September/October 2022

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President's Message
Gordy Robinson MMR®

Just like that it's September again and Fall, marking the start of the modelling season. Last month we held our first in-person National NMRA convention since 2019 in St. Louis, MO. It was fantastic to be joined by over 800 of you at the event -- a welcome return to normality for both attendees and especially your national team who have met virtually since the winter of 2020. There were the usual convention activities, the contest, clinics, tours, the special interest groups, Modeling with the Masters™ and a welcome return of the Operations Roadshow.


During the convention the NMRA launched the Women in Model Railroading Special Interest Group. You can find more information at nmra.org/sigs/women-in-model-railroading. It is free to join this group and you can do so online. We also announced the NMRA Interchange -- an online messaging & discussion application that will allow members to be connected around the globe through voice, video and text. We will be making the NMRA Interchange available to members later this Fall.


If you enjoyed St. Louis or are disappointed that you missed out, registration is now open for next year’s NMRA National Convention in Grapevine, TX. For more information about our 2023 convention, and to register, please head over to 2023texasexpress.com


Gordy MMR®

NMRA President

2023 National Convention

The 2023 National Convention is the Texas Express, to be held August 20-26, 2023 in Grapevine, Texas in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. The venue is the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center:

Check the convention website for up-to-date information. Please note that the $100 surcharge that was listed for those attendees who do not wish to stay at the Gaylord was removed. The surcharge was typically used in past Lone Star Region Conventions, and it was inadvertently added to the 2023 National Convention registration. We realize this caused some angst among members, and we do apologize. 


if you need to contact any member of the Convention Committee, visit: 2023texasexpress.com/committee.html

The 2023 Texas Express Committee is looking forward to seeing y'all in Grapevine!

NMRA Awards and Honors 2022

Rick Coble

NMRA Vice-President

The following individuals have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the NMRA.


Honorary Life Membership

This is the the highest honor the NMRA can bestow upon one of its present or past members. It shall be given only in recognition of outstanding elective or voluntary service to the NMRA.

 

  • Paul Voelker 

 

The Distinguished Service Award

Awarded to those who have, directly or indirectly, member or non-member, given outstanding service to the hobby

 

  • Kevin EuDaly
  • Joe Fugate

 

Pioneer in Model Railroading

Awarded to individuals who through their contributions have advanced the hobby of model railroading

 

  • Bob Phelps, 1937-2022

 

The President's Award

Given by the NMRA President for outstanding service to the NMRA

 

  • Riley Triggs

 

President's Award for Division Service

This is awarded by the NMRA President to one individual in a Division in each Region per year, who has done outstanding "beyond-the-call-of-duty" work to make his or her local Division effective, engaging, and welcoming to members. Individuals are recommended to the NMRA President by the NMRA National Board of Directors, National Officers, or Region Presidents, as appropriate, and preferably with the guidance of the Region Officials.


  • Australasian, Merv Bagnall
  • British, Chris James
  • Lone Star, George Zapalac
  • Mid-Eastern, Ernie Little, MMR®
  • Mid-Central, Robert Osborn
  • Mid-Continent, Whit Johnson
  • Midwest, Allen Byrne
  • Niagara Frontier, Pat Rivard
  • North Central, no nominee
  • Northeastern, Tage Erickson
  • Pacific Coast, Pete Birdsong
  • Pacific Northwest, Burr Stewart, MMR®
  • Pacific Southwest, Annette Palmer
  • Rocky Mountain, Allen Grasmick
  • Southeastern, Richard Fulkerson
  • Sunshine, Jim Robertson
  • Thousand Lakes, Mike Kaufman

 

Meritorious Service Award

Reflects dedicated and long-term service by a member for participation in one or more of the various administrative departments and/or committees of the association. The respective Department Head selects the recipient. 


  • Peter Youngblood, MMR®
  • Larry Eggering
  • Mark Juett

Volunteers Needed

The NMRA is run by volunteers. Get involved by contributing your expertise and time.


