who comes to you at the end of the session with his car, and
says “I didn’t think I was going to be that interested in this, but
now I am and I think I will come run this car.” Even if it is only
one out of 27, that’s one more addition to the hobby, and pos-
sibly to the club.
At the end of day, I asked the Merit Badge Academy staff for a
copy of the roster, beyond the one I turn in for processing. This
has the list of the 27 Scouts on it. That’s 27 volunteer points
towards AP Volunteer. I think 20 Scouts might be a better num-
ber for the next Merit Badge Academy, but either way will put
me over the top.
James has spent the last 30+ years working
in the IT field as a programmer and database
administrator for a variety of companies. He
also holds the rank of Eagle Scout.
His first HO train was a Tyco Illinois Central
Gulf Alco 430 with matching caboose. This
lead to a father and son layout in the base-
ment, Model Railroading Merit Badge, and a long term interest in
Model Railroading.
In 1997, one of his structures was shown as part of the TV com-
mercial for the Ronald McDonald House Christmas charity layout
at the mall. He is currently a member of the H. B. Plant Railroad
Historical Society, home to the Mineral Valley Railroad.
Railroading Merit Badge - 5
MRH-Mar 2013
