Scouts
Calling all Boy Scouts - Earn the Railroading Merit Badge!
The Reading Railroad Heritage Museum offers instruction in Scouting’s
Railroading Merit Badge led by Museum Docent and Eagle Scout, David
Adams. Through both the work you will complete before you attend class
and the hands-on instruction provided during the all-day class at the
Museum, interested Scouts will gain insight into the past, present and
future of Railroading and will successfully earn the merit badge.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY ASPECT OF THE RAILROADING MERIT BADGE CLASS, THAT IS NOT COVERED IN THE INFORMATION BELOW, PLEASE CONTACT CLASS COORDINATOR DAVID ADAMS AT: scouting@readingrailroad.org
IMPORTANT! Pre-Class Work Required!
Before attending the Railroading Merit Badge class, Scouts
must print out this
workbook. Requirements 1a, 3a, 4a, 4b, 4c, 4d, and 4e MUST be completed PRIOR to the start of class!
The remaining requirements will be covered during the class when Scouts will complete the
remainder of the workbook. The workbook must be completed to be issued a "blue card" and
be awarded the badge. There are a few short quizzes throughout the class, with a test at the
end of the day. The completed workbook can be used as reference during the test.
Class Agenda:
10:00-10:15: Arrival and Registration
10:15-10:30: Introduction: video “The Reading Railroad Shaped Communities”
10:25-10:50: Introduction to Freight Railroads
10:50-11:15: How a Train Develops Power, Dynamic Breaking, & Radial Steering Trucks
11:15-11:40: The formation of Amtrak & Planning a Trip Using a Time Table
11:40-11:50: Ten Minute Break
11:50-12:10: Various Forms of Public/ Mass Transit
12:10-12:30: Operation Lifesaver
12:30-01:00: Lunch
01:00-02:00: Tour
02:00-02:45: Signals & Layout
02:45-03:00: Test & Blue Card Completion
*Schedule Subject to Change When Necessary
Class Schedule:
Merit Badge Instruction will be offered on the following dates. If classes are full, they will be crossed out, so check back often for the most current status. On all class days, Check-in begins at 10:00 AM. The class begins at 10:15 AM and ends at 3:30 PM and includes a 30-minute break for lunch.
Dates for 2024 classes:
Email to learn class dates
What you will need:
Boy Scout Class B Uniform
$10.00 fee for the class
Museum Merit Badge Workbook
Bag lunch (no glass bottles, please)
If you would like to complete the "build a model" requirement, there will be an additional
$10.00 fee for the model
A clipboard or something hard to write upon and a writing instrument.
Spending money if you would like to buy model train materials, and/or various Reading Railroad books/items from the Museum Gift Shop.
Registration:
Registrations are being accepted for all class dates and is on a "first come, first serve" basis. Space for each class is limited to 15 Scouts and approximately 5 adults. The time-stamp of your email registration will determine scheduling priority.
ATTENTION SCOUT LEADERS!
Ask us about additional availability to bring your interested scouters for their own class. Get at least 8 registered scouters and bring them to the museum for their own class. Contact us at scouting@readingrailroad.org to work on availability.
Blue Cards:
Each scout should bring a blue card which will be signed upon satisfactory course completion. If your Scout does not return with the "blue card," you should not award the badge. Questions regarding completion should be directed to the course registrar at scouting@readingrailroad.org.To Register:
Fill out the Registration Form.
Be sure to complete all fields and to include this
required information:
Scout's name, troop number, district
Contact name, phone number and email address
Numbers of any unit leaders / parents who will attend (adult attendance is welcome, but not required)
Scoutmaster's name and email address
You will receive an email message confirming your registration. If you do NOT receive an
email, you are NOT registered for the class! The emails are responded to manually. It may
take a few hours or a day to receive a response.
PLEASE NOTE:
Standard BSA procedure requires Scoutmaster approval before a Scout begins work on a merit badge, which is why Scoutmasters have to sign the "blue cards." Prior to the class, Scoutmasters will receive an email with a roster of registrants from their troop. Approval will be implied unless we are notified otherwise. Scoutmasters will also be asked to help us minimize no-shows by reminding the Scouts to attend or to provide a timely cancellation notification to the Registrar. This courtesy reflects on the honor of both the troop and the individual Scout.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY ASPECT OF THE RAILROADING MERIT BADGE CLASS, PLEASE CONTACT CLASS COORDINATOR DAVID ADAMS AT scouting@readingrailroad.org
Railroading Merit Badge Instructions - Additional LinksMerit Badge WorkbookRegistration Form |
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