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Here is a link to the NMRA Achievement Program web page http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/ |
| NMRA Achievement Program in the SMD I became the SMD Achievement Program (AP) chairman several years ago when I asked about the AP at a divisional meeting. Like most things in life, if you show some interest, you are on the committee. I figured that there must be a few other members with an interest in the AP. My job as AP chairman is to encourage members to apply for the various awards and certificates that are part of the AP. I can help with the paperwork, but can’t help with your modeling! Once I sign your application, I will forward it to the regional AP manager, Charlie Flichman in North Carolina. He will issue the certificate and I will present it at a divisional meeting. The first AP award most people earn is the Golden Spike (GS). The GS has a short list of qualifications: Display 6 units of rolling stock (scratchbuilt, craftsman, or super-detailed kits) Construction of 8 square feet of layout with scenery Construct 5 structures (scratchbuilt, craftsman, or super-detailed kits) Installation of 3 types of trackage (for example: turnouts and crossings) with appropriate ballast and roadbed Wire the above trackage so that 2 trains can be operated simultaneously (for example: double-track main and command control) Provide one additional electrical feature (for example: power turnouts) All of the above items don’t need to be on the same layout or even in the same scale. You can even use your contributions to club layouts. The AP also includes eleven achievement certificates (in addition to the GS) in four areas. These include: Equipment: Master builder-motive power Master builder-cars Settings: Master builder-scenery Master builder-prototype models Master builder-structures Engineering and Operation: Master railroad engineer-civil Master railroad engineer-electrical Chief dispatcher Service Association official Association volunteer Model railroad author Of course, there is paperwork to fill out for each of these certificates. If you are a volunteer, you need to fill out a log of all the times you volunteer to host a meet, etc. The ultimate award for a model railroader is the title Master Model Railroader (MMR). To earn the title MMR you must earn 7 of the above certificates, at least one in each area. There have been just under 400 MMR titles conferred. For more details and forms consult http://nmra.org/education/achievement/ or let me know if you need a form and I will send it to you. Watch out, I’m coming to your layout soon and I will try to convince you to apply! Jane Clarke Jane.clarke@BioReliance.com |
| Mike Shockey, Golden Spike, March 2011 Richard Lind, AP Volunteer March 2011 Roy Hoffman, Golden Spike, December 2010 Pete Clarke, Association Volunteer, January, 2011 Jane Clarke, Association Volunteer, January, 2011 |
| RECENT AP AWARDS TO SMD MEMBERS |