This was so much more informative than the official Magnorail you tube videos which simply say the instructions are clear and simple , which they aren’t. In particular your tips on getting the tension right on the chain, using cork and copydex were really handy. I am now rebuilding my downhill skier setup following your guidance which will hopefully mean it will function more reliably and effectively. Thank you
Hi! Conveyor expert here. Just a suggestion for the manufacturers, and maybe an idea for you: One of the end pulleys should be designed as a "takeup" to reduce the amount of "slop" as you call it. The end pulleys should have a screw that allow you to make minute adjustments to the overall takeup or tension of the chain. Generally speaking, a chain should never be in tension at rest, but too much slop will cause major problems, so a takeup is usually necessary.
Magnorail should give you money for doing this absolutely superb. Honestly I have always wanted to have a train set since a small child but unfortunately my parents could not afford one for me, but watching your videos has inspired me to getting one and now me and my son are starting a layout (nothing to the level you are making lol) however my wife says thanks as I'm spending a small fortune on it lol, I hope you see this comment to know what a inspiration you are, keep up the good work cheers.
I'm currently installing a 5m (each way) long stretch of Magnorail. I've built a trial length about 1m long so far, routing the track into the board (to reudce sound) and using modified plastic trunking for the straight sections (thank you Ronald Dodd for that idea in your Hornby Dublo UA-cam video). It works brilliantly using a road surface I haven't seen anyone else mention. I'm using self-adhesive satin black vinyl. It is too thin if you unpeeel the backing and try to stick it directly to the board. However, leave the backing on and it works a treat. I also think that it won't show the slider marks very easily as it is the same colour all the way through. As you can buy it in long lengths, there will be very few joins to show, which is a bonus. As all of my locos have sound, I don't think that the Magnorail run at fairly slow speed will be intrusive.
THANK YOU for showing me this, as well as explaining the other system. The explanation on the 2 systems, got me to thinking about my planned layout. You solved the problem for me. Thank you, your Wisdom about both systems, I can use Both systems on my layout. This system for the Auto Traffic in one lane, and the other system for Trucks and Busses in the other lane. That way the Busses have a route for them to move into a bus stop, as the Trucks continue on by in the Truck and Bus Lane, without affecting the Auto in the Auto Lane. I figured this out in my mind as you were explaining both systems, positive and negative for your layout. A VERY REALISTIC EXAMPLE you have Created for your layout SIR, mine might not be as PROFESSIONAL as Yours IS. FANTASTIC RESULTS. Thank You for Showing me the Realistic results.
The plastic is HDPE a self lubricating polyethylene. It's commonly used in cutting board for commercial use. There is also a video of a guy using sprockets and a bike chain. The Magnorail system is fantastic, but it's nice to have less expensive options. Option: to use a thumb tack or small screw to lay the paper road down. You may want to get to that Magnorail one of these days. Great video and very nice layout.
After all these decades of model railways, I'm shocked its only in the last couple of years someone has come up with this idea. Such a simple product but makes a layout look soooo good. Great video as always Richard.
Uh, dude... this has been being done for decades. Try looking at the Miniature Wunderland in Germany. They have a fully operational airport, including even smaller vehicles than these (baggage carts)
@@ralgith Never seen that before, but it does use a completely different system to what's shown here, e.g. chain system and not individually powered vehicles. Regardless, one cannot compare a system designed for a personal model railway layout with something of that size built as tourist attraction.
@@MxWintersAFOL True enough, but my point was more that there are many such systems that have been built over the years. Some better than others. I love the Faller car system mentioned in the video, but I have the same issue as the video maker does. I also have the issue that they go too fast for scale speeds. Of course, the speed issue is solvable: use lower voltage batteries. Anyway, other systems exist. Both of motorized cars, and of cars being moved around in other ways. Even back in the 60s people were experimenting with this, by basically setting them up as slot cars. Of course, that had the bad effect of having slots down the middle of your roads!
There's a huge need to build more animated buildings and features like DCC. A gantry crane that actually operates and loads ship container cars for instance.
Glad you described the sound in person. On the video it sounds as loud as one of the machines in the factory I work at. I think I might try this with a with a highway overpass going over the railroad. (Google tells me you call them motorways over there). Have an inner track and an outer track to simulate the faster and slower moving traffic.
I stumbled upon these videos a week ago. It's absoilutely fascinating. Thought I would start at the very beginning and wind my way through until I'm completely up to date. The detailed explanation of how to make it all work is brilliant. Some fantastic tips.
It seems incredibly intricate and complicated for something which, in principle, is rather simple. Wouldn't a chain, or else, a nylon cord, under tension, running through a plastic tube, work just as well?
WOW! I have seen the Magnorail bicycle in operation, but not the cars. Very impressive. Reminds me of a Matchbox "motorway" set I had as a child with a long coil and plastic prongs you stuck on the bottom of your Matchbox cars to engage the spring, but this is light years ahead of that. And it was ever so loooong ago! ;-)
I recommended Hot-Wheels Cars but Matchbox would also be an excellent alternative to the bent-wheel junk he's dragging around in circles. What he is using would look better if he put a magnet on the roof and dragged them around upside down. At least the wheels would stop wobbling.
If I ever build my own model railway, I always wanted a moving highway paralleling part of the railway. For years I thought of just using the old Tyco US1 slot car highway, but thanks to this video I might have the first American layout to use this system that reminds me of a ski lift.
14:27 I think the bunching up of the chain is because the drive motor speed are not synchronized. It would take a lot of work to fine-tune each motor so they run at precisely the same speed. And of course, the more motors you use, the more difficult this would be. Tightening the chain would lessen but not eliminate the problem. Also, if the chain is too tight, it would cause the track and/or chain to wear faster. I've been tinkering with a similar idea using a toothed rubber belt on its side. A pulley is at each turn point with no track in between. Runs dead quiet. Early tests look good but still much work to do. A very interesting video. Thank you for sharing.
