Subject:
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Re: PROPOSAL for new track (was Re: New Lego Track!
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Newsgroups:
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lugnet.trains
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Date:
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Fri, 20 May 2005 12:39:10 GMT
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Viewed:
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2027 times
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In lugnet.trains, Jan-Albert van Ree wrote:
> Bryan Kinkel wrote:
>
> > I understand your frustration with the state of trains. I for one want to
> > see automated points, lights, etc in the style of the 80s 12V system.
>
> Those were deemed too complicated and that's why they're not in the 9V
> system anymore.
Complicated --- hrm. I was a child in the 80's and absolutely loved those. They
certainly weren't too complicated - and remember that they were provided with
the same kind of instructions (excellent, that is) as other Lego sets. If
remote-controlled turnouts, grade crossings and signals are to be discontinued
because they are complicated, then why carry the Technic line at all? It
certainly is way more complicated.
The point is that the "complicated" features are a *learning* tool. One learns
a huge deal about electricity, electronics, and logic while tinkering and
experimenting (yes, even with such a basic system as Lego's). Now, all the 12 V
turnouts and signals were manually controlled and nothing was interlocked, so
signals could not depend on turnout positions, or vice versa; although I don't
know if the turnout motor would have withstood being controlled with constant DC
from the signal controller... hmm... I still have some 12 V gear, I might give
it a try... ;) The interlocking would have made many things possible (like REAL
signalling). THAT might have been too complicated for a 7-year-old; then again,
it might well have kept a 13-year-old nicely busy...
In fact, Lego trains were one of the things that led me to model railroading,
and directed my interest into operations and signalling. I was enormously
disappointed about the new 9 V system's lack of any advanced features whatsoever
- it was "just another toy train". Heck, you can have wireless (infrared) remote
control for trains and turnouts and even automatic train control features with
Brio wooden trains! (that's for 5-year-old kids!!! not when I was 5!!!) Why not
Lego?
Yep, here's an idea for Billund: drop the analog control and go straight to DCC
(control signals mixed with track power; components are readily available) or IR
or radio remote control (full DC power always on track, train is controlled with
an IR or radio remote; IR requires line-of-sight to receiver, is more prone to
runaways, but doesn't depend on national radio regulations; either of these may
be easier to implement and operate than DCC.) Either way, just add a receiver
/controller box in the locomotive and separate the track pickup output from the
motor input in the motor unit. (with IR, add an IR sensor; with radio, add an
antenna.)
Each receiver could be paired with a controller, able to control one or more
motor units (in parallel, for REALLY powerful locomotives). Signals could be
axle counters that would be wired together (entry point wired to exit point)
with simple two-wire (one-cable) connections to create elementary block
signalling.
Additional sensors (Mindstorms sensors?) could be used to create ATO functions
(autostop, autoreverse, timer stop...) if installed on the train, wired into the
receiver box (having a few inputs for this purpose) and activated by trackside
blocks.
All that is required is a) a modified motor block with separate input and output
circuits, and b) a remote receiver/motor controller. The latter could be powered
either from the track or a battery pack (or both, if desired?) and could be
produced in a DCC version if desired (with the ATO functions remaining).
Oh yes, of course: the IR or radio controlled version, when powered with a
battery pack, could control pretty much anything with a motor! Wouldn't this be
a hit? Wireless control for your Technic model! Yay! Cool! In fact, give it 3 or
4 channels and make it a "universal remote controller". Just make sure that a)
it fits either inside or under a locomotive (between the trucks in the latter
case) and b) it has enough power to control two train motors in parallel.
Release the modified train motor at the same time and I'm pretty sure quite a
lot of people will take an interest in one or both.
Sorry if I got somewhat carried away. But seriously, the above ideas are free
for use if somebody (Lego or someone else) feels like producing them. I'd just
like to be able to buy the products in a toy store or online. (I don't know if
Lego reads LUGNET, but they should :)
Why not use the Mindstorms unit? a) it's too expensive (this application doesn't
need *that* kind of flexibility) b) it's too large (redundant battery pack) c)
no remote control (without HiTechnic parts).
My other daydream is to find a huge pile of 12 V train stuff somewhere and be
able to build a big 12 V Lego train layout, with signals and stuff... ;)
--Juhana Siren -- a lifetime Lego fan--
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: PROPOSAL for new track (was Re: New Lego Track!
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| Juhana Siren wrote: [SNIP] (...) It's easy to get by in Europe, I know several folks who are switching to 9V to be able to participate in events. But the signals usually don't change hands, since those can be modded to work on 9V too ;) As for the (...) (20 years ago, 20-May-05, to lugnet.trains)
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