This weekend, I went to a train show and one of the N scale layouts had the city on the layout in which cars moved in and around the city. My Dad and I asked him how he did it, and said basicly that there were magnets on the vehicles and mounted on a chain under the layout. Anyone know more on something like this? I am looking into it, but don't know much about it. [ 21 March 2002, 20:43: Message edited by: sd40 ]
Although I have not seen this done on an N-scale layout (Which is a real cool idea) I do have several Christmas displays that utilize the same principle. Basically, a motor turns a belt or chain beneath the surface. The belt has magnets on it and, in the case of my christmas displays, the skating figures also have magnets on the bottom, causing them to "follow" the magnets below the surface. Gives them the appearance of gliding on ice. My only question, if doing it in N scale, would be what kind of road surface would you use that also would be thin enough to allow the magnets to attract each other and would it look good? <img src=http://www.trainboard.com/sigbreak.gif> Russ
Some of the rare earth magnets would probably be a good place to start. I bet you could find one strong enough to enact its pull through a hollow core door. Doing so, my main concern would probably be in any electromagnetic interference. -- Joseph
We used common Alinco magnets under a glass mirror for the ice skaters for store window displays. You can also use grey teflon on a .060" thick styrene sheet. You MUST polish any seams to prevent an item from hanging up on a crack. We experimented with mounting soft steel or "black iron" under HO scale cars and trucks. This worked, but the magnetic attraction was not as great. We finally got a semi to follow a curve, by mounting the attracting magnet in the hood of the truck only. It wouldn't work well with just iron. Using a magnet under the road and one in the car or truck will allow you to pull up an 8% grade for mountain runs, although hair-pin turns can be a problem if too tight. Remember that too much attraction will cause both magnets to drag along the roadbed, so watch out for obstructions under the roadbed! canvas, rubber, and commercial flat belts work well, as does bead chain. The chain can turn corners and curves easily. It is one method of having cars cross the railroad tracks. Experiment, you will learn a lot with just a test board. Try different grades, and corners, and different amounts of weight, with iron or magnets in the cars. Stay within the speed limits, it makes a difference! [ 22 March 2002, 05:10: Message edited by: watash ]