I was thinking the same. A 2mm thick road surface can't be very durable either and with the added friction must surely be dangerous? With that said, it will certainly add a much higher level of realism to the layout.
They won't. That is a horrible set-up. With the use of modern Neodymium magnets the only thing touching the road surface would be the wheels. Even with the weak magnets back in the seventies, the slot cars that had Magna-Traction would scream around turns and never fly off the road. With modern magnets you could literally turn the whole thing upside down and the cars wouldn't fall off. You would have to be careful not to get the magnets too close.
I agree. The mag concept is fine, but the plastic chain seems crude and noisy. Also, the installation needs work beyond even laying track. // New subj: Anyone tried contact cement for installing track & scenery? It works fine, if you never intend to move the item involved. // New subj. Re road surface, it's not, I think, subject to slider movement. But it is really only fragile paper in this case. We, the committee on excellence, will naturally need a report in three years time.
I installed Magnorail on my small N scale urban layout. I used 5mm cylindrical magnets and trapped them in small boxes with windows slit in the bottom inside each auto so that the magnets actually roll. I made sure the North poles are always on the same side and made sure all the chain magnets match N to S. No sliders. I even laid some train tracks across the Magnorail, removing the ties and smoothing out the roadbed and it works! Just have to deal with cross traffic next. I used Photoshop to design the streets with crosswalks, manhole covers, bricks & patches and lane stripes, then printed out the roadway on cardstock paper.
OK, here's a short clip showing some cars and trucks. And there's a link in the description to a web page with some close up photos of the installation process. ua-cam.com/video/8k1yy9vvxIM/v-deo.html
Working lights is good. Still better than a motor and digital system inside every damn one. Cars should be incidental scenery on a model railroad, not a focal point getting too detailed in the operation, but it also helps to not have everything except the trains in suspended animation.
It is a model train layout in the first instance, I agree. Moving cars is a relatively new innovation. It is however a challenge to get them looking realistic, which I believe Richard is trying to address. I have seen some moving vehicles at exhibitions that seems to be breaking the scale sound barrier! A family hatch back ' Concorde' lol. I have not added moving cars to my Dean Park Station layout as I would have to have moving pedestrians to make it look complete...and I fear moving people would just be a step (no pun intended) too far. Where do we go after that? moving clouds, wind, lol.
@@EverardJunction Nice! The last layout was good, the new one will be awesome. Years ago I bought a brand new Capri II. Worst car ever. I finally junked it when the front suspension collapsed. - Dave
This reminds me of the Matchbox Motorway way I used to have in the 70s it was a great system, it was a slotcar type idea but instead of having motorised cars it had a very long spring which was fed through the track when assembled then a 12v motor housed in a small building would click in and drive the spring around the track. You could then put pins to the base of the cars attached with adhesive pads. The downside was the noise, very loud and all the cars went at exactly the same speed. But I loved it. Magnorail looks like a very similar idea.
What a wonderful system. Thanks for demonstrating some of the difficulties involved. Will it take heavier vehicles such as lorries and buses. The only issue I can see is if it ever comes to a level crossing. It certainly adds interest to any layout. I always find it mildly irritating that when pictures are taken of a layout, that whereas the trains are moving and changing, the vehicles are static and the same in each sequence. This way it would be different. I will look forward to the final after painting. It looks as though the road will be a bit tight next to the corner shop because a pavement will need to be there.
BRILLIANT! WONDERFUL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TOO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY LAYOUT WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ON IT. PROBABLY BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT IT. GREAT STUFF. LIKED AND SUBSCRIBED.
Fascinating, thank you for showing us. Now, the next thing might be to figure out how to put lights in, or on, the vehicles. As batteries are no option, someone should figure out how to transfer magnetic energy to light energy.
You can't even find this Magnorail system in the US. You are lucky to even be able to buy it, for any price. I have been trying to get a couple of these systems for about 2 years. It is now Sept of 2020. Still no luck. Russ from Oregon USA. Great video
Well done, you've made that seem wonderfully simple that even I can handle. I retired a few years back and need something to keep me busy. I mean there's so many layout designs a man can make before one knocks the heart out of it. Right then ...
Like the previous commentor stated Suberb! Wasn't planning on watching the entire presentation but you've a unique style that intrigued me and the next thing you know, it was over. Throughly enjoyable! Keep up the good work! David 😷 in Chicago 🇺🇸
I’m here after seeing the changes you made this spring. And I kinda miss this long run of Magnorail. Maybe have another run of Magnorail by the station by having cars passing your rebuilt bus stop where you keep your buses. You can do this to use up those remaining pieces of track and chain. Perhaps a little bit more cars running on the current road by the scratch built houses. And having two runs will allow for a little bit more traffic to add to the urban feel. And the pedestrian area in between the two roads makes it a little less contrived.
This is amazing!! Watched nearly all of the videos on your channel! Will certainly be implementing some of your ideas/techniques to mine once it gets started (albeit in N Gauge!) Keep up the good work...
I wonder if the multiple motors are running at slightly different speeds due to the voltage drop on the longer cables which is why the chain appears to be bunched up in someplaces and not others?
A fascinating watch Richard although I'm a little concerned regarding the noise. With Chadwick Model Railway (do check it out) I've moved away from solenoid point motors to tortoise, to cut down on the unrealistic sounds. To invest in sound locos and then having to listen to the "sound of gunfire" as the points are set, removes any realism. Hence my worry as your chain drive wears. Keep the videos coming mate. Regards Charlie
Hi. I think most of the noise is due to the rigid baseboard acting as a sounding board. Maybe the answer is to mount the system on a thick cork bed? It would need some experimentation. But, boy, does it look good! I think I'd accept the noise of the car engines ☺ for the extra realism. Now, what to do about passengerson platforms? BobUK.
