[GBC] Akiyuki Train System: Type 2 mods and improvements

[doug72]

 Meccano version Train System

I also spotted this a few days ago, I like the idea for the passing train cars using a sliding table.

Would be quite a challenge to build a Lego version.

Found this on you Tube.

Hope to build it soon & improve it using cams.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug 72 

Edited March 29, 2023 by doug72

[doug72]

On 3/27/2023 at 2:41 PM, doug72 said:

 Meccano version Train System

I also spotted this a few days ago, I like the idea for the passing train cars using a sliding table.

Would be quite a challenge to build a Lego version.

Found this on you Tube.

Hope to build it soon & improve it using cams.

 

Has anyone got the instructions & built  this passing loop module and how reliable is it ?

 

 

 

 

 

Doug 72 

 

[Jude The Lego Dude]

8 hours ago, doug72 said:

Has anyone got the instructions & built  this passing loop module and how reliable is it ?

Are you talking about the passing slider for the type 1 train? 

If so then here; 

I have a quite extensive collection of the type 1 train system, although the passing unit is not part of it. My sources say it is reliable, but it works in a different way to one that is compatible with the type 2 system so marginal mods will be required. 

 

 

Edited March 30, 2023 by Jude The Lego Dude
added more words

[doug72]

10 hours ago, Jude The Lego Dude said:

Are you talking about the passing slider for the type 1 train? 

If so then here; 

I have a quite extensive collection of the type 1 train system, although the passing unit is not part of it. My sources say it is reliable, but it works in a different way to one that is compatible with the type 2 system so marginal mods will be required. 

 

Yes its type 1 passing module I am trying to build, not much success so far  trying to get it to work using type 2 train car.

 

 

[Fyredog]

Hi,

 

Is there a particular train track that is used?  There seems to be many versions available.  I wanted to use the one that works best for this application.

 

Thanks in advance.

[doug72]

17 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Hi,

 

Is there a particular train track that is used?  There seems to be many versions available.  I wanted to use the one that works best for this application.

 

Thanks in advance.

Use Lego City tracks for sraight, curvred, points & flexible

Edited April 28, 2023 by doug72

[Fyredog]

Is anyone able to update the .bsx files?  They error out in bricklink when uploaded.

[Jude The Lego Dude]

7 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Is anyone able to update the .bsx files?  They error out in bricklink when uploaded.

Is this for the original akiyuki instructions? If so, then this is because the part number for the half bush has changed. possibly report it to Akiyuki using his site. There is more then 1 fix, all of which require effort. What components do you want to build? I will fix them for you in the coming days. 

[Fyredog]

14 hours ago, Jude The Lego Dude said:

Is this for the original akiyuki instructions? If so, then this is because the part number for the half bush has changed. possibly report it to Akiyuki using his site. There is more then 1 fix, all of which require effort. What components do you want to build? I will fix them for you in the coming days. 

Hi,

Yes for the original Akiyuki instructions.  The ones I am unable to upload to bricklink are A18010_TrainUnit and A18014_TrainUnloader.  Thank you in advance for fixing them.  It makes it a lot easier to determine what I have and what what I'm missing using bricklink.  Also I'd be interested to know how to fix these for future issues, It seems more of common problem now.

[Jude The Lego Dude]

9 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Hi,

Yes for the original Akiyuki instructions.  The ones I am unable to upload to bricklink are A18010_TrainUnit and A18014_TrainUnloader.  Thank you in advance for fixing them.  It makes it a lot easier to determine what I have and what what I'm missing using bricklink.  Also I'd be interested to know how to fix these for future issues, It seems more of common problem now.

I will use 1 of 2 solutions to edit the BSX file. 
1. open the old file in brickstore and there will be a pert error, use the fix function, then save the file and use it to upload to BL. 

2. (what i will probably do) Open the Ldraw file of the train bits that akiyuki has on his website in Bricklink Studio. then edit them based on the part number errors I get from BL when uploading, until there are no more error parts, then save the file as an io then upload that. 

