C&E
The Conductor & Engineer (C&E) is a person who has served as a Conductor and Engineer in various model railroad situations, demonstrating experience in operating a train in accordance with applicable rules and directing car movements.
The C&E Achievement requires the applicant to have acted as Conductor, Engineer, or both in ten operating sessions on three different model railroads (not including their home layout or their home club). Additionally, the applicant must pass a comprehensive exam covering those areas that a successful C&E should have command of. This comprehensive exam will cover important information about Train Movements via TT&TO, DTC, TWC (Track Warrants), and CTC. Included in the exam will be generic operating rules and subcategories such as Whistles, Forms, Timetables and Schedules, and more.
The goal is to provide applicants with a course of study that is interesting, enjoyable, and practical. The degree of difficulty will likely make passing “routine” for highly experienced operators; it will be a reasonable challenge for the typical operator who has had experience and does the homework; and it will not be overly daunting for newbies interested in the challenge.
To apply for credit toward the C&E Achievement, applicants must provide reasonable evidence of session attendance with Host name, dates, and a brief description of the session and the role(s) filled by the applicant, and pass the C&E Exam.
Study Guide Materials and Exam Registration Info
If you are considering taking the C&E Exam, you must first request credentials so you can log in to the testing site. Send an email to info@opsig-ap.org from your preferred email address. Subject Line: REGISTRATION. In the body of the email, state your full name. Only current OPSIG members can request credentials and take the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
01
How do I show that I completed the requirement of acting as C&E at 10 operating sessions on 3 different railroads?
On the application, it asks you for a list. Do the best you can to fill it out accurately, ideally with the name of the Host and their email address, the date of the session, and the job you held.
02
Will I get credit if I wasn't on a train acting as its conductor or engineer?
Probably not, but tell us the story and we will do our best to grant credit. We view the requirement as you being wholly or partly responsible for a train going out on the road. As such, other jobs, such as yard work, while important, won’t get you credit toward the C&E.
03
How hard is the exam?
The goal of the organizing committee is to put you through an enjoyable and reasonable course of study to improve and expand your knowledge of operations as it applies to model railroads. If you are new to the hobby, it will take some work, but some of the knowledge you will learn with experience anyway. Other aspects may be things that experienced operators may not have run into yet. We hope and expect the exam to be moderately challenging; if you don’t make it across the line when you take it, come back and try again!
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