There are many clubs and organizations in our model railroading community. But, how many can claim all of their members are also members in the NMRA? These organizations recognize the importance of being an NMRA member. Through their membership in their club and NMRA, they are promoting and supporting our hobby. The NMRA recognizes these clubs through its 100% NMRA Club.
With a $50 administration fee and completed application, your organization will become a member in the 100% NMRA Club. Some of the benefits of this organization include:
| $1 Million insurance coverage for your organization. |
| Insurance coverage on all your club's activities, including meetings, conventions and train shows. |
| Receive reduced rates on special insurance for your club layout or collection. |
| Gain worldwide recognition in the NMRA’s monthly publication, Scale Rails. |
| Generate fellowship with other NMRA members |
1. Minimum club membership must be four (4) members.
2. All members of the model railroad club must be members in good standing of the National Model Railroad Association, Inc.
3. It is the clubs responsibility to ensure all club participants are active NMRA members because their insurance is only valid when all members are current NMRA members. Keep in mind expire dates for individual memberships will vary.
4. The club shall apply by submitting a list of club members with their NMRA membership numbers and expiration date.
5. 100% status will be valid for one year from the time the 100% NMRA Club Program Manager approves the application and issues an expiration date. A completed copy of the approved application will be returned to the club for their records. 100% status must be renewed annually.
6. The Scale Rails Editor shall be notified by the 100% NMRA Club Program Manager so that appropriate recognition can be made in the next available issue of the NMRA Bulletin.
7. A qualifying club will receive a certificate noting their achievement. The club will also be eligible to purchase the NMRA model insurance for that year.
8. Clubs are cautioned not to maintain duplicate membership lists to "beat the system". Misrepresentation of club membership rolls can result in cancellation of insurance, possible prosecution for fraud, and individual personal liability for all club members and officers.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Are individual NMRA members covered by the NMRA Liability Insurance Policy?
Yes, individual members are covered by the policy when they are engaged in NMRA business (i.e., conducting clinic or presentation for outside group(s).
My division has members that are not NMRA National Members – are they covered?
Basically, the answer is no. A person must be a member of the NMRA for coverage to apply. Non-NMRA guests at meetings, convention, shows, etc., are not personally covered by our policy but the events are covered by the policy and non-members would only be at risk if they would be specifically named in a claim action. The NMRA would endeavor to have coverage apply as broadly as possible in these situations but there are no guarantees.
In addition, all Regions and Divisions have been instructed that they are not to solicit members that are non-NMRA National members. Certainly, we continue to encourage guests to attend all of our functions (National, Region, Division, 100% NMRA Clubs, SIC).
Can coverage be extended to a home layout tour where the host is a non-NMRA member?
Yes, the requested layout location can be added to our policy for a $25 administration fee (45 days prior to event). Coverage would apply for the day(s) and hours of the event only.
Are show vendors and module layout operators covered by the NMRA policy at a Region, Division event?
Yes, the NMRA as sponsor of the event would be the primary insurance policy applied to claim arising out of the event operations. However, individual groups, vendors, layout operators could also be named in an action and while the NMRA policy would be primary, they also should be aware of the risk and have their own coverage. This is a gray area and anything can happen in a legal proceeding. There is certainly a higher risk for non-NMRA member or individual group if they are specifically found negligent in a claim action.
Does the NMRA Policy cover car and van rentals?
Yes, only for employees and national executives. If your Region or Division needs to rent buses, vans, or cars for event transportation, it is not covered by our policy and specific coverage should be purchased or arranged through the rental company.
Can a non-100% NMRA Club purchase Model Insurance?
Yes, a non-100% Club can become a sustaining members of the NMRA and apply through J. A. Bash for coverage.
Can a non-100% NMRA Club purchase Liability Coverage through National?
No, a Club must be 100% NMRA to qualify for NMRA Liability Coverage. They can however contact J. A. Bash to purchase a separate Liability Policy.
How can I get a certificate for a landlord or location for an NMRA sponsored event, if requested?
The HQ Administration Department will continue to process all requests for specific site certificates and there will continue to be $25 administration fee for each certificate request. This will be charged to each 100% NMRA Club for any certificate showing a requesting party as an Additional Insured for an event. You do not need a specific certificate for each event unless the landlord or location of the event requires one.