Education Department


The Education Department is looking for volunteers to help in the Data Sheet program, including chairing the program.


Data sheets have been an important online reference offered by the NMRA to members for many decades. Subjects include tools and adhesives, scenery, track, yard design, motive power rolling stock, online and commercial structures, electrical components of layout wiring, and operations, as well as prototype information. Individual data sheets are reviewed and updated periodically for currency and accuracy.


The chair would work with the Education Department head, Michael Hohn, MMR®, to carry out review and promotion of the Data Sheet program. Tasks would include organizing the review of data sheets, updating current data sheets, working with the NMRA Information Technology Department on the data sheet web pages, and reporting progress and benefits of the program to members.


Please contact Michael Hohn at educate@nmra.org


Marketing Department


There are several opportunities listed below which require more volunteers. The Department Manager will be overseeing the projects and giving general direction, so none of you will be left on your own. If you feel you can contribute, or to get more details, please contact Christina Zambri at marketing@nmra.org.


  • Someone to create a spreadsheet with Region and Division websites, local publications, contact names, and social media links.
  • Someone to create updated or new marketing materials. Our current materials can be found here. Ideally, two volunteers would work together. We'd like a fresh, modern look that is inclusive, and highlights member benefits.
  • Someone to create an updated video similar to the one found here. Shorter ones are needed that highlight current member benefits. Numerous videos are available to provide short segments. Some funding is available.
  • Someone to reach out to hobby shops, museums and railroad (model or otherwise) attractions for participation in our discount program. This could form a new component of our Partnership Program. 
  • Someone to reach out to women in the hobby to add to our Women in Model Railroading master list.


New Volunteers


All NMRA Departments are actively recruiting new volunteers year-round, so if you want to share your experience & skills and help the NMRA deliver something you are really passionate about, then please reach out to me.


Gordy Robinson

NMRA President

president@nmra.org

Standards and ConformanceDepartment Restructuring

Andy Zimmerman

Manager, S&C

The Standards and Conformance team has been restructured and revitalized. Lead by S&C Manager Andy J. Zimmerman, the team has 4 functional areas:

  • Conformance and Inspection Manager and Deputy S&C Manager: Mark Juett
  • DCC Working group Manager: Lawrence (Larry) Eggering
  • Mechanical Group Manager: Kurt Kramke, Deputy Manager: Gary Butts
  • Electrical Manager: Andy Zimmerman

 

The Conformance & Inspection team has seen some solid growth with Mark Juett at the head of the C&I team. Mark moved over from the DCC Working group and has 15 active members. In the last 6 months the C&I team has written up 9 Conformance warrants and as many articles.

 

The DCC working group led by Larry Eggering boasts a team of 49 manufacturers and volunteers collaborating on DCC Standards. While not everyone attends every meeting, there is a solid consistency in attendance and revitalized interest in what the NMRA brings to the table.

 

The S&C is creating a new group consisting of DCC manufacturers and locomotive manufacturers in a collaborative effort to research and develop new technologies and standards to encourage innovation while maintaining adherence to current and developing standards. This has been enthusiastically accepted by many that wanted to see something like this in the past.

Head Office Updates

Jenny Hendricks

NMRA Office Manager

If you have a change of address, email address, or contact information, please notify HQ so that we can update your records at hq@nmra.org


Unfortunately, we were unable to release the Label Project for 2022 due to printer/paper supply issues. Preparations are already underway and the Label

Project will return in 2023.


In the meantime, the Calendar team is finalizing information for the 2023 Calendar Project.


If the Administrative staff can be of assistance please do not hesitate to contact us at hq@nmra.org


Thank you for being a member!
Notice of 2023 Elections
Mike Cummings
NMRA Secretary

The following NMRA Board of Directors positions are open for election in 2023:

 

  1. Central District Director,
  2. Canadian Director, NMRA Canada President, NMRA Canada Vice President, and
  3. Regional Advisory Council (RAC) Director.

