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hunter48820
Fireman
Premium Member
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 Posted - 08/31/2008 : 5:48:43 PM
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Hi All,
Not sure if this has been discussed before (I did a quick search with nil results) but I was just wondering if any of the NMRA members out there are working towards their Master Model Railroader Certificate or the Achievement Awards.
Both our local NMRA division (Lansing, MI area)and the Protrak Operating group (not related) have started a group effort to work towards the MMR. Luckily I'm in both!! It makes it so much easier when there is a group effort with support from those that have already received their's.
So, is anyone else working on their's?
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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Dutchman
Administrator
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 6:10:22 PM
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Andy,
I am working on mine. Last year I received the Scenery AP Certificate (and the Golden Spike), and this year I received my Structures Certificate.
The next one I'm likely to get is the Author Certificate.
I know a few other Forum members who are working through the AP program, but I will let them jump in themselves.
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Bruce
Modeling the railroads of the Jersey Highlands in HO and the logging railroads of Pennsylvania in HOn3 |
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AVRR-PA
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 6:36:15 PM
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Hi, Andy -
I'm pretty close to finishing my Structure Certificate and I'm working on a couple of projects that might count toward the Rolling Stock Certificate.
Don
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railmus
Fireman
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 7:17:13 PM
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My Electrical Certificate has been approved locally (NFR) and is in Chatanooga. Volunteer is complete but got misplaced/lost "in the shuffle"! Civil, Scenery and Structures are in the final stages of submission. Dispatcher will be next.
Scale Rails has helped quite a lot the last little while as they are focusing on the Achievement Program.
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Edited by - railmus on 08/31/2008 9:34:02 PM |
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Country: Canada
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wvrr
Fireman
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 7:32:01 PM
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Andy,
I have two, right now: the author and volunteer. I'm working on structures, now. A long ways to go. But, it is an interesting road as you get a deeper understanding of the different areas in the hobby. I think the monthly articles in Scale Rails on each certificate has been interesting.
Chuck
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Wyoming Valley Railroad
http://sites.google.com/site/wvrails/ |
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northern6400
Fireman
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 7:58:46 PM
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Andy
I am working on mine. So far I have my official and volunteer. I am ready to get my electrical, close to get my civil and scenery. My first scratch build structure ready for judging, two bridges finished. Many other craftsman kits done.
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Chuck Faist
Burlington, Ontario
Enjoy yourself it is later than you think! |
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Tim Kerkhoff
Fireman
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 9:04:37 PM
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Andy,
I have been a member of the NMRA for quite sometime. I always thought it would be neat to obtain some of the AP certificates and enventually work toward a MMR.
The NMRA group from my region has been to my layout several times to operate. They thought all I would need to do is fill out the appropiate forms and have them come back to judge it. (Scenery, electrical, and Dispatcher are the ones I think they mentioned. I need to read up on what I really need to do. The AP program is a good way to improve ones skills.
Good luck on your endeavor.
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hunter48820
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 10:45:53 PM
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What do you guys think of requesting a forum to deal with anything MMR and AP and to support those members that are working towards them?
I know that I have alot of questions and I know that there are others. We also have a fair amount of people that have already received some of their awards and some have even received their MMR and I'll bet that they would be more than happy to help answer our questions and give us a little support!
Since the program covers every area of the hobby, it is hard to find a current forum that would work for us and allow us to keep track of all the info for reference later on.
Your thoughts?
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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Orionvp17
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 11:27:39 PM
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Andy et al,
The first, and in some ways the most difficult and most important, step on the AP journey is to get going. Do something. Go read the AP/MMR requirements. They're spelled out on the NMRA website: http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/
When you do this, look for symbiotic relationships -- some aspects of the requirements play right into others. The Civil and Electrical certificates, for instance, have several common requirements. If you are headed for one, the other should follow with very little effort, IF (and that's a big word) you have planned for things. Various aspects of Scenery, Cars, Locomotives, Structures and Prototype Modeler can be used in other certificates as well.
Pay attention to the fine print, too! It defines the intent of the certificates, and can give you invaluable guidance you may not otherwise be able to find. I, as you know, live out in the boonies, three hours north of you and my nearest division meeting. I can't easily pop over to your place for advice, nor can you pop over to see me on a whim. The "fine print" can answer questions we both have. Your division and region AP chairs are excellent resources as well. They're there to help you -- use them!
You might want to read the piece by Gerry Leone, MMR, on the AP page, too. It's a stitch to read, but it has good advice.
You might also consider region conventions as a place to pick up techniques, hints and tips from some very talented people. Wander through the contest room and see what's on display. Ask questions. Make an effort to make new acquaintances, and make an effort to make those acquaintances friends. You'll learn more than you realize, and your skills will improve. I know I've become a better craftsman through the AP, and I'm now at the point where even I like some of the stuff I've done! 
The AP journey can be frustrating (I rebuilt more than one piece when I realized that my effort just didn't "cut it"), and it can be a great deal of fun. So take the all important first step: Get going!
Pete, MMR
in Michigan
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Edited by - Orionvp17 on 08/31/2008 11:30:23 PM |
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AVRR-PA
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 08/31/2008 : 11:56:48 PM
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I like the idea of having some corner of the Forum where those of us who are pursuing the various certificates could share thoughts and give each other encouragement.
Don
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cnj999
Engine Wiper
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 12:15:17 AM
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I'll just pass this on for what little it might be worth and perhaps as a source of comparison for those in other Regions, which may (I would hope) differ significantly from my own experience.
