Meccano automated mine train system

[@BaldyMakesStuff]

I don't think Meccano gets any better than this. Magnificent.

[@richardrea7146]

Meccano may be 120 years old but we are still exploring new ways to use it. Frank Hornby would be so pleased.

[@rizalardiansyah4486]

I've seen this mechanism built from Lego, but seeing it built from meccano certainly gives more of that complexity and satisfactory look. I'll be staring at it for hours if I had one!

[@MrBonzaiTree]

My mind was blown when I realised each component was being powered by the trucks themselves.

[@ctje1638]

I know right! I saw those batteries when he zoomed in on the unloaded and my pupils dilated!!!

[@The_HillPeople]

Yeah, I was blinded when the light came on over my head.

[@davidterry2038]

Absolutely amazing. Mesmerising to watch. I can only wonder at the many many hours you put into getting it all to work so faultlessly. 😊😊

[@MidwestSirenProductions]

This reminds me of the old “GBC” modules that Lego creator Akiyuki made a while back. Now this is an incredible project!

[@timehunter9467]

It’s almost the same layout and mechanism by the looks of it.

[@Dogappel]

Yes it's almost exactly the same, but this one is Meccano.

[@tomlouie2855]

Beautiful. I love the long views without fast edits. Gives us a chance to appreciate the rhythm of the cars.

[@natehill8069]

Actually, I was wishing the overhead was longer so I could follow a single car through all the stations.

[@theID2]

@@natehill8069 a single car won't take you thru all the stages.

[@natehill8069]

@@theID2 true, that one stage on the left is an orphan

[@kyledavidson8712]

I wanted more at the beginning. Listen kids I might be old but I'm slow

[@peterofenback9263]

A piece of art. Even the noise is so industrial.

[@timehunter9467]

It’s a meccano version of Akiyuki’s Lego train system! I did wonder if it was possible seeing it uses the same switching mechanism and modules.

[@ChrisShute62]

A very well-presented model with plenty of to enjoy. Wonderful theatre! I liked the speed and smoothness of everything.

[@geerow8718]

Amazing, well done. Use to play with Maccano 60 years ago, one of my favourite hobbies. I think it helped me go onto a career as a design engineer. Always loved mechanics. Shame they dont encourage this sort of thing in schools.

[@JP-ib2iz]

As a young boy around 6 or 7 years old, I received a mechano set from Santa! My interest in both mechanical & electrical devices was opened by this marvellous play set, 60 years later, I perform my own car maintenance & save a lot not having to take my vehicles and famly members cars to the garage and various other interests in machines, electronics, etc! All due to that marvellous little 'Mechano Set' whom ever invented this toy set, well done, much better than having children glued to their fictitious virtual internet, these days, hands on experience with, nuts & bolts, screw drivers, spanners etc

[@raymondo162]

same here mate. i just overhauled the rear brake caliper on my motorcycle. 72

[@robwilde855]

Yes - like you. Nothing else could compare with it then - and certainly nothing since. You learned to design as well as make unique things that worked! And I'm quite sure that a lot of engineers started with Meccano in their childhood. Must be one of the best concepts ever.

[@coalcrackerchris]

You have to post the blueprints of this engineering model!!! Love to add it to my 027 model layout. Great job!!!

[@etiennedesees5912]

This video drew from my 77 years old eyes some tears. I remembered my MECCANO BOX N°0 I got from my grand father for my 9th birthday somewhere in the fifties.

[@michaelberg9656]

This is absolutely stunning. It's up there with the best. Like Wasatch I like that it is all mechanical. It's a bit like the well-known "tricky-track" model in that the modules are powered by the coal cars. Congratulations!

[@K-Effect]

This makes all the right noises, I could watch this all day long. Excellence!

[@blk77sunshn]

Absolute wizardry! Well done ! I hope some engineering firm sees this and hires you on the spot and let's you write your own ticket !

