Division 2 Achievement Program

The NMRA Achievement Program is a way to learn skills of the hobby to become better modelers, with challenges and acknowledgement of your achievements along the way to becoming a Master Model Railroader. Learn more at NMRA Achievement Program.

Our Achievement Program Chair Dennis Vaccaro has been working with members to earn merits and receive their Master Model Railroader certificates. Here is a summary the their work and achievements:

Achievement Program: Dennis Vaccaro handed out certificates to members who are working on their MMR Merit Awards that got a high score in their judging. Assistant Superintendent George Pandelios received Merit Awards for his scratchbuilt Weirton Steel Scrap Buggy (Cars), Weirton Steel Caboose (Cars), and Weirton Steel Pipe Bridge (Structures). Chief Clerk Keith DeVault received a Merit Award for his scratch-built Covered Bridge (Structures) and got his first two Achievement Certificates for Association Official and Association Volunteer.

Merit Awards and Certificates - 2026

• Jim Braum
  • Merit Award: Civil Engineering (Jan. 2026)
  • Certificate: Civil Engineering (Jan. 2026)

Master Model Railroader Certificates - 2025

• Ken Hanawalt MMR 792 - (May 2025)

Merit Awards and Certificates - 2025

• Dennis Coglianese
  • Certificate: Association Official (Sept. 2025)
• 
  Keith DeVault
  • Merit Award: Structures - Covered Bridge (June 2025)
  • Certificate: Association Official (June 2025)
  • Certificate: Association Volunteer (June 2025)
  • Certificate: Chief Dispatcher (Oct. 2025)
• 
  Ken Hannawalt MMR 792
  • Merit Award: Cars (March 2025)
  • Certificate: Structures (March 2025)
  • Certificate: Cars (May 2025)
• 
  George Pandelios
  • Certificate: Association Volunteer (Jan. 2025)
  • Merit Award: Cars - Weirton Steel Scrap Buggy (June 2025)
  • Merit Award: Cars - Weirton Steel Caboose (June 2025)
  • Merit Award: Structures - Weirton Steel Pipe Bridge (June 2025)
• 
  Richard Reichenbach
  • Golden Spike Award (June 2025)

Merit Awards and Certificates - 2024

• Jim Braum
  • Merit Award: W&LE 100 ton Hopper (Jan. 2024)
  • Merit Award: W&LE Business Car #1940 (June 2024)
  • Certificate: Master Car Builder (Nov. 2024)
• 
  John Dramm
  • Merit Award: (June 2024)
• 
  Tom Gaus
  • Golden Spike Award: Plum Creek RR (May 2024)
• 
  Ken Hannawalt MMR 792
  • Golden Spike Award: Turtle Creek RR (Jan. 2024)
  • Merit Award: Civil - Turnout (May 2024)
  • Merit Award: Civil - Gauntlet Turnout (May 2024)
  • Merit Award: Civil - Gauntlet Track (May 2024)
  • Merit Award: Scenery: HO Turtle Creek Railroad (May 2024)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Locust Street Crossing Tower (111 points)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Northern Pacific Coaling Tower (110 points)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Pickle Factory (107 points)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Turtle Creek RR Signal Towers (111 points)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Water Tank (90 points)
  • Merit Award: Structures: Norwood (Ohio) Tower (113 points)
  • Certificate: Civil (May 2024)
  • Certificate: Dispatcher (Jan. 2024)
  • Certificate: Volunteer (May 2024)
  • Certificate: Scenery (May 2024)
• 
  Michael Hohn
  • Merit Award: Structures: Alderson Depot (June 2024)
• 
  Richie Jodon
  • Merit Award: N scale two stall engine House (Jan. 2024)
• 
  George Pandelios
  • Merit Award: O scale open hearth furnaces (Jan. 2024)
• 
  Kevin Squire
  • Merit Award: Penn Central N5K Caboose #18443 (Mar. 2024)

Master Model Railroader Certificates - 2023

• Susan Werner MMR 729 - (March 2023)


• Richard Turton MMR 734 - (April 2023)

Merit Awards and Certificates - 2022-2023

• Frank Benders
  • Certificate: Volunteer (Oct. 2023)
• 
  Jim Braum
  • Merit Award: Car (June 2023)
• 
  Mike DeSensi
  • Golden Spike Award (June 2022)
  • Certificate: Scenery (June 2023)
• 
  Ken Hanawalt MMR 792
  • Certificate: Electrical (Oct. 2023)
• 
  Ray Helster
  • Merit Awards: Structure (Nov. 2022), Structure (Feb. 2023)
  • Certificate: Structures (April 2023)
• 
  Mike Hohn MMR 334
  • Certificate: Civil (April 2022)
• 
  Richie Jodon
  • Certificate: Volunteer (Aug. 2023)
• 
  Laura Jodon
  • Certificate: Volunteer (Aug. 2023)
• 
  George Pandelios
  • Merit Award: Structure (April 2023)
• 
  Kevin Squire
  • Golden Spike Award (June 2023)
• 
  Richard Turton MMR 734
  • Merit Awards: Scenery, Track Work, Structure (Jan. - June 2022)
  • Certificates: Scenery, Civil, Electrical, Structures (Aug. 2022)
• 
  Susan Werner MMR 729
  • Merit Awards: Scenery, Track Work, Car (Jan. - Oct. 2022)
  • Certificates: Scenery, Civil, Electrical, Cars (Jan. 2022 - Feb. 2023)

Merits are for getting 87.5 or more points for a judged model. Certificates are for completion of a program segment (scenery, civil engineering, structures, etc.). Accumulation of Merit Awards lead to Certificates.