Proficiency Scheme
Bronze Award Booklet
Silver Award Booklet
A successful Bronze award winner
Documents
7¼" Proficiency Testing Scheme.
With the development of electronics and computers traditional manufacturing methods are disappearing at a faster rate than ever before, The need for some engineering skills have virtually disappeared. Today young people are far more likely to have computing skills rather than engineering ones.
This is reflected in our hobby and to try and redress this in the area of miniature railways the 7¼" Gauge Society Limited, (the recognised body for this gauge) has introduced a three part Proficiency Scheme.
The scheme has been introduced to nationally encourage as many participants as possible to obtain a level of skill and knowledge whilst enjoying and becoming safely involved in our hobby.
Whilst it sets standards of awareness it is not a licence to drive a locomotive. It is a way of rewarding enthusiastic participation; it sets goals that encourage courteous, safe involvement in 7¼” gauge railways.
Entry to the three-part scheme with Bronze, Silver and Gold awards is dependant on participant’s skill levels and is not restricted by age.
The Bronze Award is a simple set of questions testing the candidate’s general knowledge of the hobby and is aimed chiefly at youngsters whether members of an organisation or not. Successful participants are issued with a badge and a certificate.
The Silver award is a considerably higher standard with specific questions directed towards locomotive and railway issues especially their safety aspects. Participants have to be both members of a participating organisation and the 7¼” Gauge Society Limited.
The Gold award is pitched at a level that stretches and tests the applicant’s knowledge and skill in all aspects of club and public running railway practice, including the driving of a nominated locomotive or tram.
The Bronze and Silver awards are run at club level by the appointed adjudicator/s that have been issued with full instructions on how to operate the scheme. Participants will be given advice and a training booklet to study. These tests follow a standard set of questions plus in the Silver award the opportunity to tailor some questions to accommodate specific club rules.
The Gold scheme is administrated by the Society in conjunction with the participating organisation. A 7¼” Gauge Society Ltd appointed independent examiner from within the candidate’s area plus the local adjudicator assess this award.
Many clubs and organisations are finding it very useful of attracting new members, The bronze award being especially tailored to stimulate further interest by giving successful candidates one years free membership to the Society, and receiving free copies of their quarterly news magazine.
The scheme was launched at the Harrogate Model Engineering Show in May 2009 and by September the number of Junior members of the our Society had grown by 20%. A very encouraging start to safely introducing our hobby to a wider audience.
Several senior members are also taking a lead and looking to study the Gold Award which not only covers everyday miniature railway practice but risk assessment and miniature boiler testing.
All of which we hope will ensure the attraction of 7¼" railways continues in the future.
To take part in the scheme either as an organisation or as an individual please contact the Project co-ordinator : Rex Mounfield, proficiency@sevenandaquarter.org
Clubs & Organisations currently taking part in the scheme
Barton House Railway
Chingford & District M.E. Club
City of Oxford S.M.E.
Coalyard Miniature Railway
Conway Railway Museum
Halton Miniature Railway Society
Doncaster & District M.E.S Ltd
Little Orchard Railway
Purbeck Miniature Railway
Scottish Model Engineering Trust
Sheffield & District S.M.E.E. Ltd
Sutton Coldfield M.E.S. Ltd
Woking Miniature Railway
