Large Scale Central

Switiching Game

Operations
#1

Not sure if this is the correct place for this question, but I’m looking for site or ideas for creating a fun and interactive switching game for my scouts to have fun with. I’d like to set up some track with switches and sidings to create a puzzle like game where the kids have to problem solve and get things to the right place. I appreciate anyone’s comments.

Thanks,

Richard

#2

Here is a link to the classic “time saver” puzzle.

http://www.wymann.info/ShuntingPuzzles/sw-timesaver.html

Happy RRing!

#3

https://www.transum.org/Software/Shunting/Puzzles.asp

#4

Our club, the SDGRS (www.sdgrs.com) brings a timesaver to the annual Scout meeting each year… we have to original one in our model train museum.

Works nicely, and there’s a lot of history behind it, as well as giving a consistent challenge where the Scouts can have something to gauge their performance by.

http://sdgrs.com/pictures/timesaver-switching-puzzle

Greg

#5

Thanks for the links!! I am ready to get started building the “time saver” and giving the scouts a fun challenge. We are also planning a near future trip taking Amtrak to Sacramento to visit the train museum in Old Town.

Richard

#6

Greg,

You said - “we have to original one in our model train museum.”

I was unaware the original John Allen Puzzle survived the fire after his death. Do you know of the background story behind this and how it ended up in the museum?

#7

I missed this one Ric… there were two of them originally, note the single switch to nowhere at the top center? that connected to it’s mate.

You can find pictures of John operating one of them and the other is connected.ry

check this page, and at least one of the links on it, there’s history http://sdgrs.com/pictures/timesaver-switching-puzzle

Greg

#8

[edited because I finally read the OP correctly]

Though not a physical game, this online one might be a useful adjunct game. Involves the logic of positioning cars, throwing turnouts, and making the various moves:

https://www.railserve.com/Computers/swf/railroadshuntingpuzzle.html

#9

Richard, if you are going to do this, you really need somebody dynamic that will not only relate to the kids but make them want to get involved. Ric did an excellent job of this in York (the most patient person I have ever seen), and he really got the kids interested in wanting to run the trains correctly. He taught them hand and whistle signals as well as introduced them to truly operating the trains.

#10

                

 

 

#11

Note:

  • kadee couplers
  • using kadee magnetic uncoupling
  • “traditional” fwd/back/stop control (as in original John Allen setup)
  • manual ground throws

One mistake at 3:44, he does not want to pick up the yellow gondola, but he did not originally set it far enough down the siding… he has to get rid of it again…

and same problem at 5:08…

If he had used the delayed uncoupling when he set it out at 2:15 he would have saves some extra moves and time…

(of course I could not come anywhere close to his time myself!)

Greg

#12

Greg Elmassian said:

I missed this one Ric… there were two of them originally, note the single switch to nowhere at the top center? that connected to it’s mate.

You can find pictures of John operating one of them and the other is connected.ry

check this page, and at least one of the links on it, there’s history http://sdgrs.com/pictures/timesaver-switching-puzzle

Greg

Greg,

Thanks for pointing me back to this site. I’ve been here many times, but just overlooked the part about the original puzzle. Very interesting and I’ve gone back and reread all of it. Its still a great puzzle, subject and a bit of model railroad history.

#13

To each his own. For me, timing a puzzle puts too much stress on me, but without the timer I will typically have a big grin on my face as I try to solve it. I am not sure the guy in that video is having fun…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

#14

Bruce D. Chandler said:

To each his own. For me, timing a puzzle puts too much stress on me, but without the timer I will typically have a big grin on my face as I try to solve it. I am not sure the guy in that video is having fun…(https://www.largescalecentral.com/externals/tinymce/plugins/emoticons/img/smiley-foot-in-mouth.gif)

This is why I build models, run them roundy round and take pictures. The rest is too stressful.

#15

There are many ways to enjoy the timesaver:

  1. timed

  2. number of moves

  3. just completing it (me!)

Greg

#16

Me, I just take a manifest list, make up a local, deliver the goods, enjoy an adult beverage.

#17

Greg Elmassian said:

There are many ways to enjoy the timesaver:

  1. timed

  2. number of moves

  3. just completing it (me!)

Greg

I haven’t completed any of the online ones. I keep mousetrapping myself. Ya know, to me, its too much like work.

#18

I’ve always worked “like cars” for “like cars”, in other words a box car for a box car and a tank car for a tank car. This doesn’t quite work with the “time or number of moves” scoring, because in some cases finding a place for the car you removed before delivery of the new car is quite the challenge. Once all inbound cars are delivered, then you can make up your train to get out of town. Limited space on the tracks, really limits where outbound cars can be stored.

#19

For the boy scouts; I think the brakemen on the ground would be using hand signals to guide the engineer, as a team effort.

A conductor can present the list and guide their choices.

#20

We were given pretty clear parameters for the Boy Scouts, to accomplish a task independently to achieve a merit badge.

I think teaming would make that more difficult. We are going to have our larger incarnation of the Timesaver at their yearly meeting again.

Greg