Switchman's Sharpener in N Scale

For some people, one of their favorite parts of operating a model railroad is switching. One way for them to get a concentrated dose of this is with a switching game. A switching game usually is a small point-to-point layout that features a problem that needs to be solved. There are lots of variations in track plans and levels of completion. Some may have completed scenery and structures with detailed rolling stock while others are just track on an unscenicked board. Some may have a complete control panel while others only have an on-off switch. The difference can vary greatly while the end result is still the same. Most often you will find these at train shows and conventions as contests. The rules can vary from layout to layout. For example, some are based on how quickly the goal can be achieved while others are based on who can do it in the fewest number of moves. One of the classic examples of a switching game was one developed by the well-known modeler John Allen called the Timesaver. The track plan has been published in many publications over the years. The rules can vary slightly but typically it is played with six cars and a locomotive and based on who can switch the designated cars to the various locations in the quickest amount of time. John Allen recommended using a controller that when turned on was only set to one speed. This means that the speed of the trains would be kept slow and not at a jackrabbit pace. This game can be found everywhere. Some people have even used the design in their home or club layouts.

The concept of a switching game is perfect for a module. I recently built a small switching game in N-scale. It has provided a unique experience in that it was my first attempt at N-scale and it gave me an opportunity to practice my switching skills. My plan came from the Kalmbach book How to Operate Your Model Railroad and is called the Switchman’s Sharpener. The design worked out well for a oNeTRAK module and kept the dimensions to a minimal 1’x4’. Having never worked in N-scale before the investment was small but still allowed me a chance to try it. The setting for the module is in the Green Mountains of Vermont and features a factory as the main industry being served. Presumably, the factory would require several different types of railroad cars to make the switching game more interesting. The module also features a built in backdrop and a simple carrier that holds everything from the module to all the removable pieces to allow for easy transportation. The benchwork was built from birch plywood and the track is all Atlas components. For scenic interest a hill and overpass was added to the left side of the module and a stream with a stone bridge added to the right side of the module.-Modular Railroading Staff