lego train 4 switches puzzle

[pacha]

Hi,

i have a Lego duplo train with 4 switches (non electrical train), I want to design a track that can hold the 4 track switches, not only that; What I want is to have the train pass all the tracks

... I saw a video on youtube that is using a 6 track switches here:

youtube.com/watch?v=KzTVpKfwvIY

I hope that someone can help me solve this puzzle even if I need to elevate few tracks (use several levels) to simplify the connectios between the switches.

I would like to mention that these switches are manual and my son is changing them each time he wants the train to cover a track,

http://media.peeron.com/pics/inv/custpics/51943c01.1217051032.jpg

so I thought why not construct a clever track that allow the train to do theses changes while passing the switches and covering all the track.

one last thing "is enough for the train to cover one sense of the track from Point A to B OR from point B to A and not both senses, but yes, it should cover all the track".

Thanks in advance

[JopieK]

Hi Pacha, welcome to Eurobricks!!

We have a dedicated Train Tech forum where most of the train fol(k)s reside! I have asked a moderator to move the topic there. Those duplo trains surely are strong!!! Very neat Duplo train layout!

[Bob De Quatre]

Topic moved to Train Tech forum

[pacc]

Hi,

I did this last winter which ran two trains at once:

http://www.eurobricks.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=87600entry1773620

with lego switches it is

is possible to have trains come backwards the wrong way

through switches, so a special arrangement will lead the train

train through all sections.

It is essentially two connected loopbacks, but then using

Two extra switches to connect the loops...

With a crossing a simpler arrangement can be made

made, if you can construct crossing that is..

[JopieK]

but crossings are also available aren't they?! and your idea is nice, one could use an arduino or something to accomplish that!

[zephyr1934]

There are duplo crossing tracks, but they are not common. About every other cycle has a crossing in the large duplo train set. The other common alternative is a bridge, which can be used as a crossing as well (also most recently found in the large duplo train set). If you have enough track you do not even need the bridge part. In either case, you can make a figure 8 layout embedded in a "O" using the four switches to connect the top and bottom loops while bypassing the "x" in the middle.