Lacking room for my plans of a 4x8, I decided to go with a shelf layout based on John Allen's famous Timesaver switching puzzle. The plan is based on a modification of Allen's original by Emrys Hopkins.
The excitement of the moment made me want to rush, and I kinda did–this part was done in 2 nights (~10 hrs.) with what general tools I had at hand. This ain't no pro job, but what the hell, a smidgen of realism is fine to be sacrificed for the sake of pride in accomplishing something!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture1-1.png)
First job was to cover the 1x6 ft. board with fabric. Easier than I thought it would be thanks to Mr. Staple Gun.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2164.jpg)
Laying the first strip of roadbed in place.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2163.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2166.jpg)
Nailing down the first strips. Remember, measure twice and hammer once!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2167.jpg)
The first 3 feet of roadbed in place!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture2.png)
After 3 more feet, with track put in place for testing (not nailed down.)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2169.jpg)
The Irish express engine was my test loco, and it ran perfectly in preliminary tests (aka Can't Wait to Run Trains Time!)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2172.jpg)
Percy poses at the north end.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2174.jpg)
My first real challenge–filling the gap between the switch and siding...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2177.jpg)
...so it's Mr. Atlas Super Saw to the rescue!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2175.jpg)
With a little grunt work, the first switch is down.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2176.jpg)
Obstacle #2–the crossing.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture1.png)
The crossing is set in place–albeit a tad crooked.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2179.jpg)
The south end of the yard after the first two sidings were down...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2178.jpg)
...and the north.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture3.png)
Overall view after 1/2 to 2/3 completion of the Clockmaster Mark I. What's going in that blank strip, you ask? Well...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2181.jpg)
...that's what these are for–two more sidings on a simple crossover.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2183.jpg)
Youch, that switch box is cramped! Better add some track in between.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2185.jpg)
Laying down the roadbed for the north siding, and adding support for the adjacent switch mechanism–the latter was done with all switches.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2186.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2187.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2190.jpg)
Some views of the double siding. Track and roadbed are (for) now complete!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture5.png)
Overall view.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2195.jpg)
An old Pannier tank pulls in with a goods while James shunts.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2196.jpg)
"Edward had warned Percy–'Be careful on the main line. Whistle to the signalman you are there.' "
So that's it for the moment! I plan to expand later when the switching possibilities here begin to tire me–lengthwise or forming an L. Scenery will obviously be added, perhaps a backdrop if I can swing it. What do you think?
The excitement of the moment made me want to rush, and I kinda did–this part was done in 2 nights (~10 hrs.) with what general tools I had at hand. This ain't no pro job, but what the hell, a smidgen of realism is fine to be sacrificed for the sake of pride in accomplishing something!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture1-1.png)
First job was to cover the 1x6 ft. board with fabric. Easier than I thought it would be thanks to Mr. Staple Gun.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2164.jpg)
Laying the first strip of roadbed in place.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2163.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2166.jpg)
Nailing down the first strips. Remember, measure twice and hammer once!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2167.jpg)
The first 3 feet of roadbed in place!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture2.png)
After 3 more feet, with track put in place for testing (not nailed down.)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2169.jpg)
The Irish express engine was my test loco, and it ran perfectly in preliminary tests (aka Can't Wait to Run Trains Time!)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2172.jpg)
Percy poses at the north end.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2174.jpg)
My first real challenge–filling the gap between the switch and siding...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2177.jpg)
...so it's Mr. Atlas Super Saw to the rescue!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2175.jpg)
With a little grunt work, the first switch is down.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2176.jpg)
Obstacle #2–the crossing.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture1.png)
The crossing is set in place–albeit a tad crooked.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2179.jpg)
The south end of the yard after the first two sidings were down...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2178.jpg)
...and the north.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture3.png)
Overall view after 1/2 to 2/3 completion of the Clockmaster Mark I. What's going in that blank strip, you ask? Well...
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2181.jpg)
...that's what these are for–two more sidings on a simple crossover.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2183.jpg)
Youch, that switch box is cramped! Better add some track in between.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2185.jpg)
Laying down the roadbed for the north siding, and adding support for the adjacent switch mechanism–the latter was done with all switches.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2186.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2187.jpg)
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2190.jpg)
Some views of the double siding. Track and roadbed are (for) now complete!
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/Picture5.png)
Overall view.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2195.jpg)
An old Pannier tank pulls in with a goods while James shunts.
![](http://i372.photobucket.com/albums/oo167/bendover473/TIMESAVER%20RESIZED%20PICS/IMG_2196.jpg)
"Edward had warned Percy–'Be careful on the main line. Whistle to the signalman you are there.' "
So that's it for the moment! I plan to expand later when the switching possibilities here begin to tire me–lengthwise or forming an L. Scenery will obviously be added, perhaps a backdrop if I can swing it. What do you think?