MOC: Fully automated Traverser

[Lok24]

Hi all,

today I want to present a traverser for the 12V trains and tracks.

Of course it can be adapted for all other track systems easily, as there is a gap of two studs between all tracks.

All parts are original , no other parts than LEGO used.

The key features:

- completely driven by only one 12V- transformer

- stops automatically at the siding after command “Stop“

- automatic power supply only for this track, while all others disconnected

- control panel with optical monitoring

The complete model is designed in the “vintage”-way of the early eighties, so main colors are gray, read, yellow, blue and black. Tiles are used only when they are essential for the function.

Parts from today are Slopes 1x1x2/3 54200, Clutch 60c01, Gear 16 Tooth with Clutch6542, Pin Connectors 62462 and some liftarms.

The traverser is placed on some baseplates with road.

It is driven by two gear racks.

Beyond the left the is a row of tiles with grooves which mark the stop positions.Beyond the right the cables for the tracks on the traverser and the signals are hidden.

The precision is about +/- 1/8 stud, or 1mm, which is sufficient.

There are two controls to operate:

- drive left / right

- 1. gear: move slow, stop at next track / 2. gear: move quickly, don’t stop

As I got no „normal” 12-V motors I used two train motors which I connected to the gear assembly.

It looks a little bit tricky, but it works fine.

The red motor powers a cranck, which lifts the brick that blocks the traverser.

The black one drives the traverser.

Both have some clutches to prevent damage to any parts. So there is no need to stop the control precisely or watch the traverser very closely.

The yellow liftarm couples the gear and the brick which blocks the traverser.

Here you see how the gap between the tracks is spanned.

Here is the solution for connecting the actual track with the power.

It is quite simple, the weight of the liftarm is sufficient to guarantee contact.

And this is the control panel:

Hope you enjoyed this little project, which could be modified with all newer tracks or PF, for example.

Find a video here:

length is about two minutes, moving the traverser starts at 0:30

cu

Lok24

PS: I hope I used the corrcect technical terms for all parts, please correct me if not.

[UrbanErwin]

His is really cool. I can't really understand al those mechanics but that is me.

[Laui]

That is Genius! I'm deeply imprest!

[Hrw-Amen]

Me to, lost on all the gears, I think it would make sense if I saw it first hand and could get different angles on it.

Nonetheless it obviously works and is an impressive bit of kit and for diesels does away with the need for a turntable. Is it going to be situated on an actual layout anywhere or is it a one off build to see if it was possible? I hope it stays intact as it is so good it would be a shame to see you have to destroy it unless that is to improve it in some way.

Would love LEGO to make something like this themselves so we could all buy one!!

[Locomotive Annie]

Wow! that is such an inspired piece of brick engineering. Wonderful to see a video of it all working too, - thank you very much for sharing this.

[zephyr1934]

Very nice build with lots of ingenious little tricks. In the US we'd call that a transfer table. The quantity of 12v parts you have is also impressive, my favorite touch is the indicator lights on the table itself, but I also like the fact that you included a pair of regular lamp posts too. Looks like it could have come from 7777.

[jmchisel]

The ingenuity, design and photography could have been straight from the pages of the bible also known as 7777. Very inspiring!

[patje]

very nice never seen in 12 volt

I have made ​​one on 9 volt in 2006

but exists no longer ....

see movie:

http://users.telenet...ibel bridge.WMV

Edited April 3, 2013 by patje

[Lok24]

Hi all,

thanks for the feedback.

I have no layout, it was just a test if it is possible to build such a traverser with automatic function.

There arent that many gears, many of them are used to reduce the speed of the 12-V-Motors.

Here is a picture with two PF-Motors and without the gear-box:

All (!) gears are visible.

On the left the gear 8 tooth, directly connected with the PF-Motor, and the clutch that drives the shift gearbox.

The lower 16-tooth gear ist "Speed", the upper in the picture is "Slow".

The axle beneath the M-motor has no gears, it holds the lever (black technic brick, studs down)

On the right a 8-tooth gear with Clutch for the lever. Thats all.

See how the gear racks are bulid, the yellow tile is where the lever, when realesed, falls down and stops the wohle thing.

Another two pictures to see some details:

cu

Lok24

Edited April 3, 2013 by Lok24

[Werlu Ulcur]

Wow, awesome !

In my future railroad I was hoping I could make something like that.

[Lok24]

Luciano,

if you plan with PF you just need one IR-Control+receiver (or two 9V-switches), one XL-motor to drive and one M-Motor to switch the gear, all other electric is obsolete.

So this is very simple then, according to the picture I postet where you see all gears.

Good luck!

cu

Lok24

Edited April 3, 2013 by Lok24

[Werlu Ulcur]

Really?!? Regular PF hardware can do that? Fantastic!

[LEGO Train 12 Volts]

WOW WOW WOW!!!

Lovely work ...I like all this engineering!

Thanks for sharing this stunning video and these beautiful pictures! :wub:

[pikappa79]

Impressive!

[bumax78]

Wow! I really like your creation!

I am a heavy fun of 12 lego trains and i do love the way you used that unique technology.

I miss 12v signals... (even if i own some of them )

[bricks n bolts]

Wow, really nice Really builds on the traditional 12v experience :thumbup:

[Pierre_Cochereau]

I'm sorry to revive an old topic, but I've just seen this while browsing through the Train Tech forum ... I'm planning to get all my trains and rolling stock out of their current storage place ... which are plastic boxes sold by a Swedish furniture company ... and plan on slowly developing a decent layout (we're talking about 20+ various models, not counting the multiples ), so a MOC like this definitely comes in handy.

I would tend towards building the PF version, so the wiring is not an issue at all. However, what I was wondering is this: I understand that the mechanical action catches the lever in the yellow tile section, so the platform would then stop moving. But would the motor be stalled, or does it go into "neutral," so to speak, due to the clutches?

I'm sorry if this is a dumb question which is obvious to you all but I'm not really that familiar with all the "newer" Technic parts that weren't around in the late 80s and early 90s ...

[baron]

Excellent MOC, makes me nostalgic for my older train days!

[AlmightyArjen]

very cool and "genial" design, I love the mechanics!

[Lok24]

Hi Pierre,

thanks for your interest.

You are right, due to the clutch the motors are never stalled.

Have a look at my point drive which uses the same technique:

Please note that the point is not modified at all

cu Werner

Edited July 11, 2013 by Lok24

[Pierre_Cochereau]

Thanks so much for clarifying this. As I've said, this is an excellent MOC ... ever thought of submitting it to Cuusoo? Also, thanks for sharing your points motor design (which is another issue on which I started another topic). As mentioned before, I'm not that familiar with the "newer" Technic pieces released after, say, 1992 (and have only recently built some new Technic models), so I tried to track down the various parts ... I think the white clutch gear is the one that comes with the 8293 PF Tuning Set.

Keep up the good work!

[Lok24]

Yes, the Number is 4540381 , you can buy it for less than 1€