This Is For You | Timesaver Variation | Model Railroad Shunting Puzzle

This is pretty cool that your making a switching puzzle as well. These are good for critical thinking skills. MicroMark has track nail insertion pliers. - Jason

Excellent, I have this idea of a timesaver puzzle with an automated mainline running through it - either a loop, or an automated to-and-fro line so you have to manage shunting across the mainline between it's services as well as the normal shunt puzzle.

Your video is excellent - someday I'll build the idea IRL.

Nice build! Since it was a while back now, I'm wondering if you have any newer videos of operation on this layout. Could be a great playlist! Please link if you do have this already

Great little switching layout,I'm breaking down my current layout and looking to do a small shelf layout in ho scale. What do you think the size of yours would be in ho? Thanks chris

Looking for follow up other than the parts list. Some operation. How about a link.

I'm adding on a 1x4 staging yard for my 2.5'x4' n scale layout and I'm strongly considering building something like this, but I know it won't be as effective as I want it to be as a yard, but then it won't be as much fun to mess around with when it's not attached. Maybe it can seem like one of those english style puzzles. Inglenook?

One big thing is missing; magnetic uncouplers! Instead of regular straights you should've installed pre-made uncoupler straights. Using micro trains couplers with the uncoupling magnets makes switching operations that much more enjoyable!

Thank you so much for this video. This is really inspiring for a beginner like me.

You could build several "industries" to set into place and then move or use different ones to make things different instead of seeing the same industries all the time. It would be similar to using the moveable bumpers. A scrapyard in one session might be a fuel and oil supply in the next or some other industry. Be tricky, put an industry that needs more cars after one that does not.

Thanks for sharing this video and your thoughts. I have enjoyed T-trak. Plus shelf layouts. It seems I could easily modify your variation to create a long Z scale T-trak module that I could operate stand alone and incorporate into a larger T-trak layout.

Met you in Springfield in 2022! Good Luck!

Great layout. I was wondering however how did you print out the entire lay out?

Nice!

Nice job! I built a Timesaver a few years ago in HO. I used mostly stuff I had on hand, used Atlas Code 100 Snap switches, some Atlas flex track, etc. I think my only cash outlay was a quart of matte acrylic wall paint, a few Kadee uncoupler magnets, and some cheap Radio Shack push button switches to control the turnouts. The overall size is 12” x 72”. 1/4” plywood on a frame of 1”x2” strips, glued and nailed at every joint, resulting in a strong, rigid, relatively light structure. The control panel was mounted flush in the near right corner of the layout. I was going to buy a nice brushed aluminum door push plate to make the panel until I saw the price. Fortunately, Indiana uses flat (not embossed) printed auto license plates. An expired tag, cut down, flipped over and given a good sanding and/or a coat of paint, is a free substitute.

GoPros have issues with freezing.. I’ve tried avoiding that brand for that reason.

Regarding track pins. For many years I have used a wooden clothes peg ("clothes pin" as you guys say in the US) File a small groove in both of the 'pinching' faces of the peg. Just slightly smaller than the diameter of your track pin. Lay the peg along the track. Then whittle away the top of the side of the peg that is facing up so when you insert a track pin it sticks up from the shaved face. Now just tap lightly with a hammer and you can pierce the cork and even the first bit of wood. Remove the peg and finish setting the pin.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas. You addressed multiple details of track plans which I greatly appreciated ! Even with a relatively small layout you acknowledged flexibility quite well !

latex, caulk

Hi Heath! Love the shunting layout build! Technically it's a bit over my head being able to operate it over the internet, but still a great idea! I have thought about doing a little inglenook shunting puzzle layout in the future but before I do I need to sort out a reliable way of coupling and uncoupling. I assume you are using the micro-train method, I have tried this in the past and to be honest it's a royal pain trying to convert British stock, as Micro-train don't do a coupling for a NEM socket. I still have other options, Dapol easy shunt (similar to Micro-trains) Peco do a system using electro magnets which maybe more of a viable option but I will just have to do some testing first. Love watching your ideas in the live streams (which aren't so live for me as it's so late LOL!) as you also think outside of the box. Keep those ideas flowing! All the best Tony.

