Ryan.Evans.1
The Island of Sodor 2017
Under the coal hopper at the end is an EV3 IR sensor. There was another hidden in the wagon at the station. The EV3 also had a motor hooked up to the rotary dial on a 12V controller. When the train approached either sensor, the power would be reduced, then stopped and after a few seconds, be reversed, sending the train the other way.
The engine worked using a dual drive train wheel AND rack and pinion system, driven off a worm gear for traction and limited speed. Power was taken from the rails through a gutted 9V motor case, sent to the M motor driving the worm gear. This was my exciting build for the layout this year. Sadly, due to not being able to attend much of the show, I was unable to rectify a problem with the speed controller, meaning many people didn't see this in action.
The Island of Sodor 2017
Under the coal hopper at the end is an EV3 IR sensor. There was another hidden in the wagon at the station. The EV3 also had a motor hooked up to the rotary dial on a 12V controller. When the train approached either sensor, the power would be reduced, then stopped and after a few seconds, be reversed, sending the train the other way.
The engine worked using a dual drive train wheel AND rack and pinion system, driven off a worm gear for traction and limited speed. Power was taken from the rails through a gutted 9V motor case, sent to the M motor driving the worm gear. This was my exciting build for the layout this year. Sadly, due to not being able to attend much of the show, I was unable to rectify a problem with the speed controller, meaning many people didn't see this in action.