Here is another example from the forum that I think would qualify.

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/t...40&whichpage=1

I think it would prove helpful to those wanting to pursue this certificate for us to include as many links to motive power builds as possible. Here is another on the forum.

http://www.railroad-line.com/forum/t...TOPIC_ID=24776

Hey Bruce et al:

I am in the process of starting my NMRA APs and the "Motive Power certificate" is one of the first ones I am attempting.

I currently have a couple of Backwoods Miniatures 'motive power' kits; namely the following:

Orenstein & Koppel 0-4-4-0 Mallet

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/xokdrg.jpg

0-4-0 Vertical Boilered Steamer

http://www.backwoodsminiatures.com/xvbtdrg.jpg

My question is, would these two kits count towards 2 of the 3 required builds?

Quote from NMRA site:

"Build three scale models of railroad motive power, one of which must be scratchbuilt"

I know that I would then need to scratchbuild 1 additional, but best I can tell these two would qualify as the NON-scratchbuilt ones (just want to be sure).

Thanks!!

To qualify for the certificate, the scratchbuild loco doesn't have to be something as complicated as a steam engine, or even a large diesel. I've heard of modelers making small industrial "critters" to qualify for the award. They can be made from styrene a whole lot easier than having to work with metal.

Some years ago I started scratchbuilding a Trackmobile, from an article in MR to qualify; I already had two other awards for kitbashed locos. I got the required NWSL Flea to power it, and started on the chassis as per plans. Things didn't fit as they were supposed to, and I discovered the Flea that I had was different than the one in the article. I think it would have required doing a different chassis with attachment points. I set the parts aside and never did get back to it. Doubt that I ever will, now that I have a powered RTR Trackmobile.

Louie,

The safe thing is to pass the question past the AP chairman of your division. However, I have to believe that those two would qualify for the two non-scratchbuilt, but super detailed locos.

I agree, thus the reason I sent the email to them yesterday; but alas no answer as of yet...

Yes, I agree. However I want to ensure I get enough points on the non-scratchbuilt locos (thus the reason I chose the two Backwoods Miniatures locos due to the complexity/difficulty) to help offset anything on the scratchbuilt loco.
So it sounds like you have parts enough to build a different style critter [:-bulb]

Boy, if there is one category in the AP program that intimidates the heck out of me, it is this one! So, I will follow along to see what others do. Perhaps, the intimidation will dissolve if I see projects that I think I can do. I know there have been some fantastic models on this forum!

Chuck

Hey Chuck, I guess we have our areas of 'concern/intimidation'... The area I will have to struggle with is the "Service to the Hobby" area. I plan on working on the "Author" AP to satisfy this category.
Luckily I am published so that will count and the postings here will count as well (albeit only 21 points worth). However, I still have a LONG way to go to make up 42 points worth...

They will qualify as long as you get 87 1/2 points for Merit Awards with each.

That can be difficult to do when it is a kit built item....

Be very careful about the one you want to have qualify for being scratchbuilt - be sure to read what parts of it have to be scratchbuilt; failure to address any will force you to go back and re-do whatever, and that's seriously irritating, :erm:

BTW, I have completed this category, too. I built 3 trolleys (There's an option!!!). One was a La Belle kit that I added an interior and a lot of other stuff; the other 2 were scratchbuilt MoW trolleys - I think there's pix of all 3 on this forum somewhere.....

Last week I entered my 'detail/paint/decal/weather' job on an RTR HO P2K BL-2 in the NER contest, 'Kit-Built Diesel & Other':



It earned a Merit Award (barely). I received positive comments on the finish and the workmanship, but also a note that I hadn't modeled the steam heat connection. In my descriptive attachment (quoted below), I forgot to mention backdating the twin sealed-beam headlight:

1. Construction: Detailing, painting, weathering of a Proto 2000 BL-2 to match a B&M prototype circa 1950 - 1957: I worked from published photos of B&M units in different years to identify changes. End handrails were bent and soldered from brass wire. Plastic body parts were cut, filed and filled with styrene, solvent cement and putty.

2. Detail: The stock P2K model is detailed as a late-era Western Maryland unit. For a B&M unit, I removed air cooling coils, many grab irons and MU equipment on the pilots. The truck sideframes are Athearn parts whose journal boxes I backdated using Detail Associates castings. I reshaped the pilots to match B&M. I used the original base portions of the end handrail castings with brass three-stanchion handrails I built. A Custom Finishing brass steam generator casting was notched into the top of the center cab window post.

3. Conformity: The three-stanchion handrails were installed by the B&M about 1950. B&M units had steam generators but no MU. B&M units never

received the extra grab irons and air cooler the WM installed late in the life of their units. B&M engines working in passenger and mixed service out of Boston Engine Terminal received fairly frequent washings in the early 1950s.

4. #1550 was airbrushed with Floquil Weathered Black, Grimy Black and Accu-Paint B&M Maroon. Lettering and striping are Accu-Cal decals.

Weathering was applied with an airbrush to represent an in-service unit receiving fairly frequent washings.

Congratulations on the Merit Award for Motive Power. Step 1 completed, now Step 2 is a scratch built unit.

Regards, Vic B.