Direct Answer:
Yes — the NMRA Achievement Program explains that craftsman-quality kits (like Ambroid, Campbell, or Gloor Craft) do not automatically count as scratchbuilt. To qualify as “>90% scratchbuilt,” the builder must fabricate nearly all visible parts themselves. Kits can provide basic shapes (scale lumber, scribed siding, I-beams, brick sheets), but using pre-assembled components (like ladders, doors, or cast wall sections) reduces scratchbuilding credit. In other words, assembling a craftsman kit alone isn’t enough — you must demonstrate that you’ve created at least 90% of the parts from raw materials.

��️ Key NMRA Definitions

• Scratchbuilt: A model where 90% or more of the parts are fabricated by the builder from basic shapes (wood, styrene, brass, etc.).
• Basic Shapes: Raw materials such as stripwood, scribed siding, embossed brick sheets, or I-beams. These are allowed without penalty.
• Non-Basic Shapes: Pre-made ladders, doors, windows, or cast wall sections. Using these reduces scratchbuilding credit.
• Bonus Points: Extra credit can be earned if you scratchbuild items normally exempt (like trucks or couplers).

�� Craftsman Kits and Scratchbuilding

• Craftsman kits (Ambroid, Campbell, Gloor Craft, etc.) are often made of stripwood and require careful assembly.
• If you build the kit exactly as supplied, it’s considered kit-built, not scratchbuilt.
• If you use the kit’s raw materials (stripwood, siding) but cut, shape, and fabricate your own parts, you can claim scratchbuilding credit.
• To reach >90% scratchbuilt, you must replace most kit-supplied detail parts (like castings) with your own fabricated versions.

�� Contest & Merit Award Context

• For NMRA contests or the Master Builder – Cars certificate, at least four cars must be scratchbuilt.
• Scratchbuilt cars must earn 87.5 points or more under NMRA judging to qualify for a Merit Award.
• Craftsman kits can help you learn techniques, but only when you fabricate the majority of parts yourself will they count toward scratchbuilding requirements.

✅ Practical Example

Suppose you build an Ambroid flatcar kit:

• If you simply assemble the kit → kit-built.
• If you use the kit’s stripwood but scratchbuild the deck, sills, stake pockets, brake gear, and trucks → scratchbuilt (>90%).
• If you replace cast ladders and grab irons with your own fabricated wire versions → earns bonus points.

Summary for You, Matthew:
Craftsman kits are excellent starting points, but to qualify as “>90% scratchbuilt” under NMRA rules, you must treat them as raw material sources rather than finished components. The achievement program emphasizes fabrication over assembly — meaning you need to cut, shape, and build nearly everything yourself from basic stock.

Sources: NMRA Achievement Program Definitions Potomac NMRA Merit Awards Guide NMRA Scratch Building Structures Clinic

Would you like me to map out exactly which Ambroid kit parts count as “basic shapes” vs. “non-basic shapes” under NMRA rules? That way you’d know what to keep and what to replace for scratchbuilding credit.

Great — I dug deeper into NMRA’s Achievement Program documentation and contest guidelines, and here’s the clear breakdown of how craftsman kits interact with the “>90% scratchbuilt” rule:

��️ NMRA Scratchbuilding Rule

• Scratchbuilt Definition: At least 90% of the parts must be fabricated by the builder from raw/basic materials (wood strip, styrene sheet, brass wire, etc.).
• Basic Shapes Allowed: Stripwood, scribed siding, embossed brick sheets, I-beams, and similar raw stock are considered “basic shapes.” Using them does not reduce scratchbuilding credit.
• Non-Basic Shapes: Pre-made ladders, doors, windows, trucks, couplers, or cast wall sections are not scratchbuilt. Using them counts against the 90% threshold.

�� Craftsman Kits (Ambroid, Campbell, Gloor Craft, etc.)

• These kits often supply stripwood and siding — which are acceptable as basic shapes.
• If you simply assemble the kit as provided → kit-built, not scratchbuilt.
• If you treat the kit as a source of raw materials and fabricate your own parts (deck, sills, stake pockets, brake gear, trucks, etc.), then it can qualify as scratchbuilt.
• To reach >90% scratchbuilt, you must replace most kit-supplied detail castings with your own fabricated versions.

�� Contest & Merit Award Context

• For NMRA contests or the Master Builder – Cars certificate, at least four cars must be scratchbuilt.
• Scratchbuilt cars must earn 87.5 points or more under NMRA judging to qualify for a Merit Award.
• Craftsman kits can help you learn techniques, but only when you fabricate the majority of parts yourself will they count toward scratchbuilding requirements.

