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Model train lift - scale HO

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Ivan Burvenich, Mar 12, 2020.

Model train lift - scale HO

Model train lift - scale HO

Discussion in 'Other Builds' started by Ivan Burvenich, Mar 12, 2020.

This build is about a model train lift in a secure and dust free storage. It is a roll on/roll off concept for a model train layout.

C-Beam model train lift
  1. Ivan Burvenich

    Ivan Burvenich New
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    Ivan Burvenich published a new build:

    Read more about this build...
     
    #1 Ivan Burvenich, Mar 12, 2020
  2. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    As a fellow railway modeller (UK so 00 gauge) I will follow this with interest.
    Alex.
     
    #2 Alex Chambers, Mar 12, 2020
  3. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    Loved my Hornby Intercity 225 when I was a kid! :D

    Wonder how feasible it would be to do it as a sort of wine rack toolchanger, where part of the motion is in an "L" to plug into the track connectors so it can roll off under its own power and the rest is just indexing the various stations up and down.
     
    #3 Rob Taylor, Mar 13, 2020
  4. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Wiping contacts is a well established method to connect an otherwise isolated section of track - eg turntables.
    Indexing the various stations up and down? I thought the idea was to move the trains rather than the rest of the layout?  :p:D:rolleyes: - though with the weight @Ivan Burvenich is talking about that might be an idea lol.
    Alex.
     
    #4 Alex Chambers, Mar 13, 2020
  5. Rob Taylor

    Rob Taylor Master
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    LOL. Train puns, truly we've reached the pinnacle of nerdy message board.

    I guess as long you make sure the wipers only contact one section of track at a time, or you'll get lemming trains! :D
     
    #5 Rob Taylor, Mar 13, 2020
    Mark Carew and Alex Chambers like this.
  6. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    the thing to do is a built a small prototype right now.
    say 5 tracks, 500mm long. get the mechanics working, then get the software working, and then only, build the big one.
    you can always expand to more tracks on the small one later and use if for loco storage.
     
    #6 David the swarfer, Mar 16, 2020
    Ivan Burvenich and Peter Van Der Walt like this.
  7. Ivan Burvenich

    Ivan Burvenich New
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    Yes, good idea. I was thinking about that yesterday evening. My biggest concern is how the motor will perform on a vertical load. Today, I managed to reduce the total weight of the lift cage by 20 kg and perhaps it is possible to make it even lighter. For that I need to build one trackpart and see how sturdy it performs.
    It is hard to design this with no experience at all, so, yes building a small similar design is a good way to go.
    Software … also a concern because in the end I want to automate this thing completely and integrate it in a model train automation program. This means that this machine must be able to respond to DCC commands. As far as I know now, this can be done via Arduino One with a DCC interface on one hand and the motor drivers on the other hand. A Arduino sketch must do the magic! I'm completely newbie for that part too. This is very challenging, but I love it!
    Thank you for your advise and your support!
     
    #7 Ivan Burvenich, Mar 16, 2020

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