 

Thinking Of Running for an NMRA Director or Officer Position?


Please consult the document Thinking about running for an NMRA office?

 

The deadlines for the submission of candidate statements for these positions have now passed. However, candidates may wish to run for these positions by petition and not be subjected to the decisions of the appropriate nominating committees. Requirements for submitting by petition are contained in the CPPM. All submissions by petition shall be received by the NMRA Secretary at secy@nmra.org no later than September 15, 2022.

 

Members with questions about the nominations or the election may contact the NMRA Secretary at secy@nmra.org.

What Do You Think?

Christina Zambri

NMRA Marketing Dept. Manager

As members, your insights and opinions are very much welcomed. What is it about the NMRA that jumps out at you? Why did you join? Why did you renew? What benefits do you enjoy and what else would you like us to offer? What resources do you feel might be needed at the local level to help recruit and retain members? If you have ideas, I'm certainly happy to hear them. Email me at marketing@nmra.org.

Now available to all members*
  • Modeling 1950s Motive Power on the Northern Montana Line
  • Steam in the Garden
  • Braking Device for Grades

* Visit nmra.org/nmra-digital-magazine

Coming soon to all members
  • Gateway 2022 coverage
  • National Contest Results
  • Rule 17 & DCC
  • Celebration Room Exceeds Expectations
Partnership Program
The companies listed below give discounts to NMRA members when orders are placed using a special discount code. You can find descriptions of these companies and their products, links to their websites, and the discount codes on our Partnership Page at  nmra.org/partnerships . Remember you need to be logged into our site as a member to see the codes! Go to nmra.org/user/register to register your name on the website.
Bear Creek Model Railroad
CatzPaw Innovations
Clever Models LLC
CMR Products
Daylight Sales
Deepwoods Software
Deluxe Materials
Digikeijs
Dwarvin
East Coast Circuits
Feight Studios
Gatorfoam
Great Decals!
Green Frog Productions
Hot Wire Foam Factory
K.I.S.S. Method
LaBelle Woodworking
LARC Products
Logic Rail Technologies
MAC Rail
Micro-Mark
Mine Mount Models
Miniprints
MinuteMan Scale Models
Model Railroad Benchwork
Model Train Catalogue
Modelers Decals & Paint
Motrak Models
MRC (Model Rectifier Corp)
Nick and Nora Designs
Northlandz
NScaleWorks
Old West Scenery
Ram Track
RR-CirKits
Rusty Stumps
Scale Model Plans
Scalecoat Paint
Scenery Solutions
Showcase Miniatures
Team Track Models
The N Scale Architect
The Old Depot Gallery
Tichy Train Group
Touch of the Brush
Train Installations
Train Show, Inc.
TRAINZ
Trainmasters TV/MRH Store
TSG Multimedia
UGEARS
Unreal Details
USA Airbrush Supply
WiFi Model Railroad
Upcoming 2022 Conventions
Did you miss?

Thanks to volunteer Tom Bensberg, all NMRA eBulletins and NMRA Dispatches are archived on the NMRA website. Here are a few links to items you may have missed.


eBulletin articles

Dispatches
Newest Master Model Railroader® recipients

713. Michael May (RMR)

714. Thomas Emmett (NER)


"Master Model Railroader" and "MMR" are registered trademarks of the NMRA. A list of all MMRs can be found at nmra.org/master-model-railroaders

Editor: John Bate, Canadian District Director

The NMRA eBulletin is an official bi-monthly production of the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. Publishing Department (Riley Triggs, Manager). Its purpose is to keep every NMRA member informed about organization news and events. If you know of an NMRA member who is not receiving this mailing, please direct them to nmra.org/members to update their email address. If you no longer wish to receive these mailings, please don't mark them as spam. Instead, click the safe Unsubscribe link at the bottom of this page. ©2021 National Model Railroad Association, Inc., P.O. Box 1328, Soddy Daisy TN 37384.
 
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