A Switching Layout For a Highschool Club

First of all congrats. I tried to start a club at my highschool but there was no luck.

Thanks, it is something I really like doing.

I would adapt John Allen's TimeSaver to 25'. That's a lot of real estate and you could do lots. I will post some pictures of our TimeSaver later.....that is probably 10-12' longer than our space.....plenty of room for a great switching layout.

This is one of the many websites you can find, searching John Allen's TimeSaver:

http://www.wymann.info/Shuntin...saver-trackplan.html

Peter

Thanks for that idea, I am familliar with that plan and it does seem like a good idea.

The timesaver doesnt really "adapt". The sidings are fixed relationship so the puzzle plays correctly. If you want a 25' timesaver, you would probably have to use 89' Autoracks for your cars.  In 25' you can do a double timesaver (one abuts another) and pass cars between them, or you can do something like a timesaver + inglenook.

or just come up with something that fits your space/needs. Lots of books and websites out there with switching plans. 

Whatever you do, consider the use of Kadees, even if you do 3 rail. The lobster claws dont close easy enough for low speed switching use.

Here is one plan I came up with based on one posted here a while ago it is 2'x16' with removable extensions to be added.

As to kadees that sounds like a good idea. I operated on an O scale layout at the NMRA midwest regional this past weekend and it was a lot of fun. Anyone know of what companies would do donations also? Cargraves already said they would give us at least some track for the layouts.

Fixed image

Anyone have some thoughts?

I'm going to make a different suggestion.

Switching puzzles are just that, puzzles.  They do nor really reflect the real world of operations on a railroad.  They can be very frustrating, which is anathema to what you want to accomplish, fostering an interest in model railroading, and railroading in general.

May I suggest that you investigate the concept of Layout Design Elements.  LDE's copy a prototype track plan, so you don't have to try to figure out what will work.  Look around the neighborhood, pick a few industries that hold interest, and copy the track plan(s) that serve them.  You could even get the students to research what existed in the 1930's and 40's for ideas.  I use LDE's exclusively on my layout, though some are from other railroads.

Have you developed your Givens and Druthers yet?

Good luck with your endeavor.

We do have a one track industry nearby that could work, does anyone know of any 3 rail O scale clubs?

It's the journey. Not the destination. Forget about timesaver. More important is for club members to participate. And give an opportunity to construct buildings and scenery. Even to paint a backdrop. You will lose interest in operating the timesaver puzzle in three to five minutes. Agree at the beginning if a student owns a scratchbuilt building to take with him when he graduates, for example. The same with scratchbuilt cars. Arranging the layout into several dioramas, with one member responsible for one diorama works. A traction layout with trolley overhead gives an opportunity for soldering skills. Think about a software program to run the trains, as one good project. Getting input from tbe members is extremely important. School ownership of model trains is always a problem. Especially if you get donations. It will be a problem. Do you have a faculty advisor? Very important! Think modular sections in case you have to move. I was president of a railroad club in high school and we started such a project and abandoned it because of these issues. A railroad club can be fun and a request on school stationary by a faculty advisor can get you access to most railroads for a visit to shops, for example. We ended up spending time working at a working train museum rehabilitating a real steam engine and vintage cars, which was much more productive and fun. A school layout can be a lot of trouble. Not to discourage you.

I think Tommy is on to something. First your club would need to develop the reason for being and the constitution or rules and by-laws. Railroads are an important element of any nations' economy. They are also part of the culture. Some to a greater extent.

There is a lot of math and science to explore. What is the local history? The railroad was important in the early years and has since faded and is almost forgotten. There may have been industries that were supplied and delivered their goods by railroad.

Field trips galore. Go out and be around railroad history and current railroads. Schedule visitors/experts/historians to come to a speak at a breakfast/lunch meeting. Food.

These would be the selling points to attract members.

Learn about safety around railroads and give a talk to the student body about it for Honor Society civic activity points.

Do the research and present a fully developed proposal to the school staff and administration. You'll need their approval, a club advisor and the path clear to get approval for trips. Find a teacher that has a interest in railroads.

The club can be whatever you want it to be. A couple of guys playing with trains may not attract as many people that you need or gain the support of an advisor. It won't be as much fun as one with a wider scope of activities.The modules can be built over time for perhaps a bi-annual display to go with national train day and the holidays.

Good luck and have fun whichever direction that you take.

One other thought is that model railroads can be great testbeds to test new electronic ideas, electronic control, programming, etc (STEM skills). Weep your connections to transformer, turnout control, etc modular (using multipin-connectors) and you can plug a computer in with a DAQ device and run the trains using Labview, MATLAB, or any computer language.

I made a small HO layout with just 2 turnouts to form a passing siding and have my Electrical Engineering Students figure out a way to automate the layout so 2 engines can be run without colliding. They learn more than the first expect since most begin by sizing the transistors on the turnout controls wrong and burn out a few transistors or find out their power supply is not strong enough.

I've been a judge at high school science fairs and seen some great ideas using model trains.

Lad Nagurney (nagurney@hartford.edu)

First, off track{pun intended}. I find STEVEF'S quote of Thomas Sowell very amusing. Who among us has 20 I.Q. points to spare?

Back toTRAINMASTER247's layout plan. I agree modelling some real industrial sites a good idea.

I also would have like a RR Club in my H.S. back in the day. Good luck Trainmaster247.

Lots of good ideas so far, especially first determining the reason or purpose of your RR.

I did a couple of test switching plans that sort of combined the timesaver and inglenook.  Adding these here to give you a couple more ideas to work with.