
Meet New Friends and Get Inspired
Meet New Friends and Get Inspired
Meet New Friends and Get Inspired
Meet New Friends and Get Inspired
Celebrate Achievements - Jim Kerkum
Celebrate Achievements - Malcolm Houck
Celebrate Achievements - Russ Norris - MMR!

Review Past Clinics

See recordings of our past clinics

Future RailFun Events

About RailFUN

The HUB Division formally established Railfun nights in 1996. Railfun is an informal get-together that offers presentations and hands-on clinics teaching a variety of modeling techniques or prototype railroad topics. The evening is open to both members and the public; we generally have about 40 attendees. Railfun is a time to socialize, meet new members and potential new members, discuss hot model railroading topics, help each other with our favorite tips, and is, as the name implies, just a lot of fun!

Some hands-on Railfun clinics held over the past few seasons included making trees, weathering freight cars, making rock formations using rock molds and geodesic foam, and an entire multi-part series on construction and scenicking a diorama. We've had presentations on the construction of the Hoosic Tunnel, the latest in DCC sound technology and products, and what it is like to be a train engineer, presented by one of our members who is an engineer on the commuter rail. Railfun clinics and presentations are usually given by HUB members and sometimes by invited clinicians, but anyone can give a clinic. Contact the Railfun Night Coordinator if you would like to schedule yourself to present a clinic.

Railfun is a free event. However, we do ask for a $3 donation per adult, which buys you refreshments plus all the parts and materials for the clinics.