Appalling. Not realistic in any way. Frankly I'm offended.... *Why isn't the Transit half an inch behind another car?!!* This is some next level stuff. Somehow the cars seem to even enhanced the look of the trains. The 47 looks incredible stonking its way around that upper deck with the cars plodding along below. I definitely need to get back to the plan and get some of this laid out. Being based on the Highland line I'd only need to have about two or three cars show up every four days! Can you just imagine if this system would catch on? We'd be wanting stop/start traffic, lane changing, six road fiddle yards for our cars! *DCC sound fitted MK.1 Escort's with working yellow rally lights!!* Truly inspiring, Richard. Mike.
@@glenshielrailway5696 Haha, I guess he didn't! I almost made the same mistake. I was just about to give you a reply (don't worry, a friendly one, just asking why?) when I saw your reply ;-)
Thank you Richard for the step by step instructions, a joy to watch, and very informative. Can't wait till, Feb 2019 when Magnorail is back into production through Maktis. I've got several inspired ideas from your video and others for my N scale layout in the U.S..
It looks as though it would be quite easy to reverse engineer the chain links so that they could be 3d printed at non standard sizes to get the length exactly right.
That's going to look pretty good when the scenery is done!! :-) Nice work! I have seen this system before, but not on this scale. (scale as in mass, and not 00)
Love your videos. The jerky car reminded me of going to school on those cold winter mornings with the manual choke that meant the car stalled if you didn't get it spot on. Keep up the good work, thanks for bringing another product to my attention and all the best for 2019.
Looks very nice, however I'd encourage you to experiment with mounting the magnets directly on the vehicles, rather than on the wee brass sled. Reason being, the sleds will mark the road surface - you can see it happening already towards the end of the video - and over time erode or mark any paint you add. If you can mount the magnets to the underside of the car with say, 0.25mm road clearance, you would lose the unsightly brass stick at the front, and eliminate the tarmac scoring. The wheels will still discolour the tarmac paint you use, however it will take much longer as they are rolling. This may also allow you to use more vehicles on the layout, as it would get rid of the friction between the sled and the road surface. You might need to use larger magnets on the vehicles due to the greater magnet spacing and inverse square/cube laws of magnetic attraction, but nothing that wouldn't fit inside one of the diecast cars. Another option might be to tap a countersunk or socket cap ferrous screw into the underside of the car (CSK to permit the greatest amount of metal close to the road surface). You could turn it to accurately adjust the clearance. In theory, the attraction between two magnets is the same as between a single magnet and a piece of steel...at least when in direct contact! Another thought to reduce wear and friction is to 'unlock the diffs' of the cars. I'm presuming a lot of the models are oxford diecast, which have fixed axles. If you are able to modify the axles to allow each set of wheels to rotate independently, it would make the cornering slightly easier and reduce the load on the chain drive. In the past, I converted an oxford diecast 1/76 SWB Land Rover Defender to R/C, and I used 1x3x1mm bearings (you can get 30 for £5) in the front wheels to setup the steering and allow independent rotation. You would only need one bearing per axle, as the bearing could sit on the inside of one of the wheels allowing the other to be fixed to the axle.
Thanks for the advice. I'm still experimenting with the system and have attempted to mount the magnets directly to the vehicles. However this caused the square magnets in the chain to lift the road up and directly contact the underside of the vehicle causing the chain to jam. I'm going to keep working on it and will monitor the road surface. The marks you on the road from the sliders are more a trace of dirt than actual wear on the surface. Time will tell so I'll keep working on it and see if anything can be improved.
Just stumbled on this, very nice, looks really good. One point for anyone lose doing this or if you do another in the future. Please invest in a cheap electric screwdriver for all those screws. Will make it quicker and less painful for your arm . Thanks for the video
Yes I was thinking using silicone spray or graphite to reduce chain friction. Would be nice to see a police car & royal mail van for a bit of colour. Some "00" BASE TOYS models are plastic especially model buses. A great idea & super video!
Yes 3 in 1 silicone spray would be perfect. It takes a day or two for the carrier to evaporate (it actually seems worse until it does) but it will make a huge difference to load on the motor
I think its brilliant what youve done & will definatly make a layout into a "real" miniture world with normal activity. Great what you have done with slight weathering the viehcles (& I thought I saw some drivers too in a car) makes it work so well together & im sure only create a more wider interest. (I myself find the architechture, small detailing of houses, gardens & realastic strret signs & advertising eqauly if not more so interesting than the trains. I so wished one could get reallshop signs say with 70's & 80's with coorect fonts for banks, highstreet shops (HMV, Dixons, Our price records Woolworths & such like really brings one back in time & "massages" Good memories & interest. Thanks for your vid's!! & Merry Christmas!
This the beginning of a great outstanding masterpiece when it's going to start off. Absolutely stunning work and the idea is just mind blowing. All the best looking forward to see the entire stock in running condition. God bless your ideas.
It's basically a bicycle chain on it's side so I think the problem would be the transition from flat to incline. However you could do a scene with a model going up and down an even incline e.g. the Hovis bicycle boy.
Really does create a realistic effect. Be great to see an articulated lorry going round of one towing a drawbar trailer. Must be some lightweight plastic ones that would work.
EverardJunction how much are the sets and how many did you use? I think it's going to be far to much work to incorporate it into my layout but it's seriously got me thinking 💭
The system works very well with smooth movement, just take those vehicles with the wobbly wheels to the garage like you said. I've seen this Dutch system here in Australia and we just loved the bicycle.
What a brilliant early Christmas present to have Everard Junction back! Remarkable work and ingenuity on the cars, the extra layer of animation will look even more fantastic as the scenery takes shape. As a side note, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you end up doing with the station area. There's something about your videos, and the way that they're presented that goes beyond just the layout, which really resonates with model rail enthusiasts. What you've got going here is something special, long may it continue.
Boy, you need a little electric screwdriver. Well, not Dr Who's, although it would be darling to have anyway. This is a terrific project that produces the coolest results. First kid on the block with a new toy.
