Magnetic levitation

[ModN Dom]

Is anyone interested in magnetic levitation? I have just awaiting delivery of a Fujumi monorail kit and fancy trying to convert from static to moving. Any ideas about propulsion?

[Newportnobby]

Hi Dom, and welcome to the forum

How about a small motor and a propellor mounted at the rear?

[Ian Morton]

Obvious - maglev.

Put some high strength magnets in the train and mount electro-magnets along the track. By selectively energising them you can lift and propel the train.

Trouble is you'll need to do a lot of experimentation , some form of computer/micro-controller to control it and deep pockets to afford it!

[zwilnik]

A cheaper (and possibly simpler) way to fake mag lev might be to do an air levitation one (like those air hockey games). Put rubber or plastic tubing down the centre of the track (could even be made of drinking straws for testing purposes ) pierced with holes at regular intervals.

Rig up a small pump to blow air through the tubes and this will levitate the train. If the underside of the train is suitably shaped (probably slight ridges  or wedges with their downward faces pointing slightly rearwards) then the up blowing air will be forward backwards and the train should run forwards.

[Zogbert Splod]

A cheaper (and possibly simpler) way to fake mag lev might be to do an air levitation one (like those air hockey games). Put rubber or plastic tubing down the centre of the track (could even be made of drinking straws for testing purposes ) pierced with holes at regular intervals.

Rig up a small pump to blow air through the tubes and this will levitate the train. If the underside of the train is suitably shaped (probably slight ridges  or wedges with their downward faces pointing slightly rearwards) then the up blowing air will be forward backwards and the train should run forwards.

That's a good starting point.  Have a look here: http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=27560.msg301138#msg301138

[Railwaygun]

I tried to build a small one at school - 3phase power was involved as you need a travelling wave to generate thrust.

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/linearmotor.html

Levitation is easy - propulsion less so!

[acook]

Levitation is easy - propulsion less so!

Problem I have every morning!

[Sprintex]

Levitation is easy - propulsion less so!

Problem I have every morning!

I wouldn't call "morning levitation" a problem necessarily


Paul

[railsquid]

No idea, but for reference Takara Tomy produce the Linear Liner, a model of the Japanese maglev.

[woodbury22uk]

Oldman was using IDL induction motors for moving things, and there are some references over on the T gauge threads.

http://www.teenytrains.com/

http://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?topic=20567.msg243375#msg243375        from post #25

[DarrwestLU6]

Wow! I am very impressed that the model maglev train is ready now (I found this Japan Times video from 2015
https://youtu.be/xirz7Zm8t6w) and yet the 505kph/314 mph real thing isn't ready until 2027.

But this is VERY cool - how can I resist a ride on a 314mph train!

Wiki extract here: The Chuo Shinkansen (中央新幹線 Chūō Shinkansen) is a Japanese maglev line under construction between Tokyo and Nagoya, and planned to be extended to Osaka. Its initial section is between Shinagawa Station in Tokyo and Nagoya Station in Nagoya.....The line is expected to connect Tokyo and Nagoya in 40 minutes, and eventually Tokyo and Osaka in 67 minutes, running at a maximum speed of 505 km/h (314 mph)...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C5%AB%C5%8D_Shinkansen

Just look at those two cities on Google Maps - that's quite a distance!

[Snowwolflair]

There are several articles across the internet on this and the consensus is powered rubber rollers and guide wheels, which given that's how the real ones are powered is consistent.

The FUJI monorails are models of units that are really electric buses which run on rubber wheels on a concrete beam.  Its simple and cheap.

[Snowwolflair]

If you are prepared to make your own concrete pylons topped with TGauge (3mm) track, motorising with TGauge power cars should be straight forward.