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NMRA Master Model Railroader Patch

Working on those Certificates

Editors Note: During the past several months we have provided information about becoming a Master Model Railroader. We hope that this information will inspire members to work on becoming a Master Model Railroader. This article also fits with our efforts to expand interest in our operating sessions.

To qualify for the Chief Dispatcher certificate you must have participated in the operation of a model railroad, either home or club, for not less than fifty hours. A minimum of ten hours each must have been served in three of the five categories listed below, one of which must be #5, Dispatcher:
Engineer (mainline freight, passenger, or wayfreight)
Yardmaster (or station master)
Hostler (or power desk)
Towerman (or traffic manager, or road master)
Dispatcher

This experience shall be accumulated on one or more model railroads having at least two mainline trains plus yard switching in simultaneous operation. Some system of freight and passenger car movements, including road switching, shall be used for controlling train activity.

Engineer: Mainline Passenger or Freight Engineer: Shall run their train in a manner that simulates the prototype, following the rules of the model railroad being used, and operating according to the signal system (if present) or by direct instruction of the Dispatcher.

Wayfreight Engineer: Will meet the requirements of Mainline Engineer. In addition, he or she shall perform all required switching with approval from the Dispatcher in a manner not to adversely affect the overall railroad schedule or operations.

Yardmaster: Runs the freight yard. He or she makes up trains with the appropriate cars in the desired numbers to have trains ready when the timetable or Dispatcher requires them. Generally, the Yardmaster operates the switch engine, but in a large yard could direct other yard engineers.

Station master: Is in charge of the passenger station and all passenger switching. He or she makes up trains with the appropriate consists so that the trains are ready when the timetable or Dispatcher requires them. Terminating trains are broken down appropriately and the cars are serviced and stored as needed. Through train switching is accomplished.

Hostler: Shall run the engine facilities. He or she shall have each locomotive facing the correct direction, double-headed or lashed up, ready for the Engineer to easily leave the engine area. Service to locomotives shall be simulated. Returning locomotives are placed in their appropriate stalls or tracks. On layouts with advanced control systems, the Hostler can handle assignment of locomotives to the appropriate engineer' s throttle.

Power Desk: Decides the correct motive power for each train. Assigns throttle control to motive power. When assignment is finished, he or she returns control of that motive power to the Hostler, or to off.

Towerman: Operates one or more towers (control panels) on a layout. He or she sets up appropriate routes at the correct time under direction of the timetable or the Dispatcher. Reports train passings to dispatcher if required.

Traffic Manager: Determines which cars come and go from each industry, and the amount and location of traffic, and specifies the route. May create a computer program to do this automatically.

Road Master: The operating trouble-shooter and repair person. He or she keeps things moving smoothly. Can take track in or out of service.

Dispatcher: Coordinates all train movements, either by sequence, timetable and fast clock, or other operating system.

Documentation: The applicant shall also do the following: (please note that the use of a computer to accomplish these requirements is acceptable)

Statement of Qualification The applicant must submit a completed Statement of Qualification (SOQ) which shall include the following:

The signed witnessed "Certification of Operation" showing that all the requirements have been met and the applicant has operated a model railroad in a prototypical manner.

NOTE: Please refer to official current NMRA sources for a complete list of requirements for this award.