Congrats to Jack Verducci

[Rene Schweitzer]

I'm sure many of you will recognize Jack's name. He's been our "Garden railway design & construction" columnist since 1996, and builds garden railroads professionally.

Jack emailed me today to let me know that he's recently been given NMRA's title of Master Model Railroader, based on his merits of garden railroading. He is #363 to earn this award--and it might be a first for our hobby.

Congrats to Jack!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Hi Rene, I've been watching the Workin On The Railroad series on DIY, and was wondering: many of the guests have had the title Master Model Railroader under their names. Are all of them NMRA masters, or is this just a TV gimmick? They really shouldn't be using that wording if if they haven't earned the title.

The reason I ask is because you seem to know what is going on with the show, and you have recognized Jack's accomplishment.

I've been a member of the NMRA for over 30 years, and have pondered the Achievement Program many times, but never got started. There are a few catagories that I would have big trouble with, and others that would be a breeze.

This is probably why in over 70 years of NMRA history, Jack is only #363. You have to be well rounded within the hobby, and most of us aren't willing to junp through all the hoops.

Way to go Jack! "Doctor of Model Railroading".

[Rene Schweitzer]

Big Boy,
Unfortunately, I'm unable to get DIY on my cable system, but I asked a few folks around here about that series. DIY has worked with Kalmbach and gotten leads, info, etc. from us. The few names I know were/are on the show are definately MRRs. I would think that a cable series such as this one would be truthful about such titles. From what I've heard, the producers of the series are honest guys.

[Rene Schweitzer]

I have updated information! I spoke with Kent Johnson, who is in some of the videos, about the title of "master model railroader." He says that they are using that for nearly everyone as a blanket title--someone who's an expert. Kent says that there indeed are NMRA MMRs on the show, but unfortunately, they aren't pointed out as such.

I hope this clears up the confusion.

[Tom The Brat]

Now that's an accomplishment!

[Big_Boy_4005]

Thanks Rene, it's not really about deception, because I don't think they would do it on purpose. The vast majority of the audience probably doesn't know the difference, but to those who do, MMR is earned, much like the title Dr. Just ask Jack.[;)]

I've been taping the show since the second week. It's pretty good, but there are things that could be done better with the time available. I have a tendancy to be a pretty harsh critic because I have been in this hobby so long, and have seen and done so many things. Ask *** Christianson about me, and say hi to Marc too.[8D]

[kstrong]

Congrats, Jack! That's certainly no small accomplishment. I've been prone to look at the requirements myself from time to time. For the uninitiated, think of it as Eagle Scout for model railroaders. And for a garden railroader to achieve this is very exceptional. Many requirements are difficult to achieve in small scales, let alone large scale.

Later,

K

[Marty Cozad]

Thanks for letting us know.
I'd love to see Jack come visit this forum once and awhile and maybe write up in GRYs what it took to fulfill the NMRAs specs to gain this title.
Meaning what hoops he had to go through to get those folks to look at him.

[Anonymous]

Congradulations Jack!

[Anonymous]

Congratulations to Jack! Definitely an auspicious distinction and one that takes a lot of hard work to achieve.

I'm sorry to learn that a TV show is just using the term for anyone they consider an "expert." Mast Model Railroader is a title that really belongs to those few who are willing to work for it, and who are judged by their peers to be worthy of the distinction.

Jack definitely is a master! I had the pleasure of visiting his layout during the San Jose NMRA National Convention, and have followed his efforts at sharing the hobby for a long time.