[@johnmeccanitian]

What a fascinating model and great video.

[@Askjerry]

Amazing... I think of myself as a reasonably smart person... but I doubt I could design something as sophisticated and beautifully designed as this. Outstanding job.

[@frosthoe]

Its like i walked into a wonderous room, then slowly backed out. Knowing full well , one step further and im addicted, whole and complete. As a machinist this scares the crap out of me. I could evaporate YEARS making these legacy electro/mechanical components ,happy through it all till im gray.

[@bertspeggly4428]

I just watched this again after 8 months. It's still stunning. I may attempt a slimmed-down version, but the complete model is just too overwhelmingly huge.

[@hartleymartin]

I hope James May sees this video.

[@kyrengorkian]

There have been many toy versions of this design. Names associated with it are Big Loader, Tomy and Thomas and Friends.

[@DaleKirkley]

I presume this is based on the Lego version?

[@bertspeggly4428]

Could you post the URL for that? I'd like to see it although I'm a Meccano man. Thanks.

[@DaleKirkley]

@@bertspeggly4428 Sure thing, here you go. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSTY4qcpcacadk

[@electraglide1976]

Yes It was the inspiration

[@TokubetsuYT]

@@electraglide1976 You really ought to Credit and Link Akiyuki in your video description, since this is basically a Meccano copy of the LEGO one.

[@stephaniesinger1159]

wow.... better that the Erector set I got for christmas.... 2 thumbs up...!

[@davidmusk9605]

Excellent video coverage.

[@WA1LBK]

Absolutely AWESOME! 😃 VERY ingenious design work! Operates amazingly smoothly, Subscribing so I can check out your videos on how you made this all work. 🙂

[@TrainsBigandSmallUK]

Fantastic! I could watch this all day. Brilliant engineering.

[@4Iljt2]

Congratulations, this is a fabulous piece of work!

[@olivvapor4873]

That’s absolutely brilliant ! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 May I ask what is the turntable meant for ? 😬😊 Is there a non symetrical function on the wagons ?

[@bertspeggly4428]

Maybe it's just for added awesomeness😁😁😁

[@Ififitzisitz]

Really ingenious And clever. My goodness.

[@piperfox74]

The audio on this video doesn't get enough credit. The way it's recorded gives the whole mechanism a feeling of much grander scale.

[@davidmusk9605]

Absolutely brilliant. I'll make it my next project.

[@theuberninja262]

There was a toy like this once, it had to be in the late 90s or rearly 2000s. It was basically this; motorized cars on rails that would move marbles too and from modules that the cars could power. I've been looking everywhere to find what they were called. Does anyone know? Edit: I found it! It's called the Big Loader construction set, made by Tomy!

[@saxaincol]

I had this in the late 70's and was my favorite toy!

[@MrSteamDragon]

Crikey! That is brilliant. How long did it take you to work out the sequencing and construction? A truly remarkable model.

[@ob0273]

Akiyuki? This is incredible :ooo

[@dovedaler]

An astounding piece of work!

[@mbcommandnerd]

Wait, this is Akiyuki’s LEGO train system design, but made with Meccano!!! This is so awesome!!!

[@susanbutcher696]

Wonderful! What type of switch did you use for reversing the wagon motors?

[@electraglide1976]

A simple miniature double poles switch but not MECCANO one

[@susanbutcher696]

Pressure on the bar at the side of the wagon slides the the bar inwards, which flips a toggle switch to reverse the motor, is that right?

[@electraglide1976]

I just add a new video for more details

[@bertspeggly4428]

Hi Sue, haven't seen you on NZ Meccano lately?

[@susanbutcher696]

I'm not doing any construction at the moment, that's why. Robot Elsie is currently in the too hard basket, and a new model of any size would require pulling the existing models down.

[@N-Scale]

That is SUPER COOL !!! Thanks for sharing !!!