Greetings from the town across the pond that made your barbell weights. I knew about the Faller system and this seems to be superior. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Nice to see that autonomous vehicles have arrived in the UK ahead of everyone else! This really adds another dimension to the entire layout...just awesome! Well done as always, Richard!
I have never heard of this magnorail system before, but I think it is a wonderful idea and i will certainly think about putting it on my Layout "Yorkdale" . It is not a very big layout so it should work fine. Thanks for this video. Martin (Thailand)
What an awesome system! I didn't know it existed. A more extensive setup, but the ability to operated any vehicle on system, that more than makes up for the installation work.
Totally awesome! Your explanation on the installation was very specific on each step. Can't wait to see the finished scene with buildings, street lights, little people, etc.
Great use of magnorail, only ever seen it in short runs with the man on the bike. I'm sure if they see what you have done they should impressed with what you have achieved. Another great project Richard.
This is absolutely brilliant, so so much better than the faller system, well in my eyes it is! Love the fact you can increase or decrease the speed, also being able to use your own oo gauge cars is a plus as any era can be catered for as my cars are mainly Oxford die cast in and around the 30’s and 40’s love the way you take the time and effort to explain and show all the little details and potential problems!
You have done a fabulous job ! Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Your explanations very well sorted. And the demonstration of the fruits of your efforts is fun and exciting. For myself it was terrific to see diecast vehicles running in a manner that was never expected of them. Now you have made them come alive. Hope there's a driver in every one. Growing up though, Iearnt that saying "timber !" meant watch out a tree is falling ! Good show !
Roadway & moving cars are brilliant, never heard of that road system before, been subscribed to the old layout & been watching the new layout evolve, looking forward to the next instalment, excellent work.
Very realistic wheel wobble on the British Leyland cars. Authentic build quality.
This was so much more informative than the official Magnorail you tube videos which simply say the instructions are clear and simple , which they aren’t. In particular your tips on getting the tension right on the chain, using cork and copydex were really handy. I am now rebuilding my downhill skier setup following your guidance which will hopefully mean it will function more reliably and effectively. Thank you
What can you expect, they're Dutch!
Hi! Conveyor expert here. Just a suggestion for the manufacturers, and maybe an idea for you: One of the end pulleys should be designed as a "takeup" to reduce the amount of "slop" as you call it. The end pulleys should have a screw that allow you to make minute adjustments to the overall takeup or tension of the chain. Generally speaking, a chain should never be in tension at rest, but too much slop will cause major problems, so a takeup is usually necessary.
I'm blown away by this, this may be a bold claim but I think this may be one of the best model railways in the UK by the time it's done!
I agree!
Subjective, some of the best layouts ive seen are only 5ftx 2ft6" in n gauge
A bold claim neons….but its not a wild over exaggeration! Check out my layout, Dean Park...its inspired by Richards previous layout ;-)
T was!
but just the UK....
again the Germans ahead for miles, 10 years ahead...at the moment he made the video!
now it is around 20 years ahead!
Magnorail should give you money for doing this absolutely superb. Honestly I have always wanted to have a train set since a small child but unfortunately my parents could not afford one for me, but watching your videos has inspired me to getting one and now me and my son are starting a layout (nothing to the level you are making lol) however my wife says thanks as I'm spending a small fortune on it lol, I hope you see this comment to know what a inspiration you are, keep up the good work cheers.
I'm currently installing a 5m (each way) long stretch of Magnorail. I've built a trial length about 1m long so far, routing the track into the board (to reudce sound) and using modified plastic trunking for the straight sections (thank you Ronald Dodd for that idea in your Hornby Dublo UA-cam video). It works brilliantly using a road surface I haven't seen anyone else mention. I'm using self-adhesive satin black vinyl. It is too thin if you unpeeel the backing and try to stick it directly to the board. However, leave the backing on and it works a treat. I also think that it won't show the slider marks very easily as it is the same colour all the way through. As you can buy it in long lengths, there will be very few joins to show, which is a bonus. As all of my locos have sound, I don't think that the Magnorail run at fairly slow speed will be intrusive.
Don't forget to put any Audis half an inch behind the next vehicle
Nice effect.
😆
OK, I'll bite.....why put Audis...? But recognize that you're under oath.
People who drive audis are bell ends
@@myplaystore1242 BMW more so I’d say
With an arm out the window. one finger of the hand raised.
THANK YOU for showing me this, as well as explaining the other system. The explanation on the 2 systems, got me to thinking about my planned layout. You solved the problem for me. Thank you, your Wisdom about both systems, I can use Both systems on my layout. This system for the Auto Traffic in one lane, and the other system for Trucks and Busses in the other lane. That way the Busses have a route for them to move into a bus stop, as the Trucks continue on by in the Truck and Bus Lane, without affecting the Auto in the Auto Lane. I figured this out in my mind as you were explaining both systems, positive and negative for your layout. A VERY REALISTIC EXAMPLE you have Created for your layout SIR, mine might not be as PROFESSIONAL as Yours IS. FANTASTIC RESULTS. Thank You for Showing me the Realistic results.
How did you get me to watch 46 minutes of a road and cars without turning off. You are just very good at explanation and creation.
Barry.Devon.
The plastic is HDPE a self lubricating polyethylene. It's commonly used in cutting board for commercial use. There is also a video of a guy using sprockets and a bike chain. The Magnorail system is fantastic, but it's nice to have less expensive options. Option: to use a thumb tack or small screw to lay the paper road down. You may want to get to that Magnorail one of these days. Great video and very nice layout.
After all these decades of model railways, I'm shocked its only in the last couple of years someone has come up with this idea. Such a simple product but makes a layout look soooo good. Great video as always Richard.
Uh, dude... this has been being done for decades. Try looking at the Miniature Wunderland in Germany. They have a fully operational airport, including even smaller vehicles than these (baggage carts)
@@ralgith Never seen that before, but it does use a completely different system to what's shown here, e.g. chain system and not individually powered vehicles. Regardless, one cannot compare a system designed for a personal model railway layout with something of that size built as tourist attraction.
