Achievement Program
The NMRA Achievement Program (AP) is an educational program designed to help model railroaders grow their skills, explore new areas of the hobby, and receive recognition for their accomplishments. The program covers many aspects of model railroading, including model building, scenery, structures, trackwork, electrical work, operations, writing, and service to the NMRA.
The AP is not just about earning certificates. It also serves as a guide for learning new skills, finding project ideas, improving your modeling, and sharing knowledge with others in the hobby.
Golden Spike Award
A great place to begin is the Golden Spike Award. While it is not one of the eleven AP certificates, it is designed as an introduction to the Achievement Program and follows a similar structure. The Golden Spike recognizes basic achievement in three areas: rolling stock, model railroad setting, and engineering.
Achievement Program Certificates
The NMRA Achievement Program includes eleven certificates, organized into four major areas:
Model Railroad Equipment
- Master Builder – Motive Power
- Master Builder – Cars
Railroad Setting
- Master Builder – Structures
- Master Builder – Scenery
- Master Builder – Prototype Models
Railroad Engineering & Operation
- Model Railroad Engineer – Civil
- Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical
- Chief Dispatcher
Service to the Hobby
- Association Official
- Association Volunteer
- Model Railroad Author
Master Model Railroader®
The title of Master Model Railroader® (MMR®) is one of the highest honors in the hobby. To qualify, an NMRA member must earn at least seven of the eleven AP certificates, including at least one certificate from each of the four major areas listed above.
Members who achieve MMR® status are also encouraged to share their experience with others, including through programs such as Modeling With The Masters®.
Get Started
Whether you are interested in earning the Golden Spike Award, beginning your first AP certificate, continuing work already in progress, or having current or past work evaluated, the Chesapeake Division can help.
Please contact the Chesapeake Division AP Coordinator for more information.
Chesapeake Division MMR and AP Certificate Awardees
| Certificate Category | Members |
|---|---|
| Master Model Railroader | David E. Renard, #35 (1971) Kurt Thompson, #619 (2019) Pat Flash, #809 (2025) |
| Master Builder – Motive Power | Robert Price, 2022 |
| Master Builder – Cars | Kurt Thompson, 2014 Patrick Flash, 2025 |
| Master Builder – Structures | Kurt Thompson, 2018 |
| Master Builder – Scenery | Thomas Casey, 2018 Patrick Flash, 2022 Scott Wooddell, 2026 |
| Master Builder – Prototype Models | |
| Model Railroad Engineer – Civil | Samuel Shepherd, 2009 Kurt Thompson, 2014 Jeroen Gerritsen, 2016 Patrick Flash, 2022 Jim Fisher, 2025 |
| Model Railroad Engineer – Electrical | Samuel Shepherd, 2009 Kurt Thompson, 2013 Jeroen Gerritsen, 2016 Dick Schwanke, 2019 Patrick Flash, 2022 Jim Fisher, 2025 |
| Chief Dispatcher | John P. Stralka, 2010 David Arday, 2019 Dick Schwanke, 2019 Scott Wooddell, 2026 |
| Association Official | Kurt Thompson, 2019 Kirk Bateman, 2026 |
| Association Volunteer | Russell F. Forte, 2014 Thomas Casey, 2018 John P. Stralka, 2018 Danial Fisher, 2021 Jim Fisher, 2022 Jeff Burch, 2022 Kirk Bateman, 2023 Patrick Flash, 2024 Gregory Meeks, 2026 |
| Model Railroad Author | Karl Bond, 2009 Bruce B. Blackwood, 2021 Jim Fisher, 2022 Patrick Flash, 2024 |
| Golden Spike Award | Alan Anderson, 2007 Robert Mohr, 2011 Scott Wooddell, 2026 |