Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Back in Feb. I contacted the Union Pacific Railroad and asked if they would be so kind as to give my BSA Troop a tour of the yard for the RR Merit Badge. They kindly said yes.

On Friday, Boy Scouts, and members of the Ophir, Tintic, and Western Model Railroad came over to my house. I taught them part of the Railroad Merit Badge merit badge. Part of the badge was to build a kit.

The next day, we gathered at the scout house and drove up to Salt Lake. When we arrived, the UP Western District Manager was there to give us the tour himself. He first lead us upstairs where the Yard Master showed us all the cameras he used to monitor the yard.

Then we were lead outside to the MOW shed. Here sat a beautiful GP38-2. Here, they were kind enough to let us climb onto and into the locomotive, and give us a tour of everything.

Here is me blowing both the horn and everyone’s ears out.

After that, we drove up to the yard itself and got on a catwalk.

FInally, we got down on the ground and to

2

Now thats public relations as it should be. Good for UP, they are getting the idea.

Dave

3

Not only hats off to the UP for a public service good deed, but also well done to John himself for organizing this activity and expedition to the UP yard for his troop. I spent a number of years as a Scouter with my son’s troop. The older scouts (who really run the troop!) are truly amazing in what they can accomplish in organizing and leading the younger scouts. John, again great work, and I wish you great success on your trail to Eagle.

George V.

4

As an Adult Leader in the BSA with over 30 years experience, I will very much second what George said.

Congratulations on a job well done Life Scout John! Sounds like you have a great Eagle Project under way as well. Let us know more about it, please!

73

5

My Eagle Project will be to build a Model Railroad for Golden Spike National Historic Site. I plan for it to operate like a show every 30 minutes. A Narrator will talk about all the amazingness of GS and then the trains will come up, a tiny crowd will be heard, then they will back up, pass each other, turn around at opposite ends, pass again, and return to their original staging area.

6

John:

It looks like you and your group had a fine time and learned a lot. You are the type of individual who will help to insure the future of our hobby. I hope that your kit building exercise will stimulate some of the younger scouts to become long term recruits for our hobby. Keep up the good work!. I enjoy seeing your posts about your layout and railroad experiences. By the way, did you get any info on the “kitbashed” car in the yard?

Joe

7

All I heard was an “Oops, that doesn’t look good” from the Public affairs officer.

8

Those pictures with the mountains in the back ground look great. I really like the flat car load.