@@MxWintersAFOL True enough, but my point was more that there are many such systems that have been built over the years. Some better than others. I love the Faller car system mentioned in the video, but I have the same issue as the video maker does. I also have the issue that they go too fast for scale speeds. Of course, the speed issue is solvable: use lower voltage batteries. Anyway, other systems exist. Both of motorized cars, and of cars being moved around in other ways. Even back in the 60s people were experimenting with this, by basically setting them up as slot cars. Of course, that had the bad effect of having slots down the middle of your roads!
There's a huge need to build more animated buildings and features like DCC. A gantry crane that actually operates and loads ship container cars for instance.
@@mikeries8549 I'm actually mid process of starting a business to do exactly that.
Glad you described the sound in person. On the video it sounds as loud as one of the machines in the factory I work at. I think I might try this with a with a highway overpass going over the railroad. (Google tells me you call them motorways over there). Have an inner track and an outer track to simulate the faster and slower moving traffic.
I stumbled upon these videos a week ago. It's absoilutely fascinating. Thought I would start at the very beginning and wind my way through until I'm completely up to date. The detailed explanation of how to make it all work is brilliant. Some fantastic tips.
It seems incredibly intricate and complicated for something which, in principle, is rather simple. Wouldn't a chain, or else, a nylon cord, under tension, running through a plastic tube, work just as well?
WOW! I have seen the Magnorail bicycle in operation, but not the cars. Very impressive. Reminds me of a Matchbox "motorway" set I had as a child with a long coil and plastic prongs you stuck on the bottom of your Matchbox cars to engage the spring, but this is light years ahead of that. And it was ever so loooong ago! ;-)
Do you plan to reinstate your tyre fitters shop from the previous layout to sort out the wheel alignment(s) ? ;-)
Yes I was wondering if anyone else would remember the matchbox motorway 😎
@@nathancox6249 Ha ha! I take it you're as old as me! ;-)
I recommended Hot-Wheels Cars but Matchbox would also be an excellent alternative to the bent-wheel junk he's dragging around in circles. What he is using would look better if he put a magnet on the roof and dragged them around upside down. At least the wheels would stop wobbling.
@@Kevinegan1 You do appreciate this is a SCALE model
first off, THANK YOU for taking the time to not just make this video, but for builing this cool model. Your explanation was superb!!!
Seeing those Cars moving on the Road reminds me of Miniature Wonderland in Germany! A very Awesome technique!
James ;)
I think they use the faller sytem there
If I ever build my own model railway, I always wanted a moving highway paralleling part of the railway. For years I thought of just using the old Tyco US1 slot car highway, but thanks to this video I might have the first American layout to use this system that reminds me of a ski lift.
Well done Richard. As usual you are breaking new ground and giving us new ideas for what we might do.
Looks great with cars going around. I think every railroad looks 10 times better with the cars running . Good stuff !
Superb, one of the best “How to “ videos I’ve ever seen . Thank you for sharing this with us.
5
14:27 I think the bunching up of the chain is because the drive motor speed are not synchronized. It would take a lot of work to fine-tune each motor so they run at precisely the same speed. And of course, the more motors you use, the more difficult this would be. Tightening the chain would lessen but not eliminate the problem. Also, if the chain is too tight, it would cause the track and/or chain to wear faster.
I've been tinkering with a similar idea using a toothed rubber belt on its side. A pulley is at each turn point with no track in between. Runs dead quiet. Early tests look good but still much work to do.
A very interesting video. Thank you for sharing.
Cutting edge - self driving cars!! Great work -love it!!
Excellent!! I always wanted the realism, without the slots for the cars. This is near perfect☺️👍!!!
For more realism, I would at least have placed a driver in these cars. 🚗🚙
Will be interesting to see how the scenery and road surface olds up to the friction of the sliders.
I was thinking the same. A 2mm thick road surface can't be very durable either and with the added friction must surely be dangerous? With that said, it will certainly add a much higher level of realism to the layout.
They won't. That is a horrible set-up. With the use of modern Neodymium magnets the only thing touching the road surface would be the wheels. Even with the weak magnets back in the seventies, the slot cars that had Magna-Traction would scream around turns and never fly off the road. With modern magnets you could literally turn the whole thing upside down and the cars wouldn't fall off. You would have to be careful not to get the magnets too close.
Do you think buying some stronger magnets to put inside the cars would be something to try?
I agree. The mag concept is fine, but the plastic chain seems crude and noisy. Also, the installation needs work beyond even laying track. // New subj: Anyone tried contact cement for installing track & scenery? It works fine, if you never intend to move the item involved. // New subj. Re road surface, it's not, I think, subject to slider movement. But it is really only fragile paper in this case. We, the committee on excellence, will naturally need a report in three years time.
@@Kevinegan1 All right, I'll bite: Too close to what? Your watch? Teeth? Hairpiece?
Your modeling skills never cease to amaze me. You must be quite strict, as every single driver was obeying the speed limit.
I installed Magnorail on my small N scale urban layout. I used 5mm cylindrical magnets and trapped them in small boxes with windows slit in the bottom inside each auto so that the magnets actually roll. I made sure the North poles are always on the same side and made sure all the chain magnets match N to S. No sliders. I even laid some train tracks across the Magnorail, removing the ties and smoothing out the roadbed and it works! Just have to deal with cross traffic next. I used Photoshop to design the streets with crosswalks, manhole covers, bricks & patches and lane stripes, then printed out the roadway on cardstock paper.
Hey Ron, do you have any photos or videos - the rolling magnets intrigue me - if nothing on line, drop me an email at Magnorailoz@gmail.com
...and you now need to get some video of it & post it. I probably speak for many on that request.
OK, here's a short clip showing some cars and trucks. And there's a link in the description to a web page with some close up photos of the installation process. ua-cam.com/video/8k1yy9vvxIM/v-deo.html
Look at the amount of SPACE between cars on the road! No Road rage either! You Brits sure are polite drivers!