Can more than one certificate be requested for a $25 administration fee?
Yes, basically each time you send a request to HQ a $25 fee will be assessed. A single request can include multiple certificate requests for a number of events (Division meetings, etc.).
Where do I report a possible claim from a event or activity?
Call HQ as soon as possible and she will notify our agent (J. A. Bash & Co. – Pittsburgh).
One of our event site providers has asked for a copy of our insurance policy, can we get a copy?
No. We do not provide copies of our policy to any outside organization but will discuss any and all issues upon request. Please let us know if you have a problem with any site risk manager or official that may need additional information about the NMRA coverages.
Will organizations outside of the US and Canada receive this insurance coverage?
All officially sponsored NMRA (by 100% NMRA organizations) events in the US and Canada are covered. Unfortunately, we are not able to get coverage extended beyond the US and Canada at this time.
The NMRA is the National Model Railroad Association, Inc. It is a
non-profit educational association whose purpose is both to promote the hobby of
model railroading, and to help set standards within the industry.
But the NMRA is far more personal than that. The NMRA is people… people across the globe, people in your area, and people just down the street who love model railroading and want to help others get that same enjoyment out of the hobby.
Read on. You'll see that the NMRA is many things to many people.
Members at all levels of the NMRA are eager to share their knowledge and friendship.
Divisions There are over 150 NMRA Divisions – groups of NMRA members in local communities. Most hold regular meetings featuring interesting and informative presentations on subjects ranging from "how-to" clinics to prototype railroad slide presentations. Many also have a regular newsletter for members.
Regions There are 18 NMRA Regions across the globe and each Region is made up of many Divisions. Regions usually hold annual or semi-annual conventions which can include presentations and clinics, as well as tours to model layouts, prototype tours, and even banquets and swap meets. All Regions have a member newsletter.
National Every summer the NMRA National Convention brings together its members for a week of clinics, contests, layout tours, prototype excursions, the "National Train Show®", and dozens of other exciting activities. Every year it's held in a different city, so it makes an ideal family vacation.
Being a member of the NMRA entitles you to a multitude of services, all geared toward expanding your enjoyment of the hobby. You'll find most of these services listed below in the "Why Join" section.
Every month our large, four-color magazine, Scale Rails, will update you on NMRA activities on a Divisional, Regional, and National level. It also includes informative modeling or prototype articles.
In addition, NMRA members have exclusive access to Tape/Slide Clinics, Data and Standards Sheets, The Pike Registry, and dozens of other resources.
When the NMRA was founded in 1935, model railroading was in its infancy, without standards that ensured interchangeability. The NMRA was the organization that set those Standards and Recommended Practices which still guide manufacturers and consumers alike. In fact, the NMRA recently set the manufacturing standards that continue to guarantee the compatibility of different brands of DCC equipment.
The NMRA is also deeply involved with developing both Module standards and Large Scale train standards, again helping to ensure that hobbyists enjoy the many benefits of equipment compatibility.
The Kalmbach Memorial Library just may be the largest railroad reference and research center in the world, containing over 100,000 prototype photos, 6,000 books, and more than 50,000 modeling, prototype and historical society magazines. Every day it answers dozens of members' questions about everything from model to prototype railroading.
NMRA members can get answers to questions; printouts of the periodical database; videotapes and tape/slide clinics, and discounts on research services, photo reproductions, surplus books and magazines
The NMRA's Achievement Program, or "AP," is designed to help modelers improve their skills and get more enjoyment out of their hobby. In addition, it gives recognition to those members who have displayed a high degree of skill or service to the hobby.
The Achievement Program helps give you the skills that let you build a model railroad you can be proud of.
Anyone who thinks a local club can offer the same benefits as the NMRA has never been to an NMRA National Convention. Each summer some of the best modelers from around the world gather to teach, learn, compete in modeling contests, and view some of the best model railroad layouts around.
The convention is capped off by the "National Train Show®", one of the largest shows of its kind in the country. You'll typically find over 150,000 square feet of booths from model railroad manufacturers and dealers, most with special "train show deals" or special model introductions.
