The National Model Railroading Association just did something I didn’t expect: it created a brand-new Achievement Program certificate for modular railroading. It’s a tacit admission, at the very least, that modular isn’t just the ugly stepchild of more serious hobby activities, but a legitimate expression unto itself.

It feels like somebody in NMRA leadership has been reading my blog posts a little too carefully. I’m not sure how to feel about that.

I’ve been posting to this blog sporadically for what, eleven years now? Twelve, almost? Every now and then someone I know will mention one of my posts in a face-to-face conversation, but most of the time I just scream into the void and hear no echo. I’m cool with that. I don’t need the external validation of an audience, just like I don’t need the external validation of an AP certificate. The activity is its own reward.

I posted my thoughts on the MMR some time ago, and received a couple of encouraging comments from like-minded acquaintances. I thought about posting a link to the NMRA Discord to, you know, drive engagement (as the kids say) but ultimately didn’t. Life continued as usual. Then the Modular Railroading AP announcement dropped. I looked at the Statement of Qualifications form, which lists the requirements, and suddenly felt as though I was being targeted.

“The Furniture Railroads guy says he wants nothing to do with the Achievement Program, gentlemen!” says a board member, slamming a fist to the conference table for emphasis. “This is a disaster! We have to do something to get him on board, but what?”

“He writes about T-Trak a lot,” replies another. “How about a modular AP?”

A third one chimes in. “Be sure to award evaluation points for ‘quality of framing.’ He lives for that kind of woodworky shit.”

“Ooh, don’t forget ‘reliability under public operation,’ That’s like catnip to him!”

“Betcha something about ‘sensor-activated features’ will get his attention!”

Thus begins the NMRA’s sinister plot to entrap me…

Truthfully, I doubt the NMRA is that interested in my opinions. It’s just my imagination running away with me again. But this particular AP does draw my attention to a degree that the others never have. I mean, it even gives consideration to operational performance, which the existing APs, inexplicably, don’t really do.

I gave the matter further consideration, and my answer is…still no. For now, at least.

Hey, does the thought of receiving formal recognition for your modular railroading achievements excite and motivate you? Great! Go for it. Get ahold of the SOQ form. Do the requirements you haven’t already done. Get the certificate, and hang it up proudly. Don’t let me yuck your yum. Maybe someday, when I’ve already done all the things at my own pace, I’ll do that myself. For now, I’m going to keep doing what I’ve been doing.