Now that's something new and interesting. Get drivers in those cars and it will just finish the job ;-) Dave
Cheers Dave. The cars are going to need some work. Mostly need to try and sort out the wobbly wheels and squeaky noises.
@@EverardJunction Wouldn't be British Leyland without them! Keep them for, ahem, authentic detail. ;)
What you think if we could ? By putting headlights in the vehicles ,;-)
Working lights is good. Still better than a motor and digital system inside every damn one. Cars should be incidental scenery on a model railroad, not a focal point getting too detailed in the operation, but it also helps to not have everything except the trains in suspended animation.
It is a model train layout in the first instance, I agree. Moving cars is a relatively new innovation. It is however a challenge to get them looking realistic, which I believe Richard is trying to address. I have seen some moving vehicles at exhibitions that seems to be breaking the scale sound barrier! A family hatch back ' Concorde' lol. I have not added moving cars to my Dean Park Station layout as I would have to have moving pedestrians to make it look complete...and I fear moving people would just be a step (no pun intended) too far. Where do we go after that? moving clouds, wind, lol.
Could you glue the magnets onto the base of the vehicle so that there was no contact to reduce the drag and wear on the road of the sliders?
That Leyland Sherpa is wrong. Its missing the rust and blue smoke.
haha!
Sure is, I need to do the Capri also.
@@EverardJunction a chance to make the vehicles look great with some weathering, rust, drivers and some passengers.
British Rail Sherpa’s never moved as quick as that either, trust me I know used to drive one many moons ago.
@@EverardJunction
Nice! The last layout was good, the new one will be awesome.
Years ago I bought a brand new Capri II. Worst car ever. I finally junked it when the front suspension collapsed.
- Dave
This reminds me of the Matchbox Motorway way I used to have in the 70s it was a great system, it was a slotcar type idea but instead of having motorised cars it had a very long spring which was fed through the track when assembled then a 12v motor housed in a small building would click in and drive the spring around the track. You could then put pins to the base of the cars attached with adhesive pads.
The downside was the noise, very loud and all the cars went at exactly the same speed. But I loved it.
Magnorail looks like a very similar idea.
The King returns. Long live the King :) Another amazing video Richard. You continue to be our inspiration and my unofficial chief tutor.
Adds the perfect extra layer of life.
Loved the cortina, even rolls like a real one.
What a wonderful system. Thanks for demonstrating some of the difficulties involved. Will it take heavier vehicles such as lorries and buses. The only issue I can see is if it ever comes to a level crossing. It certainly adds interest to any layout. I always find it mildly irritating that when pictures are taken of a layout, that whereas the trains are moving and changing, the vehicles are static and the same in each sequence. This way it would be different. I will look forward to the final after painting. It looks as though the road will be a bit tight next to the corner shop because a pavement will need to be there.
BRILLIANT! WONDERFUL INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TOO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY EVERY LAYOUT WOULD NOT HAVE THIS ON IT. PROBABLY BECAUSE NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT IT. GREAT STUFF. LIKED AND SUBSCRIBED.
Fascinating, thank you for showing us.
Now, the next thing might be to figure out how to put lights in, or on, the vehicles.
As batteries are no option, someone should figure out how to transfer magnetic energy to light energy.
You can't even find this Magnorail system in the US. You are lucky to even be able to buy it, for any price. I have been trying to get a couple of these systems for about 2 years. It is now Sept of 2020. Still no luck. Russ from Oregon USA. Great video
Never seen a system like this, that looks so cool! 😀 Great solution with the cork. Watching your entire build series now. :)
It wouldn't be a scale model of a uk scene without the inevitable potholes that'll appear due to gaps in the cork supports. Good job, truly authentic
Well done, you've made that seem wonderfully simple that even I can handle. I retired a few years back and need something to keep me busy. I mean there's so many layout designs a man can make before one knocks the heart out of it. Right then ...
Like the previous commentor stated Suberb! Wasn't planning on watching the entire presentation but you've a unique style that intrigued me and the next thing you know, it was over. Throughly enjoyable! Keep up the good work! David 😷 in Chicago 🇺🇸
WOW! thats good and the presentation was excellent , the firm that makes this system should use your video as a how to
I’m here after seeing the changes you made this spring. And I kinda miss this long run of Magnorail. Maybe have another run of Magnorail by the station by having cars passing your rebuilt bus stop where you keep your buses. You can do this to use up those remaining pieces of track and chain. Perhaps a little bit more cars running on the current road by the scratch built houses. And having two runs will allow for a little bit more traffic to add to the urban feel. And the pedestrian area in between the two roads makes it a little less contrived.
This is amazing!! Watched nearly all of the videos on your channel! Will certainly be implementing some of your ideas/techniques to mine once it gets started (albeit in N Gauge!)
Keep up the good work...
I wonder if the multiple motors are running at slightly different speeds due to the voltage drop on the longer cables which is why the chain appears to be bunched up in someplaces and not others?
A fascinating watch Richard although I'm a little concerned regarding the noise. With Chadwick Model Railway (do check it out) I've moved away from solenoid point motors to tortoise, to cut down on the unrealistic sounds.
To invest in sound locos and then having to listen to the "sound of gunfire" as the points are set, removes any realism. Hence my worry as your chain drive wears.
Keep the videos coming mate. Regards Charlie
I bet I could find ways to kill chain and motor sound pretty well with some foam sheets.
Hi. I think most of the noise is due to the rigid baseboard acting as a sounding board. Maybe the answer is to mount the system on a thick cork bed? It would need some experimentation. But, boy, does it look good! I think I'd accept the noise of the car engines ☺ for the extra realism. Now, what to do about passengerson platforms? BobUK.
the Mk1 Fiesta !! that takes me back, in the 80s i drove a 1975 1.1L Fiesta, also in yellow. That colour was fairly rare even back then
Appalling. Not realistic in any way. Frankly I'm offended....
