I am looking in to the Switch to N, im not quite ready yet but do some research in to it, as well as some layouts. I would also like to finish my first HO layout. I came across this site( http://www.nscale.net/Article128.html ) today, I am interested in a switching layout and I think this might be fun to build and model before I jump in to a huge project, has anyone made anything like this before or used a Time saver plan for a layout? I know it was ment to be a puzzle but it looks like it could be some fun to model and add on to the side of a layout
I made an HO scale timesaver. In my case it was an N scaler wanting to run a HO scale steamer and a handfull of cars. I liked it alot. I sort of abandoned it for a while but have been thinking of hauling it back out to the living room for some fun. I looked at that link and can see its more of a two time saver within a layout sort of design. It seems like it would be really cluttery. (looks good on paper, but doesn't really show how much space the track takes up. My advice would be to build a time saver as a stand alone unit. Then build something with an oval for running. I'd say so long as you use manual switches and flex track you can do it fairly cheap, one loco and five cars and you're off and running. With 1'x4' 2" foam you can probably make the TS completely light weight and portable.
The local chapter of the NMRA (St Lawrence Division) has a 2x6 HO timesaver module (http://members.fortunecity.com/gknowles/sld_module/sld_module_index.htm) that is a hit at local train shows and meetings. They have a mainline that could be adapted to some sort of interface with another layout. It should scale easily to 2x4 in Nscale. Andrew
I'm sorry I missed this thread. Are you looking for a "time saver" as in the puzzle or a switching layout? If it is a switching layout my favorite is: This has: Switching A yard Expansion options I have ommited the grid so you can envision how it would fit your space best.
Im looking for a switching puzzle that can function as an operational layout or expansion to a layout. At most I have a 2 X 4 space, I have looked at a lot of layouts, I think the thing that appeals most to me right now is a switching layout, even more so a switching layout that has continuous running. Right now I am just in a planning stage, I have no funds but looking in to the idea of a layout. As i am trying to finish my HO scale mining layout(which I am currently bored with.)
Here is an old version (but mostly still accurate) of my 2x4 with a timesaver. It's coming along nicely.
