Congratulations to these "FMIG'ers" for earning this great honor: 82. Ronald E. Williams 128. Tim Kubat 186. C. L. Dischinger 196. Richard E. Napper 209. Jan E. Jester (Deceased) 380. Rick L. McClellan Bob Wintle will probably be our next MMR Doug (working on it)
I would encourage Frisco fans everywhere to join the NMRA and become an MMR. Heck, most of the modeling you do for your railroad would probably qualify for credit in the program anyway.* Here is the url to the NMRA Achievement Program so you can read up on the requirements. http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/ You can get additional support from your Region or Division level AP Chairman who are eager to help you understand the requirements and get you on your way. I would also offer my assistance as well through this website if you have questions. The biggest concern most modelers have is the paper work requirements. You don't have to write a novel or be a great writer, just describe what you did to fulfill the requirement(s). Run it by other MMRs if you still have concerns. It's probably a lot easier than you think. Please understand that it will take time to scratch build the models, write articles, provide volunteer service or operate model railroads. Keep in mind this is where the fun occurs too. My favorite certificate was Chief Dispatcher because I got to run lots of great railroads while earning it. It might not be a bad idea to run questions through this website so everyone can see the questions and answers and benefit. Ship IT on the Frisco! Rick
I am in complete agreement with Rick on this subject. I would also like to add that while I am not an MMR I am very close and I too would offer any assistance that I can. As Rick is well aware, I asked a lot of questions during this process some were good questions and some were probably pretty simple or dumb. I never failed to get good answers though. Just as Rick I really enjoyed the Chief Dispatcher certificate but I think the thing I am enjoying the most is the challenge of becoming a better modeler. I have met a lot of interesting people along my Journey and made some lifelong friends. It has been very enjoyable. I certainly hope to see many of fellows I see on this group become MMR's. Bob Wintle Parsons, Ks.
Bob, thanks for the encouragement. I'm close on Chief Dispatcher and only lack a few hours in the hot seat (Dispatcher). I hope to get a few of them at Jim Tilley's next session if he lets me learn his dispatching system. I've probably got Association Volunteer too - if I can find all the paperwork. Got Author years ago - well duh! Doug
Doug: You are most certainly welcome. I really enjoyed getting Chief Dispatcher. I learned quite a bit about Railroad Operations while doing so. I wish everyone would look at the NMRA Achievment program as a personal challenge in stead of a Contest of sorts. This is what kept me from going for my MMR for more years than I would like to admit. Congratulations on your progess. Keep upon the good work and enjoy our wonderful hobby. Bob
Doug: Congrats, if my feeble math is correct that is two down and five to go. Keep at it and you will be there in no time. Bob Wintle
Bob, a local MMR has sorta adopted me and is very encouraging. John Wissinger, MMR 99. I may get brave and try to prototype model this old scene from Dixon MO in about 1912 or so. Doug
December 2010 issue of nmra magazine, page 52 for a fantastic write up about Brad Slone MMR 437 including a photo of Brad on one of the Army diesels at Ft. Wood, MO.
I've been debating whether I should join the NMRA or not. This pushed me over the line and I will join. I took the time to see what was required to be a MMR and it's intense. I know this thread is a few yeas old, but when someone wins the award and is part of Friscrg, they should be recognized. This is too cool Thanks! Manny
I got my Scale Rails yesterday and saw the nice write-up. Good work Brad. It's always great to see a good man do well.
Manny, Scale Rails is presently the best of the printed MR magazines. The ads are all things we need. But NMRA isn't cheap. NMRA has a beginner rate of $10/year. Try it. MR is on a downward slope and uses the same dozen or so authors. I've heard RMC is slow at paying authors - if at all. Joe Fugate's on-line magazine might be the future, but his articles aren't that great. His ads, however, are fantastic. Doug
If anyone is intersted, "N Scale Railroading" is also a great magazine (Although specializing in N scale). A great change of pace from the HO slanted NMRA, MR and RMC. A good modeler, however should be able to use any source whatever the scale. I believe a modeler should go no further until he learns to use a scale ruler and the math to convert drawings from one scale to another (For instance, any HO drawing could be converted to "N" by simply multiplying by .544). Tom
Thanks guys, I've been out of town visiting in laws over the Thanksgiving weekend, this makes me look forward to getting home and checking my mail box. Once again thanks for the kind words, I will be looking forward to others from the group doing the same, it takes a while to get there but it is do able, if I can get there anybody can (you just have to be stubborn enough not to quit!) Brad
