Switching Layout Plan
- Thread starter railohio
- Start date
Looks good, Brian. The only comment I'd have to offer is that I believe the original Timesaver had the lengths of the spurs carefully calculated as to the number of cars they would hold. If you're interested in the "puzzle" aspects of the layout, you might want to look into that.
That's correct, it was John Allen's timesaver and the sidings where a specific length....Oh, and my next project is to recreate the timesaver too, but in N so I can play the portable version on the coffee table while I'm watching the new baby that's on the way...
Yep - that John Allen. I bet a web search for Timesaver and John Allen would turn up some 'original' specs.
Brian:
can you hint at what you're planning to do with the layout? If it's going to be a game like the Time Waster, you can make it trickier to operate. If you want it more scenic, you could make different alterations.
The tail track at the left is only a foot long and might hold a 40' loco and a 40' car. Frustrate your operators by making it not quite long enough, or using 50' cars. Make sure the cold storage warehouse gets 85' long box cars so that that tail track is crowded.
Or improve the scenics by reducing the 3 parallel tracks. Turn the switch to the cold storage the other way and move the track back. Run the siding at the front to the corner rather than turning it.
I built a layout on a 12" plank once. Was nice until the plank warped because I put no bracing on it.
can you hint at what you're planning to do with the layout? If it's going to be a game like the Time Waster, you can make it trickier to operate. If you want it more scenic, you could make different alterations.
The tail track at the left is only a foot long and might hold a 40' loco and a 40' car. Frustrate your operators by making it not quite long enough, or using 50' cars. Make sure the cold storage warehouse gets 85' long box cars so that that tail track is crowded.
Or improve the scenics by reducing the 3 parallel tracks. Turn the switch to the cold storage the other way and move the track back. Run the siding at the front to the corner rather than turning it.
I built a layout on a 12" plank once. Was nice until the plank warped because I put no bracing on it.
My main goal is to create a switching layout to represent an urban industrial area that I can later incorporate into a larger layout. I'm not looking to create any mind-numbing switching puzzles or works of scenic art, just a place to run my HO equipment.
If anyone IS interested in JA's timesaver you can also go to the BC&SJ I know he has built the timesaver to plan and I'm sure he'd like to share any info on it.
it's: http://www.bcsj.org/rr/bcsj/index.html
...and if you've never seen this layout you may want to take a peek anyway.....it's gorgous!!!!!
it's: http://www.bcsj.org/rr/bcsj/index.html
...and if you've never seen this layout you may want to take a peek anyway.....it's gorgous!!!!!
Time Saver (Waster) whatever...
I believe at one time there was a software version of this puzzle also because I remember working it. Does anyone else remember it? Or better yet ... have it?
I believe at one time there was a software version of this puzzle also because I remember working it. Does anyone else remember it? Or better yet ... have it?
Hi Brian,
You can have a lot of fun with the timesaver, I built it once, and I enjoyed every minuet of it, and as was stated, John Allen started it, here's the link.
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-timesaver.html
You can have a lot of fun with the timesaver, I built it once, and I enjoyed every minuet of it, and as was stated, John Allen started it, here's the link.
http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-timesaver.html
Yep I was right...
I have found and attached the zip file of the RR Switch puzzle game for anyone to download and enjoy. It is somewhat fun and doesn't require any benchwork or building. Try it out and see what kind of time it takes you to work the puzzle.
Enjoy,
I have found and attached the zip file of the RR Switch puzzle game for anyone to download and enjoy. It is somewhat fun and doesn't require any benchwork or building. Try it out and see what kind of time it takes you to work the puzzle.
Enjoy,
The original Timesaver was one of the very few things that got salvaged from John Allen's house after the fire. Somebody way up north still has it (a little singed around the edges) and puts it on dissplay at shows, etc.
Oppps...
Guess it would have helped to attach the blasted thing...
Here it is...
PS. I changed the extention from .zip to jpg in order to upload I hope it works. You must change it back to open it.
Oh well it didn't let me attach it that way. If anyone is interested in this software, just email me and I will send it to you that way.
Guess it would have helped to attach the blasted thing...
Here it is...
PS. I changed the extention from .zip to jpg in order to upload I hope it works. You must change it back to open it.
Oh well it didn't let me attach it that way. If anyone is interested in this software, just email me and I will send it to you that way.
Timesaver
No problem Bob (Vanda),
Here's the scoop on two Timesavers connected back-to-back for those who are interested. This version uses standard Atlas HO Snaptrack. One Timesaver ocupies 9 1/4" x 68" and provides a terrific amout of action. The atlas switch for controlling the loco is describes as "Atlas Twin". A reversing switch with centre "off" will do the same job.
Errol
No problem Bob (Vanda),
Here's the scoop on two Timesavers connected back-to-back for those who are interested. This version uses standard Atlas HO Snaptrack. One Timesaver ocupies 9 1/4" x 68" and provides a terrific amout of action. The atlas switch for controlling the loco is describes as "Atlas Twin". A reversing switch with centre "off" will do the same job.
Errol
