Looking for adventure or a challenge related to model railroading? New to the hobby or just want to know more about the National Model Railroader Association's (NMRA) Achievement Program (AP). The NMRA AP is all of this and more, as well as the fact that you, yes YOU, can become a Master Model Railroader (MMR) by completing the necessary AP certificates.

Participation in the AP is voluntary and all NMRA members are welcome and encouraged to participate. The AP will help you to learn about railroading by taking you on a journey through a series of AP certificate activities where you will learn and master the knowledge, crafts, and skills necessary to be successful in the hobby of model railroading and learn about the working and operational aspects of a real railroad. On the journey you can receive incentives, in the form of AP certificates awarded, when you meet AP standard for each category. You only need a total of seven AP certificates, in the appropriate categories, to achieve becoming a MMR.

The Potomac Division AP Coordinator is Martin Brechbiel, MMR # 629, who is available to answer questions and if he can't he will find someone who can. He can be contacted by email at Achievement-Program@potomac-nmra.org or phone at 703-309-3082.

Complete information on the NMRA AP and its requirements can be found on the NMRA AP website page. The requirements they may appear difficult but in reality they are very achievable. If you experience difficulty there is plenty of help available through several AP related websites, groups, fellow AP participants, and the Region's and Division's Master Model Railroaders who have been there and done that. They can explain how to meet the AP requirements.

The NMRA Achievement Program web page provides an overview of the AP, its objectives, and contains the requirements for each of the AP certificates and instructions on how to prepare the necessary  certificate application package, including the necessary forms, for each of the eleven certificate categories. Also, there is a link to a website page that contains additional links to a series of articles referred to as "The Master's" articles. This series of articles provides practical guidelines on how to meet the requirements of each of the eleven AP categories. Although the articles were written in the 1991-1993 time frame, much, if not all, of the information presented in them is still relevant.

Some AP certificates require an evaluation (judging) of the modeler's efforts by judge(s), a group local NMRA members of at least one of them has already earned a certificate in the area being judged, which can happen at NMRA events or you can contact the Division's AP Coordinator to arrange for a judges to visit your layout.

A good source of advice for meeting the specific requirements for a specific AP certificate is a NMRA member that has earned the AP certificate in question.

Click here for a list of Potomac Division Members who are AP Certificate holders and on their way to becoming an MMR.

Click here for a list of the Potomac Division Master Model Railroaders.