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The National Model Railroad Association (NMRA), an organization of model railroaders, advances the worldwide scale model railroading community through education and standards as well as advocacy and fellowship.
What's New
Why Join the NMRA?
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Fellowship
Members at all levels of the NMRA are eager to share their knowledge and friendship in local divisions, regions and on the national level.
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Member Services
Being a member of the NMRA entitles you to a multitude of services, all geared toward expanding your enjoyment of the hobby.
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Standards
The NMRA was the organization that set those Standards and Recommended Practices which still guide manufacturers and consumers alike.
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Achievement Program
The NMRA's Achievement Program, or "AP", is designed to help modelers improve their skills and get more out of their hobby. The "AP" gives recognition to members who have displayed a high degree of skill or service to the hobby.
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Region Focus
Sunshine Region
The Sunshine Region Spring 2009 Convention was held in Fort Myers, FL on May 8, 9, and 10, 2009. It was sponsored by Scale Rails of Southwest Florida, Inc., a 100% NMRA club. This convention included an operating session on Friday afternoon at a home layout; an opportunity to operate the club’s NTRAK switching puzzle; some truly great home layout tours on Sunday; 13 clinics including 3 make and take clinics; the model contest room which not only had models and photos for the contest, but also crafts by spouses for a craft contest and an area for models on display only; there were a few select dealers set up to sell their materials; a cruise for the spouses; a great banquet; and of course an auction. The following are a few photos of various parts of the convention.
On Saturday, attendees could chose from ten different Clinics, three of which were of the "Make and Take" variety. There was a small Train Show and the usual contests, auctions, and banquets.
This convention featured three make and take clinics. The photo shows attendees in the process of making trees, a clinic led by Stan Seeds, MMR, our Region President. The make and take clinic to build a small timber RR bridge from a bag a sticks was led by Peter Gross, the President of Scale Rails. The make and take clinic to weather you own structures and rolling stock using chalks in an unusual way was led by Jim Morse, the Secretary of Scale Rails. Jim also did a clinic on modeling with alternative materials. Lee Dobyns conducted a clinic on scratch building turnouts using the Fast Track jigs. Bruce Metcalf conducted a clinic of how to have your model railroad tell a story. Jim Gore conducted a clinic on building models using card stock, a somewhat forgotten craft. Ken Edmier conducted a clinic on the Tehachapi loop. Steve Gdovin led a clinic on maintaining your locomotives using regular maintenance and trouble shooting problems. Barrett Johnson and Darrin Kerwin gave a clinic on innovative programs to bring the younger generation into model railroading. Dennis Little gave a clinic on earning merit awards toward certificates for your MMR. Ray Hazen gave a clinic on battery powered HO trains. Barrett Johnson gave a clinic on making realistic roads for you layout.
On Saturday evening we had a very well attended reception and banquet with prime rib and shrimp, and there was nothing left over! After the banquet the model contest awards were given. The model contest had a number of outstanding models entered, as well as crafts from spouses. The display only table was also full of outstanding models.
The contest results were as follows:
- Presidents award: Jim Gore, card stock Engine House
- Achievement Program Chairman Award: Jim Gore, Hunters Mercantile
- Best of Show: Mathew Gatof, FEC 1/29 scale GP38-2 engine
- Popular Vote: Jim Gore, Hunters Mercantile
- 1st Place Diesel: Mathew Gatof, FEC 1/29 scale GP38-2
- 1st Place Non Revenue: Rod Perkins, DSRR SN42 Flanger
- 1st Place Passenger Car: Oren Stephans, Combine with Observation Platform
- 1st Place Online Display: Lee Weiss, Lunchtime at Reaghans
- 1st Place Offline Structure: Joe Sharp, Waterfront Willies
- 1st Place Offline Display: Jim Gore, Hunters Mercantile
- 1st Place Freight Car: Darrin Kerwin, Penn Central Covered Hopper
- 1st Place Color Prototype Photo: Darrin Kerwin, Passing Trains
- 1st Place B&W Prototype Photo: Darrin Kerwin, Night Train
- 1st Place Arts and Crafts: Jill Perkins, Vacation Scrapbook
Three Merit awards were given at the Contest as well. Additionally, the SSR has recently awarded six Merit awards, four AP Certificates, and a Golden Spike. Jim Morse, of Cape Coral, received his Golden Spike Award for his work on his On30 layout. Rod Perkins was "reissued" AP Certificates for Motive Power and Association Volunteer, which he had earned back in 1980 while in the Central Region. The Certificates had been lost in a fire. Rick Shoup was the National AP Chairman at that time, so Rick signed Rod's new issues. Dennis Little has received AP Certificates for Cars and Chief Dispatcher. This makes seven and he has applied for his MMR.
Following the Sunshine Region Board of Directors meeting Sunday morning, the layout tours began. All the layouts were outstanding. Convention attendees reported having a very enjoyable time at this convention and they all look forward to the next convention. More photos of the convention are available on the Sunshine Region web site, www.sunshineregion.org
Getting Started
in Model Railroading
The NMRA has developed the "Introduction To Model Railroading" to introduce people to model railroading. Our goal is to help those who are interested in building a model railroad but who have never done it before or to assist those who may have a simple track plan and now want to learn more.
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