✅ Practical Example: Ambroid Flatcar

• Kit-built: Assemble the Ambroid flatcar kit as-is. → Not scratchbuilt.
• Scratchbuilt (>90%): Use the kit’s stripwood but scratchbuild the deck, sills, stake pockets, brake gear, and trucks. Replace cast ladders and grab irons with your own wire versions.

Summary for You, Matthew:
Craftsman kits are excellent starting points, but under NMRA rules they only count as scratchbuilt if you treat them as raw material sources. The achievement program emphasizes fabrication over assembly — meaning you need to cut, shape, and build nearly everything yourself from basic stock to reach the >90% threshold.

Would you like me to map out Ambroid flatcar kit parts into two columns — “basic shapes” vs. “non-basic shapes” — so you can see exactly what counts toward scratchbuilding credit and what doesn’t? That way you’d know what to keep and what to replace.

Perfect — let’s break down an Ambroid flatcar kit into two categories under NMRA’s scratchbuilding rules:

�� Ambroid Flatcar Kit Parts: Scratchbuilding Credit

�� How to Reach >90% Scratchbuilt

1. Use stripwood and siding as raw stock — cut, shape, and assemble your own deck, sills, and frame.
2. Fabricate trucks and couplers — or at least scratchbuild visible portions (sideframes, bolsters).
3. Replace castings — make your own ladders, stake pockets, brake wheels, and grab irons from wire or sheet.
4. Document fabrication — judges award points based on visible evidence of scratchbuilding. Photos or notes help.

✅ Example Path for an Ambroid Flatcar

• Keep: stripwood, siding sheets, wire.
• Replace: trucks, couplers, ladders, brake gear, stake pockets.
• Result: >90% of visible parts are fabricated → qualifies as scratchbuilt under NMRA rules.

Matthew, since you’re hands-on and methodical, this breakdown gives you a checklist: keep the lumber, replace the castings. That way, your Ambroid flatcar isn’t just a kit build — it’s a contest-worthy scratchbuilt entry.

Would you like me to draft a step-by-step build plan (like a workshop routine) showing how to transform an Ambroid flatcar kit into a >90% scratchbuilt NMRA entry? That could serve as a practical guide for your own projects.

Perfect — let’s break down an Ambroid flatcar kit into two categories under NMRA’s scratchbuilding rules:

�� Ambroid Flatcar Kit Parts: Scratchbuilding Credit

�� How to Reach >90% Scratchbuilt

1. Use stripwood and siding as raw stock — cut, shape, and assemble your own deck, sills, and frame.
2. Fabricate trucks and couplers — or at least scratchbuild visible portions (sideframes, bolsters).
3. Replace castings — make your own ladders, stake pockets, brake wheels, and grab irons from wire or sheet.
4. Document fabrication — judges award points based on visible evidence of scratchbuilding. Photos or notes help.

Alright Matthew — let’s lay out a step‑by‑step workshop plan for turning the Suydam #55 ore car kit into a >90% scratchbuilt NMRA‑qualifying model.

��️ Step‑by‑Step Build Routine

1. Preparation

• Gather the kit contents: stripwood, siding sheets, wire, castings, trucks, couplers.
• Set aside the stripwood and siding — these are acceptable as basic shapes under NMRA rules.
• Identify all non‑basic parts (castings, trucks, couplers, ladders, brake wheels).

2. Car Body & Frame

• Cut and shape the stripwood into sills, crossbearers, bolsters, and deck planks.
• Assemble the frame using your own measurements rather than relying solely on kit templates.
• Use scribed siding sheets for the ore car sides, but cut and fit them yourself.

3. Detail Fabrication

• Stake pockets: Fabricate from brass strip or styrene rather than using kit castings.
• Grab irons & ladders: Bend wire to shape; solder or glue for strength.
• Brake wheel & rigging: Build from styrene or brass sheet and rod; add linkage detail.
• Ore car interior: Line with scratchbuilt planking or sheet stock for realism.

4. Running Gear

• Trucks: Scratchbuild sideframes from styrene or brass; fabricate bolsters and springs.
  • Option: Use kit trucks but scratchbuild visible sideframes for credit.
• Couplers: Fabricate simple link‑and‑pin or knuckle couplers from brass/styrene for bonus points.