In addition, Region and Division conventions and meets give members a chance to gather together to gain knowledge and "talk trains" all year long.
These are some of the many benefits of membership. The blue items link to specific pages on our website, if you'd like to learn more:
| Kalmbach Memorial Library – perhaps one of the finest resources available to anyone interested in railroads or model railroads… members get special discounts and first crack at special releases |
| Fellowship of other modelers |
| The Achievement Program – there's no better way to improve your modeling |
| Regional and National conventions |
| Access to Master Model Railroaders - they come from all over the world to the National convention. MMRs attend most Regional and Divisional functions, too! (MMR list by Number, by Region.) |
| Monthly Scale Rails magazine |
| Participation in the "Modeling With The Masters" program |
| Insurance coverage for club layouts, meets and shows |
| NMRA Standards & Recommended Practices |
| Heritage & Living Legends Collector Cars |
| Participation in photo, slide and model contests with fellow members |
| Members' Aid Program – have a question? We've got the answers |
| Pass Exchange – if you have a model railroad pass, why not exchange it with others? |
| Data Sheets - Need to know the lettering sizes on a Norfolk & Western hopper? Or the corrugation dimensions of metal roofing? It's all here. |
| Pike Registry --Register your model railroad name |
| Tape/Slide and Video Clinics - rent them by mail… perfect for home viewing or club presentations |
| 100 % NMRA Club - The extra benefits of having all of your rail club members also members in the NMRA |
When you're an NMRA member, you're automatically a member of your Region and Division without paying additional dues!
Special local activities at Division or Region meets can include:
| Clinics given by modelers for modelers |
| Region & Division Collector Cars |
| Photo and slide contests |
| Model contests and Popular Vote model contests |
| Dealers tables |
| Layout tours and open houses |
CLASSES OF NMRA MEMBERSHIP
| Member - All Rights and Benefits; Includes NMRA Scale Rails magazine: Cost - $48.00 (US) per year, 2 years for $96.00 (US) |
| Member - All Rights and Benefits; Does NOT include NMRA Scale Rails magazine: Cost - $36.00 (US) per year, 2 years for $72.00 (US) |
| Family Member - The spouse or minor child of above member in good standing. Family Members have no vote in national elections, cannot hold a national level office, and do not receive the NMRA Scale Rails subscription. Family Members receive their own annual renewal notice and membership card. Provide Family Member's name and date of birth in the comments box. Cost - $7.00 (US) per year. |
NOTE: If you are a new NMRA Member, please complete the Member application for yourself as a Member first. Then complete a separate Member application for each family Member. If you are a current NMRA Member adding a family membership, please complete the Member application for the Family Member and note in the "Special Interests, Prototype & Modeling" section of the application your NMRA Member Number and Name for the Family Member to be Linked.
| Student Member - Any person 18 yrs and under or student between the ages of 19 - 25 yrs possessing valid student ID. All Rights and Benefits and the NMRA Scale Rails. (date of birth mandatory on the application). Cost $24.00 (US) per year. |
| Sustaining Member - Mandatory for all group memberships such as Clubs, Associations, Corporations or other Businesses. Sustaining membership includes all the rights and privileges of membership including the "NMRA Scale Rails." The NMRA is a 501 (C) (3) nonprofit educational organization and your professional association as a sustaining member is tax deductible. Any individual may also support the NMRA as a sustaining member in which ½ the cost of membership is eligible as a tax-deductible donation. Cost - $96.00 (US) per year. |
Indicate the type of membership you are selecting on the top of the application form. NOTE: A Re-Rail is anyone who has belonged to the NMRA in the past and the membership has expired. If you were a member prior to 1997, please include your old membership number in the appropriate field.
Allow 2-4 weeks for your application to be processed, to receive your membership card, and in a separate mailing - the New Member Welcome Packet. If you selected a membership that includes the NMRA Scale Rails, it will take 2 monthly issues to integrate your name into the publication mailing list due to publication lead times. You will receive 12 monthly issues.
©2007 Ophir, Tintic and Western Model Railroad Club. All Rights Reserved.