I’m going to be a presenter at a Webelos (Cub Scout) Resident Camp in the Adirondack Mtns. in a couple fo weeks and would like to use an easy switching layout as part of the presentation. The presentation would be for 10 year old kids. The layout would be on a 3’ x 6’ piece of plywood and be in HO scale. The object would be for the Scouts to have the opportunity to switch a few cars out from a train into some industrial sidings. If anyone can direct me to a plan that might fit this scheme, I would be grateful!
www.carendt.com has bountiful switching-puzzle plans: look in the “Shelf Switcher” section for Timesaver, Gumstump & Snowshoe, and other switching puzzle plans.
It depends a liitle on what you have in availible track, switches, power, and rolling stock and how big your budget is. If you have the stuff, just lay it out until it looks about right for your scouts. The switching puzzle is for advanced users. The cubs I worked with would like something simple and working. In two weeks you can’t get too cute with strange swirch setups and all the needed switch machines and wireing issues. If your starting from scratch you might visit a LHS and see what they have in stock. If you had more time a club would probably have all the stuff needed just sitting around.
Jetrock, BINGO! Just what I was looking for. Several of these can be adapted to what I have in mind. Thanks!
ARTHILL, I’ve got a couple hundred feet of code 100 nickel-silver track and 6 or seven old switches laying around that have been replaced with code 83. The locos will be old (runable) DC stuff I have setting around gathering dust and rolling stock will be a few of the less valuable cars from my layout. Got 4 or 5 working DC power packs, etc. About the only purchase I will need to make will be the plywood to put it on. This will be for demo only so there will be little or no scenery set up. Possibly a few buildings off the layout etc. but nothing fancy.[;)] Most of the presentation will be a Powerpoint presentation of both model railroading and some pics of the real stuff (Steam, that is!). Got 2 1/2 weeks to throw this all together as I just got back from Music (Church) Camp on Sunday and I was asked just 2 weeks ago if I would be willing to go up to the camp and put on a demo.