Brickstore is a real computer power eater, so if you have a weak computer it often crashes, so thats why I will use studio, also because I already have done it. I think

I will do asap, if i dont within the week, put up a post, I will get an email, it should remind me. 

[Jude The Lego Dude]

On 5/3/2023 at 9:22 PM, Fyredog said:

Hi,

Yes for the original Akiyuki instructions.  The ones I am unable to upload to bricklink are A18010_TrainUnit and A18014_TrainUnloader.  Thank you in advance for fixing them.  It makes it a lot easier to determine what I have and what what I'm missing using bricklink.  Also I'd be interested to know how to fix these for future issues, It seems more of common problem now.

ok, those 2 are done. let me know if you have issues with these ones, or if you have issues with others in the future. 
https://bricksafe.com/pages/Jude_The_Lego_Dude/my-gbc-modules/misc-type-2-train
the last 2 files on this link 
 

Edited May 9, 2023 by Jude The Lego Dude
added more words

[Fyredog]

On 5/9/2023 at 5:35 AM, Jude The Lego Dude said:

ok, those 2 are done. let me know if you have issues with these ones, or if you have issues with others in the future. 
https://bricksafe.com/pages/Jude_The_Lego_Dude/my-gbc-modules/misc-type-2-train
the last 2 files on this link 
 

Thank you - wondering how to convert the XLS files to .bsx files?

[Jude The Lego Dude]

Its not the easiest of things to do. 
you can upload the XML to bricklink just as easy as a BSX. I will conevrt them to BSX for you. 
the process will be either open the xml in brickstock (crash computer a few times), then export as bsx
or import to rebrickable and rebrickable will clean it up and export in any format. 

[Jude The Lego Dude]

17 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Thank you - wondering how to convert the XLS files to .bsx files?

https://bricksafe.com/pages/Jude_The_Lego_Dude/my-gbc-modules/misc-type-2-train
Mission complete, uploaded them as bsx files. 

[doug72]

Thanks for the new instructions. forGBC Train type 2.

 

Followed your instructions all went OK until the the change over switch seem to stop working.

Problem finally found, it was due to the insulation of the PF cable from the L motor had broken down & bare wires were toucing.

It is hard to route the PF cables so as not to interfere with the two trip beams & the switch change over links.

Also if  the trip rubber bands on the train reverser are too strong it tend pushes the cross axle at the none switch end of the battery box through the trip beam due to low friction where it passes through the axle holes. Had resorted to glueing the axle to try & stop this happening.

Rebuilting from the start again and try & improve try & PF cable runs .

Edited May 22, 2023 by doug72

[Fyredog]

On 5/20/2023 at 5:30 AM, Jude The Lego Dude said:

https://bricksafe.com/pages/Jude_The_Lego_Dude/my-gbc-modules/misc-type-2-train
Mission complete, uploaded them as bsx files. 

Thank you,  I really appreciate your help.

[Jude The Lego Dude]

I reworked my old turntable and made a far more reliable version. 

Issues with the original;

1. The turning rig geometry didn't fit well with the banana gears which caused high friction and unreliability

2. the single layer or banana gears could split apart easily, causing the module to stop

3. the rotation relied heavily on gears sliding over tiles, not good

4. the whole thing was not in anyway symmetrical, which caused issues with train entry and exit. 

The new version addresses these issues. It features 2 turntables so that the mass of the train can easily be spread out and hold the train securely, entry and exit is smoother now. The whole thing is symmetrical, all half stud offsets have been addressed in the base of the module. Rubber band geometry has changed to boost reliability, the frame has been made a lot more rigid. 

I did 1 hr of testing with good results, train did not ever fail, I will do some more testing soon. @doug72 I can do some PDF instructions (should be a little bit better then the last ones) for you if you want to build it and have a look. 

https://bricksafe.com/pages/Jude_The_Lego_Dude/my-gbc-modules/turn-table

Thanks 

[doug72]

I did 1 hr of testing with good results, train did not ever fail, I will do some more testing soon. @doug72 I can do some PDF instructions (should be a little bit better then the last ones) for you if you want to build it and have a look. 