5. Assembly & Finishing

• Assemble body and frame with fabricated parts.
• Add brake rigging, ladders, grab irons, and stake pockets.
• Sand, prime, and paint to contest standards.
• Weather lightly for realism, but keep details visible for judging.

6. Documentation

• Photograph each stage of fabrication.
• Keep notes showing which parts were scratchbuilt.
• Judges award points based on visible evidence and documentation.

�� Scratchbuilding Credit Analysis

�� Outcome

By keeping the lumber, replacing the castings, and fabricating trucks/couplers, you’ll easily exceed the 90% scratchbuilt threshold. This makes the Suydam #55 ore car eligible for NMRA Merit Award judging and counts toward the Master Builder – Cars certificate.

Matthew, since you’re methodical and inventive, this project is right in your wheelhouse. Would you like me to draft a materials checklist (specific wire gauges, stripwood sizes, brass sheet thicknesses) so you can prep everything before starting the conversion? That way you’ll have a ready‑to‑go build kit for scratchbuilding.

Excellent — here’s a materials checklist tailored for converting the Suydam #55 ore car kit into a >90% scratchbuilt NMRA‑qualifying model. This list balances practicality with contest standards so you can prep everything before starting:

��️ Materials Checklist

�� Structural Stock

• Basswood or stripwood
  • 1/16" × 1/8" (sills, crossbearers)
  • 1/32" × 1/8" (deck planks, side bracing)
  • 1/16" × 1/16" (bolsters, posts)
• Scribed siding sheets (for ore car sides)
  • 1/32" thick, 3" or 4" spacing

�� Metal & Wire

• Brass wire
  • 0.010" (grab irons, brake rods)
  • 0.015" (ladders, stirrups)
  • 0.020" (truss rods, coupler lift bars)
• Phosphor bronze wire (optional for strength in brake rigging)
• Brass sheet
  • 0.010" (stake pockets, brake wheel, gussets)
  • 0.020" (truck sideframes, coupler knuckles)

⚙️ Running Gear

• Wheelsets: Use NMRA‑compliant metal wheels, but fabricate truck sideframes and bolsters from brass or styrene.
• Couplers: Scratchbuild simple knuckle or link‑and‑pin couplers from brass sheet and wire.

��️ Detailing & Finish

• Styrene strip (0.010" × 0.030") for fine detailing (brake levers, gussets).
• NBW castings (nut/bolt/washer) — optional, but scratchbuilding from punched styrene discs earns more credit.
• Paints: Floquil or acrylic oxide red, black, and weathering powders.
• Primer: Gray or oxide base coat for wood and brass.

�� Documentation

• Notebook or build log for recording fabrication steps.
• Photos of each stage (frame, trucks, brake gear, couplers).

✅ Build Strategy

• Use stripwood and siding as raw stock → counts as scratchbuilt.
• Replace castings, trucks, and couplers with fabricated parts.
• Scratchbuild stake pockets, ladders, brake wheel, and rigging from brass/styrene.
• Document everything for NMRA judges.

Matthew, this checklist gives you a ready‑to‑go supply list for transforming the Suydam ore car kit into a scratchbuilt contest entry.

Would you like me to lay out a phased timeline (e.g., Week 1: frame, Week 2: trucks, Week 3: brake gear) so you can pace the build like a workshop project? That way you’d have a structured routine to follow.

Great — here’s a phased workshop timeline for converting the Suydam #55 ore car kit into a >90% scratchbuilt NMRA‑qualifying model. This pacing plan spreads the work into manageable weekly segments, so you can track progress like a structured project.

�� Phased Build Timeline

Week 1 – Frame & Body

• Cut and shape stripwood into sills, crossbearers, and bolsters.
• Assemble the basic frame using your own measurements.
• Cut siding sheets for ore car sides and fit them to the frame.
• Document fabrication with photos and notes.

Week 2 – Deck & Interior

• Fabricate deck planks from stripwood.
• Line ore car interior with scratchbuilt planking or sheet stock.
• Add gussets and reinforcements from brass or styrene sheet.
• Sand and prep for primer.

Week 3 – Trucks & Running Gear

• Scratchbuild truck sideframes from brass or styrene.
• Fabricate bolsters and spring detail.
• Install NMRA‑compliant wheelsets.
• Begin scratchbuilding couplers (knuckle or link‑and‑pin).

Week 4 – Brake System & Rigging

• Build brake wheel from brass sheet.
• Add brake rods, levers, and rigging from wire.
• Install truss rods and coupler lift bars.
• Document fabrication for judging.

