Carl’s career in electronics and interest in model railroading have been intertwined since childhood.
Bitten by the model train bug after traveling on the pre-Amtrak Florida streamliners during the 60s and
early 70s, Carl received his first HO scale model train set in 1972. While building his second HO scale
layout in junior high school, a choice was made to install a signal system for more realistic operation.
Realizing knowledge in electronics was required, Carl bought Peter J. Thorne’s book, Practical Electronic
Projects for Model Railroaders and his 40+ year journey began, first as an industrial electronics
technician, moving to high-end audio electronics and serving for a time maintaining recording studio
equipment at Ron Rose Productions in Tampa, FL.
Carl played guitar semiprofessionally in the Tampa
Bay area and spent some time as a sound engineer for live bands and in the recording studio. From
1991 to 1998 Carl taught Industrial Electronics at Tampa Bay Technical Area Center. An avocational
interest in personal computers led to the next phase of Carl’s career, becoming an IT professional,
specializing in network design and system analysis.
Carl was introduced to DCC in 2004 and saw the
benefits of operating model trains via electronic control. He jumped in with both feet, converting from
DC to DCC and eventually become a professional DCC installer. Carl joined the NMRA in 2007 and has
since helped others to learn about DCC by giving clinics and demonstrations at NMRA modeler’s meets
and conventions. Carl currently works in the aerospace industry as an IT Senior Manager of
Infrastructure and Security at ALIGN PRECISION CORP.
Carl lives with his wife Vicki in Tarpon Springs, FL. Vicki is also a model railroader, and they spend time
enjoying the hobby together. Their daughter Denise lives in Greer, SC. Carl and Denise share a passion
for record collecting and music history. His other hobbies include bike riding, being an avid audiophile
and having traveling adventures with Vicki.
NEW Clinic #1 of 2 - Adding Sound and DCC to Athearn RTR Locomotives
Athearn blue box and Ready To Roll locomotives are some of the most popular locomotives in HO scale. Many of these units are not DCC friendly out of the box. This clinic shows how to convert these locomotives to DCC operation, including sound and lighting functions. Each step is explained with photos and illustrations.
NEW Clinic #2 of 2 - Using the ESU Lokprogrammer - A Closer Look
This clinic explores the advantages of owning and using an ESU LokProgrammer. More than just a way to change DCC settings, this device can be used to customize your Loksound decoders with unique sounds and lighting effects. This clinic will help you to become a skilled Lokprogrammer user. We will dive into the heart of the programming software, show how to add your own sounds and enable extended features that make your locomotives sound and perform like the prototype.
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