I was wondering if someone could give me some help or some ideas with a timesaver project. I've wanted to build one in N scale for a while but for some reason I never started it. Building it was not my problem, but deciding what structures is use was my stumbling block. Now if someone would be kind enough to give me some insight on which structures to use and where they would place them, it may just get me started some time soon. I guess about 5 or 6 buildings or places of business that would get rail service. Loads in and loads out... you get the idea. My plan is to use a 44 tonner for the motive power, and to use nothing over 50' in car length. I like to see the trains running but switching with a purpose is more of a challenge. If you can help me out with this stumbling block, I'll use you name on one of the businesses. Thanks for your help. Please feel free to draw on the plan, so I can get a better feel for how the operation is to work.
It doesn't matter, put in whatever industries will fit in the space that support the types of cars you are intersted in.
KISS [Keep It Simple Stupid] Applies Here. Use the KISS principal here. Don't get too complicated. The TIMESAVER track plan can be fun to operate with NO buildings on it at all. It seems that just as you think you've got all the right moves and shortest time down, somebody comes along and does it with less moves and/or a better time!!! Just make sure your trackwork is BULLETPROOF.
You might consider industries you can physically move between your main layout and the time saver. That might make storing and transporting the time saver easier.
First use one industry per siding while leaving one open for a "kick" track where you can place a car out of the way. As far as industries any 1 or 2 car industry should work. Based on my car type preference my choices would be grocery distributor, lumber company and scrap yard..
I googled Timesaver John Allen...lots of sites, including: Model Railways Shunting Puzzle Website Info on the history, design, and game rules of the original Timesaver, plus examples. Bear Creek and South Jackson Follow the links to see how Charlie Comstock added the Timesaver to his second layout as the town of Jallen. One person's cautions on using the Timesaver track configuration as a Layout Design Element in a larger layout.
Hi, The basis of my layout (NScale) is the Time Saver. The one thing I wished I had done was to put a few more inches between the switches so that I can place a few more cars, I tried to stick with the car count based on 50 ft cars as the original Time Saver. Other then that I enjoy having it in the middle of the layout. My operating plan puts it in the middle of an industrial district. As for customers served, pick anything you feel comfortable with. Gary Gary
I'm working on one now that literally folds in half and goes into a custom box. the center tracks are my main line, and on either end I routered out a groove to allow myself to attach Kato Unitrak, so I can have a loop of track with it, I also have one stub end siding and double end siding to allow me to have rolling stock to bring in to the puzzle when the rolling stock goes out. as for buildings on mine, the center left is a station, the right upper siding is a warehouse, the lower left side is a factory that the tracks actually run into the building, and the facing movement siding on the bottom right is a team track with a small loading platform I scratchbuild. when not running the loop of track I have 2 Kato bumper tracks I attach to both ends that have the Kato unitrak attached to prevent accidental run offs. One of these days I will get it to the point where I want to show it. Right now all I got done is a few buildings, soil painted, the first layer of turf, styrine roads, and a 4" section of the track is ballasted. I need to make one more building, trees, shrubs, add other color turf to the scene, paint and weather the roads, and just genral weathering and painting overall.
Do whatever you'd like. Although developed as a simple game without scenery, counting moves and fighting the clock, you can evolve it to any extent from there. Boxcab E50
C Bolick: I say do not even use a timesaver! Not only are they not prototype but If you are interested in operation, you will wonder why you ever installed one. I think most model railroaders have moved beyond Timesavers. If you do want one please keep it separate from the layout, you will not be sorry.
Once you pick the industries, don't glue the buildings down. Keep them mobile so you can swap the buildings around to different locations. That will let you mix up the switching more.
People love or hate the Timesaver. I think it is great because it serves the purpose of introducing the public to the concept of switching. They are fascinated by it. And while the Timesaver is pretty unprototypical as-is, the concept of a run-around track is prototipical. The Timesaver is like Microsoft bundling Solitaire with Windows 3.1. Do you think they did that so people would simply waste a billion hours at the office? (even though it did accomplish that) No, it was a training tool to get people to use the new-fangled mouse. Timesaver teaches people how to do switching moves. I don't get bent out of shape over it. I have one on a one foot module and love to invite guests to use it. And since it is modular, I can take it anywhere.
Thanks to all who have replied to my question. It seems to be a love/hate thing with a timesaver. Even if it isn't a prototypical setup of any real life railroad, I think a nicely detailed setup would be fun to mess around with. My big question was about the industries that could be used, but I guess that could be just about anything.
C Bolick - I needed something to keep me busy and involved in the Winter Layout party last year and I used the exact plan idea you posted. Turned out great for a little switching layout. It keeps me occupied until THE layout gets started. Here's a couple snaps and the rest are in my railimages From that - to this
Tank car- easy - needs nothing. Tank cars can be used for fuel for the loco. Just put an out building nearby. Just use a tank car appropriate for fuel (not labeled as corn syrup or something) Hopper car- easy- needs nothing but a conveyor and a dump truck Like this... Model Tech Studios N JN1057 Conveyor [SIZE=+1][SIZE=+1]Dyna-Model Products [/SIZE][/SIZE][SIZE=-1]Part #DYN-200[/SIZE] Boxcar- easy- almost any kind of building with a loading ramp and doors. Common. Like these.... Heljan N 641 Small Freight Station Heljan N 674 [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1]Cold Storage Plant[/SIZE][/FONT] That leaves the flat car and the gondola. Flat car can just use a ramp where you drive things up on it. And you could put a buldozer or something like that one it. Like...... Blair Line N 074 Loading Ramp Kit That leaves the Gon- a bit harder for me. You can just place scrap metal in it and place almost any building next to it like the boxcar above. Hope that helps. Ron