Thanks Looks to be more robust & reliable  module..

Yes please make PDF instructions & I will build it.

At the moment I am struggling with trying to make a passing loop module for Type 2 GBC Train car. 

 

[Jude The Lego Dude]

2 hours ago, doug72 said:

At the moment I am struggling with trying to make a passing loop module for Type 2 GBC Train car. 

 

Have you made a prototype sort of idea or something? if so I might be able to build along with you and see if I can help. 

Also there is this switcher mechanism that is sort of what I was thinking of. 

Not sure what direction you where planing on heading with it, but this could be some inspiration. 

I will do some instructions for the turntable hopefully soon. 

[Fyredog]

Anyone have the instructions for adding the 24 tooth to the right side of the reverser?

[Jude The Lego Dude]

2 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Anyone have the instructions for adding the 24 tooth to the right side of the reverser?

So I know that HRU bricks designed a reverser that has the 24 tooth driver gear on both sides of the reverser:
https://rebrickable.com/mocs/MOC-72808/HRU Bricks/modified-akiyuki-train-unloader/#details
However that requires a complete rebuild of the akiyuki style reverser. So when I did mine I just free built it. The 10L axle that goes through the LHS 24 tooth gear, I changed to 12L, then under the station I made this assembly; 

that is the 12l axle now goes through a bush then an axle connector then a 4L with stop goes through the other side. 
But now you have to re position the gear racks. 

Sorry for the small images but eurobricks limits image size. 

I hope to do instructions for my final updated/modded reverser, but that is not in the near future, unless....

[Fyredog]

That seems easy enough - Thanks for your response.

 

Question,

What makes version 2 better than version 1?  Version 1 seems less complicated and less wires to deal with.

Edited June 13, 2023 by Fyredog

[Jude The Lego Dude]

5 hours ago, Fyredog said:

What makes version 2 better than version 1?  Version 1 seems less complicated and less wires to deal with.

Ok, so I have built both type 1 and 2. For me type 1 was very reliable, but it has one critical issue, and that is traction. It can sometimes struggle when driving around. I found this to be applicable once you run the train for a day and a half at events. My solution was to replace the lego bands that are on the train wheels with the small white rubber belt that lego makes. This was able to provide more traction until the outsides burnt off a bit (which mine has). You can see in akiyukis videos that he only ever ran it short distances, due to this traction problem. As well as this traction problem the gear selector can occasionally drive into neutral when driving long distances, which leads to further issues. 

Where as the type 2 is much more capable of long distances, due to the 4 wheel drive and electrical switch. I have personally had many problems with the type 2 train, many more then the type 1, and I believe that akiyukis train has problems too, from someones comments I overheard in a video. Type 1 is simper, but can only go short distances. Type 2 is more complex but can go long distances. 

I think that due to the existence of type 2 everyone instantly decided that the type 1 train was bad, which I would argue not, It has been very reliable for me in the past, then again it has been very unreliable, but that just because it is a train, irrespective of its type. 

[Fyredog]

Looking for the Type 1 building instruction in pdf form....

[Jude The Lego Dude]

4 hours ago, Fyredog said:

Looking for the Type 1 building instruction in pdf form....

If this link takes you to page 1 of the thread then scroll down to module number 16, that will provide you with a link to the 'presentation topic' where you will find info and instructions and part lists for all the components. If it goes to page 22 then you are already at the presentation topic. 

If you are considering building the type 1 system I recommend the L motor train, if you are considering building the crane loader (unreliable ish...). For the compact layout the M motor train should suffice. (L motor train has no PDF so I can make one for you if you end up down this path) 
Please note that the type 1 train is not compatible to any type 2 components. 

Edited June 14, 2023 by Jude The Lego Dude
added more words