Modelers License?

[willy6]

I have seen this term numerous times on this forum"Modelers License". What exactly is it, how do you get one and if you have one what does it allow you to do?

[Anonymous]

Modelers License is the term that descirbes a model builders creative liberties he has taken with a certain subject.

For example. In a prototype scene the station is on the north side of the tracks. However due to how the model railroad is built, the only place to put the station would be on the South Side of the tracks. Modelers licence allows them to make this compromise. It can take on other forms as well. For examples, I have seen a few modelers streatch a GP30 out to fit over an SD9 chassis and call it an "SD30". In the real world there was no "SD30" But due to some clever model work and Modelers License it does in the model railroad world. Also all those modern locomotives you sometimes see that are painted up for Fallen Flags are modelers licence as well.

I hope this has been helpful.

James

[Anonymous]

Modelers License is fantastic. It allows you to do "whatever you want in order to have in this great hobby." The procedure is very exacting though. First you have to approach the president of your model railroad. And then say the magic words "Hello self . . .I would like my modelers license." I was lucky. The president of my model railroad said "Dave, I like me, I think I am worthy of such license." I now have the ability to do things like: Run a K-4 every so often next to my SD40's, run a NYC subway in Philadelphia, selectively compress whatever building I want to, lay tracks in towns that never existed . . . . and if I get confronted by the "hobby police" I just whip out my license and I"m good to go. Of course it also allows me to build a totally accurate model of a CNJ RDC should I so desire. It's very similar to the "get out of jail" card in Monopoly.

Contact the president of your model railroad immediately and apply for one. You'll enjoy every perk it will bestow on you!!!

[Anonymous]

Aply to the national Model Police for your modelers license. unrealistic modeling without a license will be punished.[:D][:D][:D]

[cwclark]

anybody can get a Modeler's License...What you really want to shoot for is to become a Master Model Builder...

[Anonymous]

I bet some of those Master Model Builder guys have a Modeler's License somewhere! lol.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cwclark

anybody can get a Modeler's License...What you really want to shoot for is to become a Master Model Builder...

Perhaps you are referring to the NMRA's "Master Model Railroader" (MMR) designation? To achieve this level, a modeler must earn seven Achievement certificates in various related fields - Master Builder of Cars, Structures, Scenery, Locomotive, Model Railroad Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer, Author, Volunteer, Association Official, Chief Dispatcher. I think there is one more, but can't recall at this time. Note there are ten/eleven categories, a modeler has to earn seven, one of which must be Volunteer or Official.

It can be a long road to this achievement! I personally have five certificates and about 90% of the work for two more. All I have to do is get off my butt and complete the requirements!

Bob boudreau

[Anonymous]

Bob,

If you're the Bob Boudreau I think you are, and I think you are . .. you're a Master Model Railroader in my book already!

[Noah Hofrichter]

You know, I been thinkin' (a dangerous thing) and I might come up with a little card, simalar to a Drivers licence, that would state I have the right to model unrealisticly (and boy do I ever already). I could where is as a joke at train shows and the like. In fact, I think I'll give that a try........

Noah

[cacole]

And here I was, ready to sell him a Modeler's License for only $5,000 before you people spoiled it for me. [}:)]

[BR60103]

You can get Modeller's License the same place you get Artistic License.

[Anonymous]

The only people who can't apply for a modeler's license are rivet counters...

The nice thing about modeler's licenses are that if they expire, no one notices, you don't have to pay for them, and you don't have to carry around a card to prove you have one![:D][;)]

[krump]

Modeller's Licence = requires mere seconds of your time, get idea, then build it.
Master Model Builder = takes years or decades to achieve (as I've heard)
MMB = is goal for me (my model business)

cheers,
Krump

[GDRMCo]

Mines my signature |
\|/

[CBQ_Guy]

Modelers License needs to be used with great caution and restraint as it can be a two-edged sword. It can be an asset in certain, ideally RARE situations when you run into a problem or want/need to bend reality just a hair.

The down side is that it also can allow you to become lazy by not making any effort to educate yourself about the prototype, of ANYTHING depicted on a model railroad, and therefore creating an unrealistic and/or implausible layout.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CBQ_Guy

Modelers License needs to be used with great caution and restraint as it can be a two-edged sword. It can be an asset in certain, ideally RARE situations when you run into a problem or want/need to bend reality just a hair.

The down side is that it also can allow you to become lazy by not making any effort to educate yourself about the prototype, of ANYTHING depicted on a model railroad, and therefore creating an unrealistic and/or implausible layout.