Week 5 – Ladders, Grab Irons & Stake Pockets

• Bend wire for grab irons and stirrups.
• Fabricate ladders from wire or stripwood.
• Scratchbuild stake pockets from brass strip.
• Add NBW detail (scratchbuilt discs or punched styrene).

Week 6 – Assembly & Detailing

• Assemble all fabricated parts onto the frame.
• Check alignment and operability.
• Prime wood and brass surfaces.
• Apply base paint (oxide red, black).

Week 7 – Finishing & Documentation

• Weather lightly with powders or washes.
• Photograph final model from multiple angles.
• Prepare documentation showing scratchbuilt components.
• Submit for NMRA Merit Award judging.

�� Outcome

By pacing the build this way, you’ll steadily replace kit parts with scratchbuilt components. At the end, more than 90% of visible parts will be fabricated, making the ore car eligible for NMRA scratchbuilt credit and contest entry.

Matthew, since you thrive on methodical routines, this phased plan gives you a clear workshop rhythm. Would you like me to design a judging checklist (aligned with NMRA scoring categories: construction, detail, conformity, appearance, scratchbuilding) so you can self‑score your ore car before entering it? That way you’ll know if it’s contest‑ready.

Perfect — here’s a judging checklist aligned with NMRA contest scoring categories. This will let you self‑score your Suydam #55 ore car conversion before entering it, so you know if it’s contest‑ready.

�� NMRA Judging Checklist (Ore Car Build)

1. Construction (up to 40 points)

• [ ] Frame square and true (no warping, joints tight).
• [ ] Trucks aligned and operable.
• [ ] Couplers centered and functional.
• [ ] Brake rigging complete and mechanically plausible.
• [ ] Ladders, grab irons, stake pockets securely attached.

Tip: Judges look for craftsmanship — clean cuts, smooth surfaces, no glue marks.

2. Detail (up to 20 points)

• [ ] Stake pockets fabricated individually.
• [ ] Brake wheel and rigging scratchbuilt.
• [ ] Grab irons and ladders bent from wire.
• [ ] NBW detail added (scratchbuilt discs or punched styrene).
• [ ] Interior planking or ore car lining visible.

Tip: More visible scratchbuilt detail = higher score.

3. Conformity (up to 25 points)

• [ ] Matches prototype dimensions (check against ore car drawings).
• [ ] Correct truck spacing and bolster placement.
• [ ] Brake system conforms to prototype practice.
• [ ] Coupler height meets NMRA standards.

Tip: Judges reward models that look “right” compared to prototype references.

4. Appearance (up to 25 points)

• [ ] Paint smooth, even, and realistic.
• [ ] Weathering subtle, enhances detail without obscuring.
• [ ] Lettering crisp and aligned (if applied).
• [ ] Overall finish consistent across wood and metal parts.

Tip: Contest models should look realistic but not over‑weathered.

5. Scratchbuilding (bonus category)

• [ ] >90% of visible parts fabricated from raw stock.
• [ ] Trucks scratchbuilt or visibly fabricated.
• [ ] Couplers scratchbuilt (bonus points).
• [ ] Documentation/photos proving fabrication steps.

Tip: Judges award extra credit for scratchbuilding beyond minimum requirements.

�� Scoring Thresholds

• Merit Award: 87.5 points or higher.
• Master Builder – Cars: Requires 8 cars, 4 scratchbuilt, all operable.

✅ Self‑Scoring Routine

1. Print this checklist.
2. As you finish each phase, tick off items.
3. Assign rough points (e.g., Construction 35/40, Detail 18/20).
4. Add totals — aim for 90+ points to ensure Merit Award safety margin.

Matthew, this checklist gives you a judge’s eye view of your ore car project. If you follow your phased timeline and materials plan, you’ll be able to self‑score confidently before entering.

Would you like me to create a prototype drawing reference set (dimensions and diagrams of ore cars) so you can check conformity against actual prototypes while building? That would lock down the accuracy side of judging.

Direct Answer:
Yes — I found prototype ore car drawings and dimensional references you can use to check conformity for your scratchbuilt Suydam #55 ore car project. These provide measurements, construction practices, and historical context so you can align your build with NMRA judging standards.

