Railroading Merit Badge Activity Planner

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Have fun doing Railroading. Did you know you get a job working on real trains for a living even today?
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'Patrol Leader Merit Badge Planning Guide for the Railroading Merit Badge

*** Activities for the Youth Lead Patrol ***

Exploring Railroading can be a fascinating youth adventure when done right. Here are a few tips to help the patrol leader get started.

  • Scouts may never add or subtract from the actual merit badge requirements
  • This Planner is only a suggestion of different ideas to make working this Merit Badge both fun and easy.
  • While doing the Worksheet is not a requirement for earning this badge, in many cases it can help you learn key concepts and track your progress.
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A. Make Your Plan

Sample Patrol Activity Flyer
  1. Merit Badge Activity Planning Tips - 14 tips for a successful patrol activity. Read carefully before you start your plan!
  2. Share Your Plan - Meet ahead of time with your patrol, scout leaders, parents and especially with the Merit Badge Counselor. Make changes to the plan as needed.
  3. Prepare Activity Flyer - Keep your fellow scouts informed - events, activities, pre-requisites and more.
Patrol Activity GREAT Superb activity for first time scouts!
Virtual Field Trip GREAT Scouts can assemble a model railroad at home for Req #8a.
Family Activity GREAT Scouts can assemble a model railroad at home for Req #8a.
Service Activity FAIR Service for railway museums
S.T.E.M. Activity GREAT Learn modern Mass Transit Technology
Field Trip GREAT Superb activity for first time scouts!
Duty-to-God POOR N/A
MB Day GREAT Best if MBC brings in Model Railroad kits
Overnighter FAIR Limited camping availability
Summer Camp GREAT Superb activity for first time scouts! Add cost for model train kits.


Online Resources


B. Introduction Meeting

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Most merit badge activities do best to have a "introduction" meeting where the patrol can discuss how to get started and to plan out their field trips.

News Flash

C. Homework / Prerequisites

Assign one or more requirements that the scout can do at home, perhaps as a family activity.

D. Study Hall Patrol Night

While some scouts may be adept at self-study, others may do better in a small group setting and taking notes on worksheets. Make an agenda. You can facilitate discussion by asking them why each of the principles introduced here would be relevant. Schedule one or more patrol meetings to work this merit badge.

Pre-Open Gathering Activity

A gathering activity before the official meeting start is a great way to set a fun theme for the meeting.

  • Toy trains display
  • Model railroad setup

MBC Discussion Group

Discuss with your MBC the following : (Note any or all of these discussion requirements may happen during a Railroading Field Trip (see below). The Railroad Merit Badge Book will most helpful for a Patrol discussion,)

  • Req #1: Discussion - Freight Trains Discussion
  • Req #2: Discussion - Mass Transit Discussion
  • Req #3: Discussion - Railroad Company Operations
  • Req #4: Discussion - Operation Lifesaver -
  • Req #5: Discussion - Railroad Safety
  • Req #6: Discussion - Railroad Warning Equipment
  • Req #7: Discussion - Rail Signals

E. Field Trip

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Completing Req #8 - The railroading field trip is the best part of this merit badge activity. You have two major options.
(For a very fun time - try doing both 8a and 8b as a patrol.)

Model Railroad Kit Construction

Consult with your MBC - He may have access to useful resources
8a. 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 orterminal or yard or siding.
  • 2) Build one model railroad car kit or one locomotive kit.
  • 3) Name the scale of four popular model railroad gauges. Identify the scale of four model cars or locomotives.
  • 4) Locate the Web site of four model railroad-related manufacturers or magazine publishers. Print information on their products and services and discuss the information with your counselor.
  • 5) Build one railroad structure (from scratch or using a kit), paint and weather the structure, mount it on your layout or diorama, and make the surrounding area on the diorama scenic.
  • 6) Alone or with others, build a model railroad or modular layout including ballast and scenery. Make electrical connections and operate a train. Describe what you enjoyed most.
  • 7) Participate in a switching contest on a timesaver layout and record your time.
  • 8) Explain the difference between powering and controlling a model railroad by using direct current, and powering and controlling a model railroad using digital command control.