Nothing wrong with unrealistic or implausable layouts if it serves its purpose, that is to entertain and satisfy its creator.

Whimsey run amok may be a violation of modeler's license but perfectly acceptable if the operator is in possession of a poetic license.

Wayne

[Anonymous]

Muddy Creek

Exactly! Over the years (maybe 30?) I've enjoyed seeing the work of folks that are 100% accurate in their modeling (well other than that electric motor inside a steam engine) and those that are pretty darn close to 100% unrealistic/implausable. As long as the person is having fun they are successful model railroaders in my opinion.

I'm not quite sure why modeler's license should only be used in "rare situations"? Modeler's license is used whenever someone uses less than a 10 foot radius curve on a HO mainline (or something extremely large), when there are less than 870 feet between towns (10 scale HO miles), when we power our "diesel" locomotives with electricity running through the rails, or when we use plastic instead of metal to build our boxcars. Even the hobby greats have used modelers license on more than "rare situations." Tony Koester? The Midland ever existed. John Allen? G&D never existed and no railroad had a dinosaur on its roster. Modeler's license is just that. Its the license a modeler uses to make his/her hobby more enjoyable for himself/herself.

[Fergmiester]

QUOTE: Originally posted by BR60103

You can get Modeller's License the same place you get Artistic License.

And by chance would that be a Cracker Jack box?

Priceless, Don't leave home without it!

[CBQ_Guy]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Muddy Creek

Nothing wrong with unrealistic or implausable layouts if it serves its purpose, that is to entertain and satisfy its creator.

Whimsey run amok may be a violation of modeler's license but perfectly acceptable if the operator is in possession of a poetic license.

Wayne

That may be true, but the original question was "What exactly is it, how do you get one and if you have one what does it allow you to do?" That's the context in which I framed my answer.

[andrechapelon]

QUOTE: Originally posted by dkelly

I bet some of those Master Model Builder guys have a Modeler's License somewhere! lol.

They'd better check the expiration date. I got pulled over last week by the RCMP (Rivet Counting Model Police) and discovered that my modeler's license had expired.

Now I have to take the test.

[censored] [(-D]

Andre

[Paul W. Beverung]

When you get yor modelers license, pick up a few Round Toits. They will come in handy.

Paul

[Anonymous]

I went to get my modeler license and the lady at the DMR(Department of model railroads) told me I had to provide 2 forms of ID and a urine sample and come back on the second Teusday of next week and take the written exam and get a temporary packet.
then she said I could only use the Temp while under direct supervision of a licensed modeler. man they sure are harsh.

[Anonymous]

Polizi,

Man - come over to my railroad - we'll get you one!! All you have to do is say "please." And you must be smiling and must swear only to use the license in order to have fun.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: dkelly Posted: Today, 22:50:29
Polizi,

Man - come over to my railroad - we'll get you one!! All you have to do is say "please." And you must be smiling and must swear only to use the license in order to have fun.

wow and I thought that lady at the DMR was harsh now you want me to smile[V]

Having fun is all I want to do when it comes to my Railroad .

Thanks for the invitation dkelly.

[mikebonellisr]

Sounds like a great gimmick to have framed and hung in your train room.

[Anonymous]

I'm amazed nobody's made a printable "Modeller's License" to do just that with - frame it and put it on the wall!

Modeller's License is a wonderful thing - it allows me to run an Erie-Built on bilevel commuter cars (fiction: The Erie has been re-engined and has HEP fitted), or to have F-units hauling double stack cars (the museum sometimes use their locos on revenue freights for industries on the line). I do think it's important to have a story handy to explain the more unusual consists and scenes though - modelling a museum is one trick and the one I use. Having said that, I'm still trying to explain the SP SD9 seen hauling Metra bilevels recently...

[JPowell]

Oh boy..... Not sure if I can compete with you all now....!!!!!!

[Anonymous]

JPowell,

You got that right. NO ONE has more fun on doing the model railroad thing than me! But I'm sure each and every one of us thinks the same thing - if not we wouldn't be here!!

[Anonymous]

what if ur president says no?

[Anonymous]

Tim,

Hmmmm Good question. Seems like the president of your railroad might be a bit of a grouch. Perhaps you need to suck up some more. Go buy some brand new rolling stock or one of those silky smooth engines. When he/she starts drooling, then say "oops, it isn't prototypcial for your era or geographic region." You'll get your license!