*Why isn't the Transit half an inch behind another car?!!*
This is some next level stuff. Somehow the cars seem to even enhanced the look of the trains. The 47 looks incredible stonking its way around that upper deck with the cars plodding along below. I definitely need to get back to the plan and get some of this laid out. Being based on the Highland line I'd only need to have about two or three cars show up every four days!
Can you just imagine if this system would catch on? We'd be wanting stop/start traffic, lane changing, six road fiddle yards for our cars! *DCC sound fitted MK.1 Escort's with working yellow rally lights!!*
Truly inspiring, Richard.
Mike.
I bet you couldnt do better
@@coastliner7009 Did you click "Read more" ?
@@glenshielrailway5696 Haha, I guess he didn't! I almost made the same mistake. I was just about to give you a reply (don't worry, a friendly one, just asking why?) when I saw your reply ;-)
wrong spelling - 'effendi' - ?
@@peterroberts3748 The what now?
The best 46 minutes I've spent all week. Well done.
Wonderful! I finally found a use to all my 500 HotWheels cars. Thank you!
Thank you Richard for the step by step instructions, a joy to watch, and very informative. Can't wait till, Feb 2019 when Magnorail
is back into production through Maktis. I've got several inspired ideas from your video and others for my N scale layout in the U.S..
Nice work Richard, looks great and I have a feeling this will soon become very popular. Merry Christmas.
Your little world, as awesome as it is, needs a little tire shop. You have a very creative mind. Cheers!
It looks as though it would be quite easy to reverse engineer the chain links so that they could be 3d printed at non standard sizes to get the length exactly right.
Astonishing addition to a remarkably detailed model railway.
The drivers of those cars is really model citizens.....
ha ha
No, no. You missed it. The drivers of those cars are shrunken DUI convictees.
I am Dutch, have a model railway and didn’t even know. So thanx. Many thanks. Also for showing how to build it 💫
That's going to look pretty good when the scenery is done!! :-) Nice work!
I have seen this system before, but not on this scale. (scale as in mass, and not 00)
Love your videos. The jerky car reminded me of going to school on those cold winter mornings with the manual choke that meant the car stalled if you didn't get it spot on. Keep up the good work, thanks for bringing another product to my attention and all the best for 2019.
Looks very nice, however I'd encourage you to experiment with mounting the magnets directly on the vehicles, rather than on the wee brass sled. Reason being, the sleds will mark the road surface - you can see it happening already towards the end of the video - and over time erode or mark any paint you add.
If you can mount the magnets to the underside of the car with say, 0.25mm road clearance, you would lose the unsightly brass stick at the front, and eliminate the tarmac scoring. The wheels will still discolour the tarmac paint you use, however it will take much longer as they are rolling.
This may also allow you to use more vehicles on the layout, as it would get rid of the friction between the sled and the road surface. You might need to use larger magnets on the vehicles due to the greater magnet spacing and inverse square/cube laws of magnetic attraction, but nothing that wouldn't fit inside one of the diecast cars. Another option might be to tap a countersunk or socket cap ferrous screw into the underside of the car (CSK to permit the greatest amount of metal close to the road surface). You could turn it to accurately adjust the clearance. In theory, the attraction between two magnets is the same as between a single magnet and a piece of steel...at least when in direct contact!
Another thought to reduce wear and friction is to 'unlock the diffs' of the cars. I'm presuming a lot of the models are oxford diecast, which have fixed axles. If you are able to modify the axles to allow each set of wheels to rotate independently, it would make the cornering slightly easier and reduce the load on the chain drive. In the past, I converted an oxford diecast 1/76 SWB Land Rover Defender to R/C, and I used 1x3x1mm bearings (you can get 30 for £5) in the front wheels to setup the steering and allow independent rotation. You would only need one bearing per axle, as the bearing could sit on the inside of one of the wheels allowing the other to be fixed to the axle.
Thanks for the advice. I'm still experimenting with the system and have attempted to mount the magnets directly to the vehicles. However this caused the square magnets in the chain to lift the road up and directly contact the underside of the vehicle causing the chain to jam. I'm going to keep working on it and will monitor the road surface. The marks you on the road from the sliders are more a trace of dirt than actual wear on the surface. Time will tell so I'll keep working on it and see if anything can be improved.
Just stumbled on this, very nice, looks really good.
One point for anyone lose doing this or if you do another in the future. Please invest in a cheap electric screwdriver for all those screws. Will make it quicker and less painful for your arm . Thanks for the video
I liked this a lot. Spray some silicon lubricant on the chain ( If it won't melt it!) to reduce the clatter. Regards Stephen.
perhaps some graphite spray as it won't attract dirt?
Yes I was thinking using silicone spray or graphite to reduce chain friction. Would be nice to see a police car & royal mail van for a bit of colour. Some "00" BASE TOYS models are plastic especially model buses. A great idea & super video!
Actually they advise not to lubricate the chain!
Yes 3 in 1 silicone spray would be perfect. It takes a day or two for the carrier to evaporate (it actually seems worse until it does) but it will make a huge difference to load on the motor
Put some foam around the whole thing. Maybe even make the road out of thin foam, which is something people do already.
Fabulous and a huge thank you. I have been looking for a system for N gauge for a long time. Looking forward to more progress. Take care, Rob
Bit concerned some of the British Leyland vehicles wouldn't pass their MOTs...
Top marks for added realism! :-D
The brown Ford Cortina looks to have a problem with the rear. Body rot probably.
@@johnclarke2997 The Cortina is Onslow's car
They never did... surely they were all past it at the 3 year Mark?
Tell corbyn
So good to hear your enthousiasm in various moments of the video! It's contagious.
I never heard of Magnorail before, and I am Dutch. So they definitively have a marketing-problem.
Caravan 😂😂😂😂😂
T
Best how to I have seen
Really impressed at the size and how much work went into this
Ty ty
Love it....Brilliant.Good bye faller!