I think you've all seen my level of modeling from time to time on this forum. Between the late 1990's and early 2000's I had begun working on several AP certificates, quickly gaining a couple. I moved to structures and locomotives, with several of my models placing 1st or 2nd in NER Regional contests with high marks...one exceeded 100 points.
I left the NMRA for a few years around the time of the dues debacle but returned early last year. Figuring I'd pick up where I left off, I entered the best structure I've ever built in last fall's Regional contest. It was fairly large and almost entirely scratch, while far exceeding in quality and detail any of my previous high scoring models.
Now I'll say that I had reviewed some of the previous year's winning models illustrated in the regional newletter and was struck by the scores, which suggested that judging had become dramatically stiffer (it was never easy). Well...my model managed just over 70 points and to be quite honest I was shocked as my structure was on a par with the quality of a FSM building...in fact it was a copy of one.
I'd say that with the current judging criteria used for models in my region, almost no one has an opportunity of gaining further certificates in this and probably other modeling categories. Certainly, the level of modeling required to do so now far exceeds what I am capable of and I'm a pretty good modeler. To be quite honest, this situation has soured me on the entire program.
John (CNJ999)
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Edited by - cnj999 on 09/01/2008 12:18:24 AM |
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hunter48820
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 01:52:15 AM
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Hi John,
I'm sorry to hear of your experience. I'm definately no blue ribbon modeler and that is one thing that I have wonder (or worried) about. Do you think it is just the people in the region that you are in or do you think that the whole organization has changed its standards?
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Best, Andy Keeney
Look out for #1, but don't step in #2! |
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hon3_rr
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 02:35:11 AM
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I got interested in trying to pick up a MMR sticker about 10 years ago but was quickly disappointed to the point of leaving the NMRA, and I haven't looked back. The program from my perspective is just for the few who have certin friends...
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--KP
Life is to short to make all of the models I want to. |
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railphotog
Fireman
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 06:56:24 AM
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quote:
The program from my perspective is just for the few who have certin friends...
Pardon me, but that does sound like sour grapes! You're saying those who have achieved these awards did so by having help from friendly judges? It sure demeans the work that they've put into their models and hobby efforts.
You make models, you have them judged over a period of years by different modelers and if you've done it right, you achieve the magic 87.5 points for a Merit Award. Do you mean that all of those before you who've gotten the awards did so because they were friends with the judges?
I got my AP certificates quite some time ago, and I certainly didn't know any of those doing the judging. I live quite a long way from the main populated area of the NER and the conventions were quite some distance away from where I lived, precluding me knowing the judges.
I have AP certificates for Structures, Scenery, Cars, Author, Volunteer and Official. The last three had nothing to do with judges, they were achieved by accumulating the required number of published material (Author), time spend as an NMRA volunteer (NER AP Chairman for 5 years), and an official in various hobby activities (local club president, chairman of an NER convention, etc.).
I have all of the requirements for Master Builder Locomotive except for the need to scatchbuild one; most of the requirements for Chief Dispatcher but need more time on a friend's layout to qualify.
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Bob Boudreau
My model railroad photography website:
http://sites.google.com/site/railphotog/ |
Edited by - railphotog on 09/01/2008 07:00:12 AM |
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hon3_rr
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 11:09:00 AM
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Bob,
Sorry if my comment came across wrong, as what I was trying to express may not have come across correctly, and in no way am I trying to belittle the folks who are MMR's or the folks who are getting the certificate. Trust me; I really do appreciate their efforts and modeling abilities.
In the Pacific NW region, I found that the general 'tone' and attitude of the folks running the program was very unfriendly and at times somewhat anti-outsider as I was not actively involved with the local NMRA group. I was first going for my structure sticker, and had no interest or time to be really active in the NMRA at that time in my life. I was all but outright told that was not acceptable by two of the judges(??), but that I needed to “...find and make time to be actively promoting and participating in the local region NMRA as that is what the program is for, not for the modeling skills.." as I had expressed earlier in the conversation that improving my modeling skills was one of my goals in the program. My other primary goal we discussed was the 'sharing of modeling skills'. I was then outright told that I needed to "re-evaluate" my reasons for wanting to become involved with the program as my "reasons did not fit with the program goals, and modeling skills was not what the program was for". I was told that the "program is not so much for the improvement of modeling skills, or even the promotion of the hobby, but the program is for the promotion and expansion of the NMRA." I'll never forget that conversation.
I hope that this NMRA philosophy has changed, but my experience so soured me that I have never given the NMRA even a second thought after that day. I don't feel that my thinking has changed, as I still try to share my modeling skills and experiences as well as learn from others, here on the forum.
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--KP
Life is to short to make all of the models I want to. |
Edited by - hon3_rr on 09/01/2008 11:52:04 AM |
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deemery
Fireman
Premium Member
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Posted - 09/01/2008 : 11:20:55 AM
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Did anyone else notice the (posthumous, unfortunately) Distinguished Service Award to Sherry Collins of Campbell Scale Models? Her designs and her instructions both set the bar, and in my view, really helped create the "Craftsman Structure" industry. Although the kits are now 'dated' (and rather expensive, considering the technology), I still think they're the best introduction to craftsman kit and scratchbuilding in the hobby.
I built the "Wayside Freight Station" kit as a kid in the '60s and I still have that structure (badly beaten up from many moves and a flood).
Scotty, et.al. at CSS should take note of this, and do something in her memory at CSS08. How about an award for the best model by a female?
dave
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