Railfan Field Trip

8b. Railfanning - With your parent's and counselor's approval, do TWO of the following:

  • 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.

F. Extra Credit

While none of these are actual requirements for this merit badge - they are terrific opportunities to show Scout Spirit, Do A Good Turn Daily and to have FUN!

  1. Activity Reflection: Use this meeting for scouts to ask questions and to reflect on what they gained personally from this adventure. You can also have a discussion on what future opportunities are here.
  2. Court of Honor Exhibit: Pictures, handiwork and other memorabilia from this adventure will make for a great presentation at the next Scout Troop Court of Honor.

Railroading Service Project

Many historic railroads and museums have an abundance of service project opportunities.

UP Engine #2010

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Union Pacific Railroad has created a special locomotive as a tribute to scouting. The UP No. 2010 Boy Scouts of America Locomotive commemorates the organization’s 100th Anniversary and its century of service to the nation. The locomotive, which was unveiled in Houston, Texas, on March 31, 2010, represents these two American icons coming together to celebrate progress, patriotism, and 100 years of Scouting.

Noyo Scout Camp

Noyo Scout Camp, a BSA summer camp facility near Willits CA, is owned and operated by Redwood Empire Council. This unique scout camp is Found deep inside Northern California's Redwood Forests, and is only accessible by riding the world famous Skunk Train. Since 1885 the historic Skunk has made its way through old-growth redwood groves, over scenic trestle bridges, through spectacular tunnels, and into the heart of the Noyo River canyon. Today’s riders enjoy the same pristine views that have remained largely unchanged for well over a century.

Sample Railway MB Programs

The following railroading sites have a special merit badge program ready to go.

  • Niles Canyon Railway -
  • Pacific Southwest Railway Museum
  • Rocky Mountain Train Show - The Largest Train Show West of the Mississippi!
  • SLO Railroad Museum - The Railroad History of California's Central Coast
  • YouTube Video - Transportation in 2: Boy Scouts Railroad Merit Badge Day (2011 Video)
  • CMRM Winter Newsletter - Hosts special event for local Boy Scout University
  • Boy Scout Model Railroad Kit by Lionel - This special train set incorporates the values of the Boy Scouts of America into the Lionel tradition, giving Scouts and alumni a chance to play. This set includes: Die-cast 0-8-0 steam locomotive, tender, bulkhead flatcar with box and wheel load, operating derrick car, BSA Oath boxcar with opening doors, work caboose with interior illumination, three straight FasTrack track sections, eight curved FasTrack track sections, a FasTrack terminal section, CW-80 Transformer, smoke fluid. Set also includes BSA/Lionel collector’s patch.
  • Gary Gilthens RR MB Program - Hosted by the Oklahoma Railway Museum.
  • BSA Troop 964 at the Train Show - (Dale City, Virginia)
  • Pioneer Park Railway Museum Tour - It's not advertised as a railroad city anymore, but Scout Master Robb Halverson (BSA Troop 462) chose to bring his troop to the Railroad Museum within Pioneer Park to learn about the train hub Rhinelander once was.
  • First State Model Railroad Club - started their Scouting USA Railroading merit badge program on April 12, 2003 by hosting 20 scouts from 6 troops throughout the Del-Mar-Va Council. Super fun six hour program includes all requirements of the RRMB plus building free model train kits.
  • A Boy Scout Rides the Train - Story highlights the Scout Law when riding local Mass Transit.
  • InterUrban Railway Museum - Clever model railway exhibit combines both the Electricity and the Railroading merit badges.
  • Golden Spike National Historic Site - One of the greatest technological achievements of the 19th century, the completion of the first transcontinental railroad across the United States. Visitors to the park can see the location of the Last Spike Site, 1869 railroad construction features, walk or drive on the original railroad grade, and get an up close view of Victorian era replica locomotives. (Fulfills requirements for American Heritage and Citizenship in the Nation Merit Badges.)
  • Cowcatcher Magazine - "Oklahoma Railway Museum kicks off Scout Merit Badge Program with railroad tales, tour and a ride". (Ask your MBC what a cowcatcher is on a train!)

Related Merit Badges

Sometimes it is easier by doing two or more merit badges together as a joint activity: