Tony Koester, author of the popular Trains of Thought column in Model Railroader magazine and editor of MR’s annual publication Model Railroad Planning, was one of four recipients of the 2025 National Model Railroad Association Pioneer in Model Railroading award. The citation on his award read, “Author of regular articles in the hobby press and editor of magazines, annual publications, and guides. He is also a pioneer of proto-freelancing and a promoter of realistic operations on model railroads.”
The Pioneer in Model Railroading award was developed by the Model Railroad Industry Association. The NMRA took over the award in the 1990s. It’s one of seven NMRA Honors Awards.
“I’ve been fortunate to work directly or indirectly in the model railroad industry since 1969 and got to meet many of the true pioneers, including Al Kalmbach in my college years,” Tony said. “To be included among them is quite an honor. I deeply appreciate receiving the NMRA’s Pioneer award and the recognition of service to our great hobby that accompanies it.”
This year’s posthumous recipients included Minton Cronkhite, credited with developing O scale in the United States; Yuji Kato, founder of Kato Precision Railroad Models; and Sydney Pritchard, founder of Pritchard Patent Products Ltd. (Peco).
To see the all-time list of award recipients, visit nmra.org.
Well deserved. Congratulations, Tony!
Richly deserved–Congratulations!