[@a-fl-man640]

kinda looks like my old erector set

[@mr.shadestrains6033]

That is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen Absolutely Awsum 🚂🙃👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 💥💥subscribed 💥💥

[@carsten4594]

Really cool, thanks.

[@bladokonaly9777]

Magnifique travail mon cousin BRAVO 👏 ... des engrenages avec des dents partout ... tu n'es pas pas perdu au fond 😄

[@rogergriffith286]

Very impressive.

[@zunkman1]

I could watch this all day.

[@sleeplessengineer1450]

You should mention Akiyuki since they invented this system. Good job upgrading it from Lego to Meccano though, I'll always prefer metal over plastic.

[@WardenWolf]

I have no idea how this showed up in my feed, but that is super cool and I never imagined you could do anything like that. I never had Meccano, but I had an old Erector set (compatible but most pieces are more rigid). I used some components quite extensively, but given the set's age and limitations (older sets lacked the gears and other complex features that make this possible) I could never have done anything like this. I do remember that powerful AC electric motor it had. It had a very satisfying growl.

[@dmp9135]

He...He...He... you said erect!

[@BerthilvanBeek]

Well done! You had a good look at the Akiyuki LEGO train system from 5 years ago before building this :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/lWSTY4qcpcacadk

[@hobbyrob313]

how terribly beautiful! also a piece of technology i enjoyed it very much respect for the builder(s) Healthy and kind regards from the Netherlands! Rob

[@Laluan]

My mind is blown

[@tomellis487]

👍 wonderful

[@bawdydog176]

That is so cool!

[@berniemcfadden7760]

Wow that's incredible! Back in the early 60's my dad and I built a huge arched bridge, with a motorized lift, out of an Erector set. Took us a while but it worked well enough for my Tonka trucks to roll over.

[@awnimasi]

so cool

[@chrisstradling2535]

Absolutely incredible. I.K. Brunel would have tipped his stovepipe hat.

[@lyndakirk]

This is brilliant, well done!

[@jeffrey44]

The red one has the worst job. It only has a short length of track to work with and it probably doesn't know that it's collecting the same balls over and over again. I feel that the yellow, blue and green cars have a better idea of the whole system and their place in it. Do all four cars have the tipping mechanism that the red one has? Can the cars be swapped over?

[@HMFan2010]

Why do the yellow, green, and blue wagons get to have all the fun and travel all the track interchanges while the red one simply goes back and forth on the same track section? That seems kind of unfair. Overall I love this! The simple fact that it’s ALL mechanically triggered (no computers or microprocessors) makes it more impressive and fascinating! Thanks for posting!

[@clivebradley2633]

What fun 🙂

[@abc321meins]

Me: I wonder what controller he uses... Maybe an Arduino? Also me moments later: Wait... There are no cables... WTF! This is 98% mechanics! Wow!

[@nigelm7450]

Now that is F.A.N.T.S.T.I.C!! Everywhere you look, there is something going on! I could literally sit here all night watching this, l bought my grandson something called "top loader" which is a kids game, with a similar style to this, but obviously not as intricate, but this is just amazing! Well done to you Excellent!

[@wgm-en2gx]

This is a-maze-ing !!! However, the real question is where did you get genuine all metal Meccano in pristine condition?!

[@McRocket]

This is like my life. Lots of movement. But in the end - accomplishing nothing. Just wasted energy. Wonderful layout/effort for this. ☮

[@raymondo162]

BONUS points for tha lack of chippage involved. salute

[@covbloke511]

WOW!!! Could not stop smiling. Brilliant!!! Do you work for Red Bull??? lol

[@realbozoid]

Brilliant.

[@pideso]

Amazing!

[@ericvanquickelberghe5111]

Realy genious. I didn't now that this was even possible with meccano. Great job.

[@williamrobertson9155]

MECHANICAL engineering at its best excellent!!!👍

[@Kharnellius]

Can you release an uncut version? I'd like to be able to follow one color through the ENTIRE course. It was kind of driving me nuts that I couldn't. Awesome set up, though!

