The Railroader Badge is conferred upon OPSIG members who have had five years of full-time service on a for-profit, governmental, or quasi-governmental railroad in one of the following positions: Switchman, Brakeman, Fireman, Conductor, Engineer, Yardmaster or Assistant, Dispatcher or Assistant, and other jobs related to the movement of trains, including Signal Maintainer and maintenance of way.

This special badge does not include credit toward the Ninja designation, which requires completion of 8 of the 12 areas of Achievement. However, if the recipient can demonstrate that they have used the expertise they developed in their railroad career for the furtherance of the operations hobby, credit may be granted.

Specific examples might include two occasions of: providing guidance to an operating layout, club, or individual where information, mentoring, and feedback were provided, and/or giving clinics related to their experience. Of course, this is subjective, but the committee encourages applying for credit toward the Operations Ninja after seven other Achievement Awards have been earned by the Railroader Badge holder. Such an application should include an essay addressing the foregoing.

Railroader

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Application

Choose an application category: *

Application for Credit: Author Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Author Qualification / I wrote two widely circulated articles that referred to Operations in a meaningful way

Please tell us about your work in detail or send us copies of your work supplementally to submission (x) opsig-ap.com

or use the Body of Work Exemption if you have written countless articles

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as an Author such as - I have written tons of books and articles such as...

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

largely you for

Application for Credit: Boomer Achievement

Name *

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Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Boomer Qualification / I have attended 3 or more Operating Weekends

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying ops weekends, with approximate dates and event name. Generally to receive credit for attendance the weekend must have occurred 100 miles or more from your home.

OR use the Body of Work Exemption below if you have been a Boomer countless times

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as a boomer such as- I have attended at least 50 weekend events over 20 years...

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: C&E Achievement Award

Submit this form only after you have passed the C&E Exam.

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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City

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

HAVE YOU TAKEN THE OPSIG-AP C&E EXAM AND PASSED? *

Yes I already passed the C&E exam and will continue onward with this form!
Naw, I haven't passed or taken the C&E exam so I will STOP, GO BACK, and NOT continue with this form. We'll happily see you later.

C&E QUALIFICATION

MASSIVE BODY OF WORK EXEMPTION

Additional Comments for Us *

Application for Credit: Clinician Achievement

Name *

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Clinician Qualification / I have been responsible for 3 clinics that were largely about Operations related themes

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying clinics, with approximate dates and event names.

OR use the Body of Work Exemption if you have given a countless number of clinics on OPERATIONS themes

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as a Clinician, such as - I have given many many clinics. However, please note that to qualify for credit, clinics must have been about operations related themes.

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Dispatcher Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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City

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

I was Dispatcher on 3 different layouts

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying sessions, with dates, layout name, owner's name, owner's email. Dispatcher experience is subject to external review, please allow at least 30 days for verification and award!

I Dispatched using 3 different systems

Describe how the experience above meets the requirement for 3 systems such as- DTC, CTC, TT&TO, Warrants, Other. These are examples please feel free to describe other systems.

OR use the Body of Work Exemption below if you have acted as Dispatcher countless times

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience, such as- I have dispatched at scores of sessions sessions over 20 years... but some detail needed here please including confirmation of different systems

Layout Owner Info?

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Host Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Host Qualification / I was principal organizer for 5 Op Sessions

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying sessions, with approximate dates, layout name, owner's name, owner's email

or use the Body of Work Exemption exemption below if you have been a Host countless times

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as a host, such as - I have hosted on my layout many dozens of times

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Nomination Form: Only Layout Owners Can Nominate Key Helpers

Generally speaking, we limit Key Helpers to 3 per layout, with an exception for large layouts and special situations… let us know.

Recipients need not be OPSIG members, but we hope you will encourage them.

This is a free service of your OPSIG!

