You might ask “My AP journey, what am I talking about?” The NMRA Achievement Program is composed of a set of skills or goals in several different categories that help us to become better model railroaders. Once the level of achievement for each category is completed, a certificate is awarded to the modeler. Without even knowing I was doing so I had begun working on requirements for the NMRA Achievement Program while building my layout.
I was becoming more involved in the Central Indiana Division (CID) of the NMRA and was volunteering to help with shows and other local events. The past president of the Midwest Region asked me about putting my name in for Director at Large on the region board and I was elected before I knew it. I was asked to be a trainmaster on the CID board as well. I am now well on my way to having the requirements for both the Association Volunteer and Official AP certificates.
I am apt to forget things, being an old guy, so I put together a PowerPoint with the wiring diagrams and how-to’s for the layout for my benefit, not knowing I had most of the requirements for the Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical AP already done. I also had the requirements for Master Builder – Scenery completed, I just needed to write a description of what I had done.
A couple of years ago, during the pandemic, I could not get some of the semaphore signals I needed. This led me to build my own using 3D printed components and brass tubing and rod. I wrote an article that appeared in Model Railroader not knowing it was giving me points toward the Model Railroad Author AP. With an article just accepted by the NMRA magazine and points from this website, I hope to complete the Author AP this year. I have built several structures that should allow me to get my Master Builder – Structures AP as well.
If I can complete all these and get one more AP certificate for a total of seven, I will be able to apply for Master Model Railroader. With MMR you get a nice plaque to put on the wall, but the knowledge gained along the way is the true prize. Most of the work to get this accomplished will have been done in the pursuit of knowledge and participation in the hobby and with the help of those who have gone before. That is what it is all about, after all.
Master Builder – Structures AP
Well, I did get my structures AP done. It was one of the hardest yet, the judging can be tough on your ego, but it feels good to have this one under my belt! The requirement for the structures AP is to build twelve structures of six different types. six of these must be scratch built. Also, six of the models must be evaluated for merit with a score of at least 87-1/2.
The Model Railroad Author AP
I received my certificate for author this year (2025). The combination of a couple of articles in national magazines – Model Railroader December 2021 “How to Scratchbuild a Semaphore”, the NMRA magazine November 2024 “Mistic Falls on the Wildcat Valley Railway”, and this web site was enough to get the required points!
Association Official AP
I received the Association Official Certificate a few months ago. This was probably the easiest to attain of all the certificates thus far. I was asked to run for Director at large and got myself elected to the Midwest Region Board of Directors for a two-year stint and then got reelected for another two years. After holding that position for three years, I met the qualifications needed. I used the final year as points toward the Association Volunteer Cert. The board meets twice a year with the majority of the meetings being over Zoom.
Association Volunteer
This was my sixth AP certificate. This is another that is not that difficult to qualify for. You need 60 volunteer points which can be attained in many ways. I am on my division’s board, I volunteer at our events, I am the manager for one of our train shows, and the editor of our division’s newsletter, I gave some clinics and opened my layout for tours. Many of these activities just require that you participate and have fun with other members and all earn volunteer points.
Master Builder – Cars
Well, the next certificate I hope to attain will no doubt be the most challenging. I will need to build eight cars, for of which must be scratch built. There must be four different types of cars one of which must be a passenger car. the good news is that this means 5 of the cars can be identical and I have plans to design and 3D print at least 5 hopper cars for my coal operations. I expect this achievement to take a while, but at the end of it, I will be qualified to apply for Master Model Railroader.
