I am beginning to look at the NMRA Achievement Program again. Back in the 1990’s I earned an achievement certificate for Association Volunteer. I entered a few NMRA model contests and earned 6 merit awards for structures. We moved several times and I never completed the work needed for Master Builder Structures. I have since moved to my present (and last location). I have scratch built several structures and built 6 FSM kits. My renewed interest in the Achievement Program actually comes because of my recently departed father-in-law. He was an electrical engineer with Bell Labs. He has been the electrical “brains” behind my new layout. I have done all of the work myself but he helped me understand wiring a lot more. I am using Digitrax DCC for command control. I have built 2 control panels with red and green LEDs for turnout indication (I use the Tortoise switch machines). I am building an 8 track yard with a 130 foot turntable and roundhouse. My goal is for the AP certificate for electrical engineer in honor of my father-in-law. My question is whether or not the Digitrax DCC will satisfy conditions for the certificate. They want at least 5 different isolated blocks, at least one crossover, a siding, away to store at least 2 locomotives, and a way to turn the locomotives. The DCC will allow all of that, and my turntable will turn the locomotives. But what about the block system. Any advice? I would love to earn that certificate.
I suggest you email your achievement chairman. For MER which includes North Carolina here’s the MER achievement page http://mer.nmra.org/Achievement.html. If you’re in a Division, they may well have an achievement representative also.
Good luck in your pursuit of the certificate.
Paul
Craig:
There is an active yahoo group that was set up to help NMRA members work on the AP. There are a number of MMRs on the list and some of the AP staff as well.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/NMRAAP
Join and post your question and you will get good advice.
Bruce Wilson
Barrie, Ontario
Short answer… Yes!
From the Requirements:
- For conventional DC wiring (non-command-control), five electrical blocks that can be controlled independently. For command control wiring (DCC, TMCC, and others), sufficient gaps and switches to maintain polarity, phase if needed, and troubleshooting.
Don’t make any of them more difficult than they are… Too many people read things into the requirements. Make sure you have the current (2006) printing of the requirements, and read over the explanations here: http://www.nmra.org/education/achievement/ap_electric.html
Have fun! The electrical was my first Certificate, and it was done using Digitrax DDC.
Good luck!
73
(aside to Bruce: Howdy, it appears we are in the same NMRA Region. I am the Division Superintendent of the Lakeshores Division to the South of you…)