My Full Name / Name of My Layout

My Email Address (Host) *

My Phone Number (Host)

If you are outside of the US please include necessary country code

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? If NOT game over do not submit

I would like to nominate the following person as a Key Helper who has made an invaluable contribution to operating sessions here

be accurate, this is how the name will appear on the certificate

ACKNOWLEDGMENT *

I have read the statement of intent above and nominate this person because, at and leading up to my operating sessions, I rely on them to help.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 2 *

I understand that this award is not meant to be conveyed upon the people that inspired and mentored me or provided info, encouragement, and support from afar or from time to time. They can be thanked other ways, like sending Christmas fruitcakes.

Key helper's email *

Mailing Address- where the certificate should be mailed (U.S. Applicants)

Address Line 1

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City

State

Zip Code

The certificate can be mailed to the you or to the recipient, either way precisely include name and address HERE as this will be the label

Mailing Address- where the certificate should be mailed (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

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The certificate can be mailed to the you or to the recipient, either way precisely include name and address HERE as this will be the label

Did you include the name in the field above for our address label?

Yes I did
Oops I did not

Tell Us Why This Nominee Rocks - We will include in the announcement email to them

Can we use your testimonial above such as in our Facebook group?

Yes of course
No we are shy

Additional Comments for Us

Application for Credit: Mentor Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Mentor Qualification / I was a 1 on 1 mentor for 3 op sessions

Describe qualifying sessions, with approximate dates, layout name, owner's name, owner's email, name of person mentored, and what you did / how many hours. Mentor achievement is subject to further verification, please allow 30+ days for us to respond

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Office Crew Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Office Crew Qualification / I held an Office Crew job for 3 Different Op Sessions

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying sessions, with approximate dates, layout name, owner's name, owner's email. Be specific about the jobs you held.

Body of Work Exemption

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as Office Crew, such as - I have held jobs like this dozens of times...

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Traffic Manager Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

Address Line 1

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City

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Zip Code

Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

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City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Traffic Mgr Qualification / I designed traffic system as described above on 2 different layouts

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of your work as a traffic manager

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Volunteer Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

Address Line 1

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City

State

Zip Code

Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

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City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Volunteer Qualification / I was a helper or organizer for 3 different ops events

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying volunteer jobs, with approximate dates, event name, your responsibilities, and the name and email of another key organizer who can verify your role

OR use the Body of Work Exemption if you have been a Volunteer countless times

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as a volunteer, such as- I have run operating events for 20 years...

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Application for Credit: Yardmaster Achievement

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

Address Line 1

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City

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Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

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Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

YM Qualification / I was YM for Op Sessions on 3 different layouts

Please write a paragraph or copy and paste a list of qualifying sessions, with approximate dates, layout name, owner's name, owner's email and your job. Be specific.

or use the Body of Work Exemption below if you have acted as YM countless times

Please write a paragraph describing the depth of your experience as a YM, such as- I have been a YM many dozens of times over a long period. Provide enough info so your credit will be easily granted.

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Request Form for Special Railroader Badge

Please note that as of July 2025, the Railroader Badge is in production. Fulfillment may be delayed by the production cycle. You will receive a confirmation to your email, and we will update you when we get closer to a fulfillment date, probably mid-to-late August.

Name *

Email *

Mailing Address (U.S. Applicants)

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

Mailing Address (International Applicants, enter city and other mailing details including country)

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State / Province / Region

Postal Code

Country

Phone Number *

Are you an OPSIG member Y/N? *

Your Railroad Work Experience

Minimum 5 years full time at a for profit railroad in a position related to the movement of trains

Additional Comments for Us *

Here tell us anything you want us to know about your application for credit. We will make every effort to consider special situations.

Disclaimer About Privacy: OPSIG respects your privacy and will use reasonable best efforts to keep submissions confidential, with the exception of any additional due diligence that we may need to conduct to verify the details of certain submissions. Please do not submit any information that you believe is confidential in nature, as we can make no assurance that we can protect and maintain confidentiality.