Repair clinics at TCA meets.

I love the idea and have thought about doing something like this.  I would encourage everyone to bring their own loco to practice on.   You would have to have plenty of tools on hand (or folks would have to bring their own.)  And someone should capture the proceedings with photos and videos for future reference!

I guess that it depends on what era/types of trains you plan on focusing on, because not every repair technique crosses all bounds.  

We're focusing on prewar and postwar to the 60's.  Items that can be repaired with a screwdriver, pliers and a soldering iron and wiring diagrams that straightforward AC circuits ( except of course 1.5V DC for Lionel whistles).  My emailing did get a response from a dealer who knows all about MTH software so we'll have that also.  But we need to walk before we can run, and I'm afraid of getting into electronics.

Besides, I hate sound because as someone who heard what locomotives actually sounded like in the 50's and 60's, what I hear on models is generally wrong.

Bring a hammer and punch!  You might find that helpful to free up seized wheels on prewar Flyer engines.  The wheels often expand into the sides of the motor frame and seize the motor.  

I know that I find the seized motors will free up with a hammer and punch, hitting the axle at the center of the wheel, alternating sides, until the wheels spin freely.  

I don't necessarily run a clinic, but I do set up a control panel with a work station. the work station is primarly for me to work on my trains, but I always have people bring their trains in to be serviced and/or fixed. I keep a steady supply of parts on hand to keep my locos running through out the show. In most cases, when people bring e things to fix, I can do it right there at the show. rarely do I have to take anything home with me to fix. and the customers of the train shows are always appreciative of having their trains up and running again. I love the smiles I get when an old loco that's been sitting in a box for 40 years comes to life on my board and the owner gets excited about the hobby once again.

Nation Wide Lines posted:

Bring a hammer and punch!  You might find that helpful to free up seized wheels on prewar Flyer engines.  The wheels often expand into the sides of the motor frame and seize the motor.  

I know that I find the seized motors will free up with a hammer and punch, hitting the axle at the center of the wheel, alternating sides, until the wheels spin freely.  

Thanks.  Interesting idea.  I'll try that if the occasion arises.

Popi posted:

I don't necessarily run a clinic, but I do set up a control panel with a work station. the work station is primarly for me to work on my trains, but I always have people bring their trains in to be serviced and/or fixed. I keep a steady supply of parts on hand to keep my locos running through out the show. In most cases, when people bring e things to fix, I can do it right there at the show. rarely do I have to take anything home with me to fix. and the customers of the train shows are always appreciative of having their trains up and running again. I love the smiles I get when an old loco that's been sitting in a box for 40 years comes to life on my board and the owner gets excited about the hobby once again.

Beautiful, wish it was near here.  When I  looked at the signs in the background, I thought it must be a St. Lawrence & Adirondack division location - then I noticed Clayton 2009.  To be way up there, this must have been a warm weather show.  Do you still do it ?  Another nostalgia trip- taking me back to the NYC in 1960-61.