I like this shelf layout/ switch puzzle.I also like that it is a shorter video. Thanks for sharing, David

Great film Heath and a great subject that is close to my heart, I do like small space switching puzzles. Until next time...

Heath, I use the track Nail insertion tool sold by Micro-Mark. I also use push pins to hold the track in place while I nail down the track, keeping the track where it is supposed to be.

Looking good. Looking forward to the final build!

Great start, Heath. I really enjoyed watching your planning and progress on this switching puzzle layout. I am planning something similar just on 2" pink foam but am also planning on having buildings and scenery. Looking forward to future installments. Eddie

Please consider at least one tree on the layout... 🌲👍

Great video... i cant wait to play. I mean operate.

very interesting concept, can't wait to see how it all ends. is there going to be any magnetic uncoupling areas or is it just gonna be locomotives running around?

Surprised you didn’t use KATO track since you want to break it apart. But I guess for remote ops you need the delay or electro magnets to make it uncouple. Boring to switch if the cars don’t uncouple. And I guess you want to do some turnout learning for the future. Yes KATO can be DCC controlled. You should at least ballast and put in a back drop. That way it could fell like industrial switching. Well you already have suggestions on the nails, but you could just use a small nail punch. Good video good explanation.

That was an excellent, thorough, and fun video to see and here. Took me back to your early days, but with all the nuances and knowledge you've picked up or rediscovered over the last 20 or so months!

Looking good so far!

I like your plan there Heath. I have always thought it would be fun to remote op a layout, especially doing switching. If done right, it would be like the real thing. Someone there in person being the "man on the ground" and the engineer is remote with a limited view of what is happening.

Look forward to seeing this series develop.Great short & concise format for the video. This is right up my street & is tempting me to follow you with a similar project in HO.Keep up the good work!

Great video Heath! This is going to be very cool to run! You are farther along than I thought you were.

I made a slide hammer out of brass tube and a coat hanger for my track nails. I show off it's performance in my MRVU 39 (yard ladder & Toroises) This is going to a very rewarding project Heath, I can't wait to see it completed!! ~ Dennis

What a great way to give back! Can't wait to run trains on this while you are live streaming

Puzzles are fun, and more fun is trying to figure out your Track. Great Video.

Excellent. Thanks for sharing, Heath.

Hi ya Heath. Cool switching/shunting puzzle. Real slick production. I like the voice over narration. Maybe you could get Samuel Jackson next time! Lol. Just a thought in regards the track nails/pins. How about a thimble. Push those bad boys right down. Lol. See ya.

Heath, can you come help me build my layout? I can’t believe how fast you move! Ok, on a serious note, this looks like really cool project.

how is your dog doing

Very nice Heath, I'm using screws to hold down my n track

Good job Heath! I think you did great in documenting/illustrating the process of continued re-assessment and compromise required to design a truly functional layout, and did it in a concise, digestible presentation. This is going to be fun for all your subscribers.

Heath very impressive, I want to build this , please share your materials used for this build , excellent work

Very nice, Heath. I think it is very cool that you are making a switching puzzle. It is something I have wanted to do myself. This will be a very interesting series. Bill B.

Wow..awesome Heath...great job..thanks for sharing and keep up the great work..Lance p.s. can't wait for wiring..

OK, so we get to run your trains? Very Cool!

As far as pinning use a pliers with a slight bend in the tines. Use these as a mechanical advantage. Use these for jewelry pinning at werk

Very nice editing. Well worth that $1Mil you paid someone for. Interested in following and seeing how it goes. Also I kind of missed the “All about ..” music intro.

Very nice Heath, I like you modified design, looks like it will be a nice switching challenge.

This is a great start Heath-even if its N scale. Looking forward to following this