New "Snailways" bus terminal from Lunde

[160pennsy]

Yes, I have. See my extensive review.

Tomytec bus is controlled by a microcontroller running custom firmware. It also only has a two-speed single-direction motor controller.  To make it go in reverse would require a rebuild of that circuitry (both firmware and hardware).

So this "rebuild" is not a simple hack? Sounds a lot more expensive like:

A.) Reverse engineer how it currently works, then
B.) Make a new PC board and
C.) Write new firmware to make the motor do what you want it to do (like...go in reverse bus)
D.) Test, debug, rewrite firmware
E.) Change PC board SMD layout, rinse, repeat...
F.) And after spending a small fortune $$ Yeah..!! it now consistently goes in reverse..!!

[bbussey]

It's possible to control the TomyTec bus with magnets through a custom route.  The road over the guide wire must be no more than .020" thick.  Strategically placed magnets or electromagnets could control a bus at a railroad crossing.  It should be possible to have the bus cross the tracks "blind" (i.e., with no guide wire under the rails) and pick up the embedded wire on the other side.  But it's doable, as I've worked out the concept in the video below.

[160pennsy]

Couldn't sleep. so during my web searches I stumbled upon this gem...So simple even a Japanese doggie can figure out how to do it !

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Spoiler alert the "magic parts" are revealed around the 1:10 & 2:54 marks

[peteski]

Nice find Paul.

If the flangeways are narrow enough and the bus route is perpendicular to the track then this is feasible. As I mentioned earlier, I suspect that the much larger steering magnet in the Tomytec bus is better at seeking the steel guide wire.  I still say that there is no need for movable magnet to stop the bus when a simple electromagnet will do the trick. No need for fancy servos and linkages.

BTW, I think that I spotted a cat in that video too.

[Bangorboy]

This brings up a question.   Just to make sure the magnet finds the route on the other side, couldn't the guide wire be split into two wires forming a short vee to funnel it back to center if it wanders off the line?

[peteski]

This brings up a question.   Just to make sure the magnet finds the route on the other side, couldn't the guide wire be split into two wires forming a short vee to funnel it back to center if it wanders off the line?

That sounds like an interesting possible solution. Or even add a middle wire to the vee.

[cfritschle]

That sounds like an interesting possible solution. Or even add a middle wire to the vee.

The N-Car-S system uses that setup.  Page three of the first download on this webpage has a diagram of it.  http://www.stapelberg.net/N-CAR-S/Downloads/ 

Carter

[peteski]

The N-Car-S system uses that setup.  Page three of the first download on this webpage has a diagram of it.  http://www.stapelberg.net/N-CAR-S/Downloads/ 

Carter

So they do - on every vehicle entry side of each module. The website looks to be another full branch of the N scale hobby.

[Bangorboy]

I am humbled.  At least I know my idea of the vee wasn't unworkable.  Thanks for the additional information, guys.

[160pennsy]

The N-Car-S system uses that setup.  Page three of the first download on this webpage has a diagram of it.  http://www.stapelberg.net/N-CAR-S/Downloads/ 

Carter

Has anyone been able to translate the N-Car-S webpage (German to English) so that we can find out what road materials, adhesives, tools, electronics & techniques they used for the embedded wire, roadway and lane changing features? Some of it might work well for creating US roadways for the TomyTec bus system.