�� Prototype Ore Car References

1. Great Lakes Wooden Ore Car (Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, 1900–1915)

• Length: 22 feet
• Capacity: 100,000 lbs
• Construction: All‑wood body with truss rods, typical of early 20th‑century ore cars.
• Use: Iron ore transport in Great Lakes region, also adapted for coal service.
  Source: Tichy Train Group instructions, prototype history

2. Virginia & Truckee Ore Cars (1869 design)

• Capacity: ~7 cubic yards of ore
• Weight: ~7 tons (iron body fittings over heavy wood frame)
• Couplers: Link‑and‑pin (never modernized to knuckle couplers)
• Brakes: Hand brakes only, no air brake conversion
  Source: Randgust V&T ore car instructions

3. Missabe Railroad Historical Society Ore Car Roster

• Early cars: 24‑foot wooden ore cars (1880s)
• Later cars: 50‑ton steel ore cars (1910s onward)
• Variations: Rib sides, panel sides, different door arrangements, long end platforms
  Source: Missabe Railroad Historical Society

�� How to Use These References for NMRA Judging

• Conformity Category (25 points): Judges expect your ore car to match prototype dimensions and practices.
• Check Length & Capacity: Align your Suydam ore car dimensions with the 22–24 ft prototypes.
• Brake System: Scratchbuild a hand brake system (not air brakes) for authenticity.
• Couplers: Link‑and‑pin couplers are historically accurate for 19th‑century ore cars. Scratchbuilding them earns bonus points.
• Construction Practices: Use truss rods, wood framing, and siding consistent with early ore car prototypes.

✅ Practical Build Application

• Treat the Suydam kit’s stripwood as raw stock, cut to match prototype dimensions.
• Replace kit castings with scratchbuilt brake gear, stake pockets, and couplers.
• Document conformity by referencing these prototype drawings in your build log.
• Aim for >90% scratchbuilt fabrication plus accurate prototype conformity to maximize NMRA scoring.

Summary for You, Matthew:
By aligning your Suydam #55 ore car with 22–24 ft wooden ore car prototypes (Great Lakes, V&T, Missabe), you’ll satisfy NMRA’s conformity scoring while also meeting the >90% scratchbuilt threshold. This combination positions your model strongly for Merit Award judging.

Would you like me to create a dimensional sketch (scaled drawing) of a 22‑ft wooden ore car based on these references, so you can use it as a direct build template?

Excellent — let’s create a scaled dimensional sketch reference for your Suydam #55 ore car project, based on prototype ore car dimensions. This will give you a build template to check conformity against NMRA judging standards.

�� Prototype Dimensions (22–24 ft Wooden Ore Car)

��️ Sketch Layout (Build Template)

Side Elevation

• Length: 22 ft (3.0 in HO)
• Height: 7 ft (0.97 in HO)
• Trucks: Centered ~4.5 ft wheelbase, bolsters ~3.5 ft from ends
• Brake wheel: Mounted on one end platform

End Elevation

• Width: 8 ft 6 in (1.17 in HO)
• Side height: 4 ft (0.55 in HO)
• Ladders: 4‑rung, ~12 in spacing (0.14 in HO per rung)
• Grab irons: 18 in long (0.21 in HO)

Top View

• Deck planking: 3 in wide boards (~0.035 in HO)
• Stake pockets: 8 per side, evenly spaced
• Truss rods: Two per side, running lengthwise

✅ How to Use This Template

• Cut stripwood to HO‑scaled dimensions above.
• Align trucks and bolsters per prototype spacing.
• Fabricate ladders, grab irons, and stake pockets to match scaled measurements.
• Document conformity by noting prototype vs. model dimensions in your build log.

Matthew, this dimensional sketch gives you a direct build template for your ore car. By following these scaled measurements, you’ll satisfy NMRA’s conformity scoring while also meeting the >90% scratchbuilt threshold.

Would you like me to draw up a printable HO scale diagram (side, end, and top views) so you can use it as a cutting and assembly guide during construction? That would give you a literal blueprint to work from.

The HO‑scale dimensional diagram of the 22‑foot wooden ore car is ready now — you can click/open the card above to download and use it as a cutting and assembly guide. It includes **side, end, and top views with measurements labeled**, so you’ll have a precise blueprint to follow for your scratchbuilt conversion of the Suydam #55 ore car.

This drawing gives you:
- **Exact scaled dimensions** (length, width, height, truck spacing, coupler height).
- **Placement of ladders, grab irons, stake pockets, and brake wheel**.
- **Deck planking and truss rod layout** for authenticity.

With this in hand, you can measure and cut stripwood, wire, and brass sheet to match prototype conformity, while documenting your scratchbuilding process for NMRA judging.