Cub Scout Timesaver project

Puzzle solving parts of what, the layout (Which looks like it, mainly dependent on the locomotive and rolling stock size you have.) or rank advancement requirements (Which you haven't posted, and very, very few here would even know.)?

Railroading Merit Badge applies to By Scouts, not Bears/Webelos. TimeSaver is an excellent tool for use when presenting this Merit Badge.

As for transcending scale, John Allen's original TimeSaver was HO, not O. The O scale version I built has been a lot of fun to run!

Our Boy Scout troop built one a few years back for Railroading Merit Badge.

The most expensive parts are the switches.  The Bachmann track can get expensive.

Ours, which matched John Allen's, cost almost $200.

I would try to get in touch with local train clubs for help.

Usually there is a profusion of stuff that people don't use anymore.  As people progress in the hobby, they move away from the train sets.

It may be easier to replace all the track and switches with Atlas snap switches and flex track.

The idea of the time saver was to explore the switching by local freight trains. There is no set scheme for this.  You can download HO scale paper buildings on line for free, set up a small town of industries and run track to them.  The challenge is to remove the "empty" freight cars and replace them with "Full" freight cars.

The Cubs will have to work on the puzzle of how to get the cars moved around to do this. The only key feature you need is the run around track so you can get the engine onto either end of a freight car.

You don't need electrically operated switches either.  You can use one Cub as an engineer and the other as a brakeman.

Former Cubmaster

(Contact me by email if I can help further)

I'm a former Cubmaster as well (Also former Assistant Scoutmaster, and an Eagle Scout.), which is why I asked about the advancement requirements.  I happen to know that the whole Cub Scout program is changing this summer, but didn't know what the new requirements are, so I don't know if the Time Saver will meet the puzzle solving items, let alone what the puzzle solving items are.

The Timesaver can be a fun project.....Here are some pics from 2012 when we got our Blue Comet Honorable Mention......that really is me (about 40 lbs heavier) and Tom (Gilly@N&W).

Peter

First a comment on your plan, try to eliminate some of the curves, coupling and uncoupling will be a chore rather than fun and challenging.  Those tight curves are asking for trouble.  The original time saver had all final destinations for the freight cars on straight track.  If you live near a hobby shop see if they have a used section where you can obtain old brass sectional track for pennies on the dollar.  Switches can also be had for a few bucks each.  You only need 5, try to find them then build out from there.  Keep them manual, have them checked first for electrical issues and proper gauging.  As a last resort you can find all sorts of used HO track on ebay at very low prices.  Also it looks like your plan is 7 feet by 2 feet, check your web source again, time saver can be managed in a 6 ft by 18 inch space, perhaps even down to 1 foot in width.  Makes transportation easier.  Look at http://www.carendt.com/small-layout-scrapbook/ for other examples of how to plan a time saver.

necrails has good points about the switching and straight tracks.

We used a piece 2" thick pink insulation from the Depot.

I covered the edges with plastic baseboard trim that they sell.

Made it very easy to carry.

Don't use bumpers at the end of the lines.

The Cubs will smash the couplers in no time. (lesson learned the hard way)

Another layout I saw used two nails and a rubber band as the bumper to stop the trains.

Hi everyone, I really appreciated all of the help. I especially want to thank the folks at