Degree in model railroading.

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Question…

Anyone know of any kind of degree being offered in model railroading or courses being taught on the university or college level? This question was asked of me, and I could not come up with an answer.

Could be interesting and possibly viable especially in production and management areas.

HZ

2

Does this help?

Mel Perry, PMFE (Professor of Miniature Ferroequinology Engineering)

  1. Ferroequinology Literally “the study of the iron horse.” (ferros = iron, equine = horse, -ology = study of)

  2. The study of the history of railroads and railroad trains, especially for the purpose of model railroading.

  3. What a railfan practices.

I don’t remember where I got it from, been using it as a signature line in my e-mails for at least ten years. [:)]

But seriously folks, I’m not aware of any credible course in Model Railroading.

Mel

Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since

3

The NMRA has the Achievement Program which can lead to a Master Model Railroader certification.
In a somewhat similar way, State Agricultural Extension Services have Master Gardener Certification Programs where participants earn their stripes through class time and community service.
Neither arise to an accredited degree, but these would be a strong plus if one was considering a position in the respective fields.

Jim

4

I am fairly certain that Wayne has a PhD in model railroading. That’s why they call him doctorwayne. [swg]

Rich

5

I don’t know if any include model railroading, but some schools offer degrees in Leisure and/or Recreation.

Enjoy

Paul

6

There is a guy in another form who goes by Professor Klozir or something - maybe he has a Phd in model railroading?

7

Yeah, tell me what kind of degree you want, send me $3500.00 and I will mail you a diploma. (frame is extra)

Charlie

8

The Boy Scouts still have a Railroading Merit Badge, that includes study of the prototype as well as designing and building a layout.

9

Howard,I have a PHD in modeling from the University of Experience… In fact I was the Valedictorian. My major was “Lessons Learned the hard way 101” and my minor was “Why did I do that? 102”.

10

I have a Third Degree, several in fact. Better half gives them to me when I come back from the train show.

11

Probably not. Several universities/colleges have model railroad clubs, but thats probably the extent of it. The best advice would to be go to the manufacturer’s websites and find out what degree’s are desired. Also speaking Mandarin might be a good skill to have.

12

I guess it would all depend on what type of work one would want to do after graduation, but any number of Liberal Arts schools would offer classes to steer you in any direction. Let’s say you want to work at Model Railroader magazine…maybe get a journalism degree. Some places have courses that incorporate design, like layout and design, into the program. Computer drafting and design could possibly get you into a manufacturing position, but with the imaging and replication processes these days I think those jobs may be disappearing.

If one is just looking to go into massive amounts of debt, be unemployable, and build a model railroad, then any Liberal Arts school will do. All you have to do is take the required clesses they offer and then take which ever other courses you think would benefit you in your endeavours.

13

I bet one of those phony diploma mills will offer an “online” course for “distant learners” if they can be sure of getting the government loan money for the tuition. You could minor in vending machine restocking or perhaps automotive cleaning and detailing. Then work for minimum wage while trying to pay off the student loan.

Charlie

14

My method to avoid the Third Degree is to take my wife with me to train shows and buy her lunch. She makes sure I don’t miss any tables etc.

15

I learned to walk into the house backwards. Then if she catches me I say I was just leaving.

16

I have the Railroading merit badge and also the Model Building merit badge. They do take a certain amount of knowledge and experience to earn and might look good on a resume to certain employers.

I am currently working on the NMRA Master of Model Railroading certificate. While not accredited it will look very nice on a resume.

17

Didn’t Wayne Wesolowski (who is a college teacher) attempt something along those lines? But I am not sure it was for credit.

One could imagine the model train business being used as a “case study” in an MBA course, and engineering classes could certainly take up aspects of the hobby. But for actual modeling what “school” would take it on – the art school? General education? Note in Jim Hediger’s farewell editorial in MR he says he taught “shop” classes in high schools. Not sure what part of an education degree teaches how to do that, but one could imagine model railroading being used there. I recall a high school shop class years ago built most of a live steam locomotive during a semester.

Dave Nelson

18

There are a number of courses of study leading to degrees that are very useful in model railroading, and in the 1:1 scale world:

  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Electrical engineering
  • Civil Engineering

I think you get the drift.

Note that none of these are friendly to the mathematically challenged, or those who abhor heavy academic work. On the other hand, the results are priceless.

Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

19

Bachelor’s degree : http://www.modelrailroadinguniversity.com/bachelors.html

South Penn

20

That’s mainly planning activities for resorts, cruise ships, nursing homes, and such. Except for maybe the nursing home, I doubt there’s much modeling going on.

Are you Heckle or Jeckle?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fp5qkQwMsk&t=0m25s

Steve S