Linear Motor Experiments - New Models, New Scales

I like to plan one layout ahead, so with Penzance taking shape I have been exploring a few ideas for next year's project. Here is a mix of new models, all test builds in different prototypes and scales, T Gauge and others. These intentionally push the limits of what the system can handle, but they all do run.
The background music is from the KZbin library: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms by Zacariah Hickman, Russian Dance by Joey Pecoraro, and English Country garden by Aaron Kenny.

[@JAMESDEMU-RailwayModeller]

Brilliant. Love the idea of making vehicles move using these motors. Will be looking into doing that for a future project

[@AlwaysCensored-xp1be]

Every scale from 1:160 to 1:750😮 extremely versatile. Not sure how much power the coils use and the driving frequency but you could put coils in the locos with bridge rectifier for led lights.

[@modelrailmusings5981]

There are min and max size and weight limits, adjusted by magnet size and the need to handle tight corners, and but anything that falls within that range is potentially doable. This video deliberately tested those boundaries. I particularly like the 1:220 NG, which almost can almost cope with the roundabouts on the road test track. The current draw is 0.3A-0.4A for 1.0-1.5m sections at 12V-15V. That works out to 3-4W/m as a literal answer to your question. The basic driving frequency is just a few Hz, but I modulate that at up to 2kHz for microstepping. I do know someone who has used LEDs with tiny induction coils to achieve carriage lighting on a small one of these tracks, but I believe he used a separate induction loop to power it.

[@exveefan]

I can't comprehend how you manage to work with all these different scales so successfuly. Especially the 2/3rd T-scale. X__X

[@modelrailmusings5981]

A few ways of interpreting that, so... The track and electrics are identical. The drive magnets vary in size and placement, but really no more than with large and small models in the same scale. For the models themselves, I do the 3D print designs to an arbitrary base scale with a resize parameter to adjust them up or down as needed, and with the couplers and magnet holes added afterwards in real-world sizes. For mental flexibility and eccentricity, I used to be an N gauge modeller when everyone around me was OO!

[@JamesPetts]

Also - showing the use of these motors for road vehicles in N scale is very interesting, as existing systems to animate road vehicles are very limiting.

[@JamesPetts]

Very dinky! This stuff makes my N gauge look huge.

[@johnd8892]

Very well done. I think I may have seen your good work at AMRA related events. Are there two methods of running T gauge trains? Some seem to be wheel driven with phone type motors in the locomotives and railcars. While others , especially smaller than T gauge use linear motors with a moving magnetic wave under the tracks. Am I right with my assumptions? Any estimate of the usage of the two methods if I am correct?

[@modelrailmusings5981]

Thanks. Most people (i.e. nearly all) use conventional T Gauge, with motors and such just like most model railways. A handful of people have built some sort of layout with the Teenytrains linear motor products, an even smaller group have experimented with their own tracks, some have bought pre-built layouts using a chain drive in TY (1:900), and then there is me.

[@nadnerb2k]

I am in absolute awe. Will you be exhibiting any of your models?

[@modelrailmusings5981]

Thanks. Yes, since exhibitions are finally resuming after a 3-year hiatus due to you-know-what. Adelaide in June, then Melbourne in August, which probably won't be much use to you unless you live in SE Australia.

[@nadnerb2k]

@@modelrailmusings5981 I'm in Sydney. Might be a little difficult but one of these days I'll hopefully make the trip :)

[@modelrailmusings5981]

@@nadnerb2k My (very loose) plans are to try and alternate Adelaide and Sydney each June, so maybe next year...

[@mandarhaval7880]

Because there will be coils on both sides of Pcb tracks, what happens to half coils at the joints of 2 pcb? Are these just cut and left open? Or is one such coil sacrificed?

[@modelrailmusings5981]

You have clearly been thinking about this! That is one of the main technical challenges and complications. I join the track pieces together with small daughter boards soldered underneath to bridge the gap, and they have that missing coil.