[@alexprocyk8805]

I could not be more impressed even if you walked up on stage and slapped me while presenting an Oscar!

[@cptkirkjamest6927]

I used 2 love playing around with meccano. But that's awesome

[@purplesmurf2010]

Reminds me of the Big Loader Constructor Set from the late 70s. This is infinitely more elegant though, nice job.

[@coloradostrong]

Nice. I was wondering what this is. I picked up 2 complete boxes of these at my local Walmart store. They were on the clearance aisle, next to 6 dented cans of dark green house paint and some loose bottles of weed eater fuel mix. I thought they were boxes of shelf brackets. They were $24.99 each. Now I have to look for some shelf brackets again.

[@iancatt8550]

I think it is good I liked when the camera was on the truck, but could go further both the camera & the layout getting bigger & longer, could have it making something. May be the wooden clothes pegs construction. In another video a train played a tune via glasses beside the track...😊

[@yeong126]

Beautiful work!

[@pinterelectric]

I have a toy called”big,big,loader” I always thought it was an engineering wonder, but this is a thousand times cooler!

[@newjerseyray]

mesmerizing to watch. very nice. thanks for posting.

[@LM.P]

Reminds me of THE BIG LOADER toy set from the 80's

[@u1zha]

Oh, memories... IIRC my last ever project many years ago was to build a roller coaster car that would electromechanically activate its lift at the end of the ride and stop the motor when the car is rolling from the top again... Made the draft mechanical assets, the car, track and lift tower, but never finished it...

[@scottjenks7253]

I was mesmerized. Thank you. amazing setup.

[@DukeCronenwerth]

Interesting. But why should the car be turnend before filling?

[@sbuko1]

In Czechoslovakia (and now in Slovakia and Czechia) is similar kit known as Merkur.

[@paparoysworkshop]

Sweet! I had Meccano when I was a kid, but nothing like this. I see that it uses Energizer batteries. It just keeps going and going and going...

[@1ggsxx]

I justa can't stop watching this.A little marvel.

[@zanetevis797]

This is just a fancy Tommy big loader

[@douglascampbell4993]

Now that’s fuckin impressive!

[@ondrejprusa7725]

it's amazing what can be built from the Czech Merkur kit

[@BHARGAV_GAJJAR]

It's very clever I have never had any Meccano only Legos but I don'tseem to ever have time to enjoy and build these things anyways

[@tonyowen_seagull_guy]

Would have been neat to see a mamod steam helping in some way...but that is just me...loved my Mamod M.M.2 ;-)

[@tetraquark2402]

This is really great. Loved Meccano when I was a kid. Still got it in the attic

[@mokeimusic]

I like how it sounds compared to these types of things made with Lego. This has a much more industrial sound to it.

[@VK2FVAX]

..and *THIS* is why I loved Meccano as a kid instead of Lego.

[@MartiiTravel]

Unfortunately this is the end of Meccano, their last factory will be closed in 2024 iirc

[@charlescburgie1910]

it looks like the old Erector Setsthat is absolutely amazing what he didI wonder if you can get those sets nowdo you know where you could get that

[@wanlover477]

when you see something as good as this its hard to understand why the last dedicated meccano factory in france is shutting down,possibly meccano is not for the very young and the ones its aimed at have internet and dozens of different game consoles, using your brain isn't for everyone lol...i had a big meccano set 50 years ago and my dad made most of our finished models...

[@corypride5096]

Painfully complex but extremely enjoyable.

[@QuintonMurdock]

Oh, there’s no actual mechanism that is actuating the switches. It is just spring pressure from the bar pieces being used as rail, and it only changes in the sense that one of the the directions the switch can be pushed open or the switch will be forced by the flanges of the wheels to go as it rolls along. Passive spring switches I guess. Clever

[@CHECKOYCHELA]

Amazing Meccano mining set 👍