I think its brilliant what youve done & will definatly make a layout into a "real" miniture world with normal activity. Great what you have done with slight weathering the viehcles (& I thought I saw some drivers too in a car) makes it work so well together & im sure only create a more wider interest. (I myself find the architechture, small detailing of houses, gardens & realastic strret signs & advertising eqauly if not more so interesting than the trains. I so wished one could get reallshop signs say with 70's & 80's with coorect fonts for banks, highstreet shops (HMV, Dixons, Our price records Woolworths & such like really brings one back in time & "massages" Good memories & interest. Thanks for your vid's!! & Merry Christmas!
You should do a replica of your granada and put it on the layout
Is that it at 1:24? Bottom left corner by the mk3 escort? Complete with unpainted front wing. My eyes are dodgey so it might be a late 'Tina.
Textbook Dave looks like a mk3 cortina...
This the beginning of a great outstanding masterpiece when it's going to start off. Absolutely stunning work and the idea is just mind blowing. All the best looking forward to see the entire stock in running condition. God bless your ideas.
Does the Magnorail have a hill option or any kind of incline, or is it just for flat roads?
I've seen it used in minituar wonderland on a hill so I think so yeah (also sorry if I spelt that wrong)
It's basically a bicycle chain on it's side so I think the problem would be the transition from flat to incline. However you could do a scene with a model going up and down an even incline e.g. the Hovis bicycle boy.
Really does create a realistic effect.
Be great to see an articulated lorry going round of one towing a drawbar trailer. Must be some lightweight plastic ones that would work.
Puts Faller to shame, the cars move at a sensible speed.
Thats one of the main reasons I went for it. Everything on faller seems to be speeding.
I really love my Faller pre car system, AMS wich doubles as a racetrack.
Perfect with my fifties and sixties Märklin. ;))
Romin van der Meiden for a racetrack maybe however lorries taking corners at 60mph isn't realistic!
EverardJunction how much are the sets and how many did you use? I think it's going to be far to much work to incorporate it into my layout but it's seriously got me thinking 💭
The system works very well with smooth movement, just take those vehicles with the wobbly wheels to the garage like you said. I've seen this Dutch system here in Australia
and we just loved the bicycle.
Can't you just win the lottery and do this full time?🤔
That's what Patreon is for 🤔
If winning the lottery were easy, everyone would be doing it.
Certainly, Finn. Just retire. I've been at it for 22-yrs. (Pssst: put aside 100-200k for an annunity, also.)
Would be wonderful to have the resources to indulge one's creativity.
Only in my dreams.............
Toptastic! Love the end result. All down to your usual determination & attention to detail. Well done.
Receive notification. Pour beer. Watch.
Mine's a Doom Bar. Cheers :)
Pint of Abbot Ale please ;)
Is a Morgans and coke out of the question?
Had a brandy with this :)
Got a cold STELLA here 😉
What a brilliant early Christmas present to have Everard Junction back! Remarkable work and ingenuity on the cars, the extra layer of animation will look even more fantastic as the scenery takes shape. As a side note, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you end up doing with the station area.
There's something about your videos, and the way that they're presented that goes beyond just the layout, which really resonates with model rail enthusiasts. What you've got going here is something special, long may it continue.
Very good , very clever , very expensive
Boy, you need a little electric screwdriver. Well, not Dr Who's, although it would be darling to have anyway. This is a terrific project that produces the coolest results. First kid on the block with a new toy.
Looks rather humorous with just the sliders and the cars removed.
Ha ha yeh! The sliders on their own look like robot slugs running around :)
They look like kids scooters lol
A really helpful how-to article. Excellent analytical talk, so easy to follow. Thank you for this.
10 seconds in
“What witchcraft is this!?”
Greetings from the town across the pond that made your barbell weights. I knew about the Faller system and this seems to be superior. Thank you for sharing this with us.
Never clicked so fast
Nice to see that autonomous vehicles have arrived in the UK ahead of everyone else! This really adds another dimension to the entire layout...just awesome! Well done as always, Richard!
But the cars are on the wrong side of the road!!!! Oh the horror.
I have never heard of this magnorail system before, but I think it is a wonderful idea and i will certainly think about putting it on my Layout "Yorkdale" . It is not a very big layout so it should work fine. Thanks for this video. Martin (Thailand)
What an awesome system! I didn't know it existed. A more extensive setup, but the ability to operated any vehicle on system, that more than makes up for the installation work.
Totally awesome! Your explanation on the installation was very specific on each step. Can't wait to see the finished scene with buildings, street lights, little people, etc.
Wow that’s something different, great to see another way of bringing vehicles to life. Great job. Thanks.
I wish when I was a kid I had a track to make the cars look like they are driving by themselves. So cool. Would have made playing "cars" even better.
This is new to me here in the USA. It looks great and will go great with a model railroad layout.
Great use of magnorail, only ever seen it in short runs with the man on the bike. I'm sure if they see what you have done they should impressed with what you have achieved. Another great project Richard.
I'd like this idea of moving cars. It's got me thinking even moreso to investing in it myself. Looks impressive!!!
This is absolutely brilliant, so so much better than the faller system, well in my eyes it is! Love the fact you can increase or decrease the speed, also being able to use your own oo gauge cars is a plus as any era can be catered for as my cars are mainly Oxford die cast in and around the 30’s and 40’s love the way you take the time and effort to explain and show all the little details and potential problems!
You have done a fabulous job ! Thoroughly enjoyed your presentation. Your explanations very well sorted. And the demonstration of the fruits of your efforts is fun and exciting. For myself it was terrific to see diecast vehicles running in a manner that was never expected of them. Now you have made them come alive. Hope there's a driver in every one. Growing up though, Iearnt that saying "timber !" meant watch out a tree is falling ! Good show !
Roadway & moving cars are brilliant, never heard of that road system before, been subscribed to the old layout & been watching the new layout evolve, looking forward to the next instalment, excellent work.