Railroading Merit Badge

This is material a group of leaders has gathered and produced to present the Railroading merit badge to a group of Scouts at a Merit Badge Challenge hosted in a classroom environment.

Since this is done in a group environment, a little homework, in class work on car kits and showing understanding of material on a written test is all the Scout needs to receive signoff.

Note that some of this material is copyrighted, so obey the law. Most times educational use of copyrighted material is ok.

Requirements (and how covered)

  1. History and Introduction
    2. As an introduction to train history and basic workings I show the History Channel - Stokin' the Fire DVD.
  2. Do THREE of the following:
    1. Name three types of modern freight trains. Explain why unit trains are more efficient than mixed freight trains.
      2. The Stokin' the Fire video touches on this. Slide presentation - Train Types (PowerPoint 1.3 Mb) (Adobe PDF 2.6 Mb)
    2. Name one Class I or regional railroad. Explain what major cities it serves, the locations of major terminals, service facilities, and crew change points, and the major commodities it carries.
      3. Usually not covered, but could be covered or assigned for home work.
    3. Using models or pictures identify 10 types of railroad freight or passenger cars. Explain the purpose of each type of car.
      4. Slide presentation - Train Cars (PowerPoint 7.8 Mb) (Adobe PDF 12.1 Mb)
    4. Explain how a modern diesel or electric locomotive develops power. Explain the terms dynamic braking and radial steering trucks.
      5. Slide presentation - How It Works (PowerPoint 0.6 Mb) (Adobe PDF 0.7 Mb) Slide presentation - How It Works 2 (PowerPoint 0.3 Mb) (Adobe PDF 0.3 Mb)
  3. Do the following:
    1. Explain the purpose and formation of Amtrak. Explain, by the use of a timetable, a plan for making a trip by rail between two cities at least 500 miles apart. List the times of departure and arrival at your destination, the train number, and the type of service you want.
      2. In class discussion of how to read a timetable and then the Scout completes this requirement as written homework. Here is the timetable for Amtrak's cardinal - (PowerPoint 88 kb) (Adobe PDF 71 kb)
    2. List and explain the various forms of public/mass transit using rail as the fixed guide path.
      3. Slide presentation - Passenger Train Classification (PowerPoint 2.1 Mb) (Adobe PDF 0.5 Mb)
      Handout - Public/Mass Transit Puzzles (Adobe PDF 0.1 Mb)
  4. Do ONE of the following:
    5. This section is left as written homework for the Scout.
    1. Name four departments of a railroad company. Describe what each department does.
    2. Tell about the opportunities in railroading that interest you most and why.
    3. Name four rail support industries, Describe the function of each one.
    4. With your parent's and counselor's approval, interview someone employed in the rail industry. Learn what that person does and how this person became interested in railroading. Find out what type of schooling and training are required for this position.
  5. Explain the purpose of Operation Lifesaver and its mission.
    6. A representative from Operation Lifesaver gives presentations applicable to the age group. Contact you local rep here. Here are some materials I collected from their web site. Slideshow - Operation Lifesaver (Adobe PDF 0.7 Mb)
  6. Do THREE of the following:
    7. All this is covered quite well by an Operation Lifesaver presentation. See requirement 4 above for links and information.
    1. List five safety precautions that help make trains safer for workers and passengers.
    2. Explain to your merit badge counselor why railroad rights-of-way are important for safety.
    3. List 10 safety tips to remember when you are near a railroad track (either on the ground or on a station platform) or aboard a train.
    4. Tell your counselor about the guidelines for conduct that should be followed when you are near or on railroad property. Explain the dangers of trespassing on railroad property.
    5. Tell what an automobile driver can do to safely operate a car at grade crossings, and list three things an automobile driver should never do at a grade crossing.
    6. Tell how to report a malfunction of grade crossing warning devices.
    7. List safety precautions a pedestrian should follow at a public crossing.
  7. Explain the appearance and meaning of the following warning signs and devices: advance warning sign, pavement markings, crossbucks, flashing red lights, crossing gates. Again, this is covered quite well by an Operation Lifesaver presentation. See requirement 4 above for links and information.
  8. Do EACH of the following:
    1. Explain how railroad signals operate and show two basic signal types using color and configuration.
      2. Slide presentation - Signaling (PowerPoint 1.2 Mb) (Adobe PDF 0.9 Mb) Slide presentation - Signaling 2 (PowerPoint 62 kb) (Adobe PDF 20 kb)
    2. Explain the meaning of three whistle signals.
      3. See Signaling slide presentations above.
    3. Describe a way to signal a train for an emergency stop.
      4. I think operation life saver discusses this, but if not then a brief example can be discussed.
    4. Explain the use and function of the EOTD (end-of-train device) or FRED (Flashing rear end device) used on the last car of most trains.
      5. Slide presentation - EOTD and FRED (PowerPoint 85 kb) (Adobe PDF 53 kb)
  9. Select ONE of the following special-interest areas and complete the requirements:
    1. Model Railroading - With your parent's and counselor's approval, do TWO of the following:
      1. Draw a layout of your own model railroad; or one that could be built in your home. Design a point-to-point track or loop with different routings. Include one of the following: turnaround or terminal or yard or siding.
        2. Can be assigned for homework if the Scout feels he can't understand scales in section 3 below or cannot build the car kit in section 2.
      2. Build one model railroad car kit or one locomotive kit.
        3. The NMRA donates two kits, typically a covered hopper and a box car. The boys are required to pay $10 but that does not cover the costs of the kits. With placemats, diagonal cutters, emory boards and glue, the boys assemble one of the kits in class with help from the leader when required. Car Kit Instructions - Accurail Covered Hopper (Jim MacKnight) (Word Doc 24 kb) (Adobe PDF 30 kb) Car Kit Instructions - Accurail Covered Hopper (Accurail's) (Adobe PDF 512 kb)
      3. Name the scale of four popular model railroad gauges. Identify the scale of four model cars or locomotives.
        4. G, O, HO, and N scale models of a hopper car are displayed in class with their associated ratios.
    2. Rail Fanning - With your parent's and counselor's approval, do TWO of the following:
      3. Rail fanning is not covered, but if the Scout is a rail fan, then he can complete this section as written homework instead of the Model Railroading section above.
      1. Visit a railroad museum, historical display, or a prototype railroad-sponsored public event. With permission, photograph, videotape, or sketch items of interest. Explain what you saw and describe your photos, sketches, or videotape.
      2. Purchase tickets and ride a scenic or historic railroad. Under supervision, photograph the equipment and discuss with your counselor the historic significance of the operation.
      3. Locate the Web site of four rail historical groups, then find information on the history of the rail preservation operations and purpose of each group. Talk with a member of one of the groups and find out how you might help.
      4. Plan a trip by rail between two points. Obtain a schedule and explain when the train should arrive at two intermediate points. Purchase the tickets and make the trip. Explain to your counselor what you saw.

Downloads and Links

Below are all of the downloads and links that were in the text above, along with other material that might be useful.

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