4 wide external motorization

[CodeHard]

Hey there!

I really like 4 stud wide Lego trains, but haven't found a good way to motorize them yet.
I thought about using Circuit Cubes, but they would still be too big for me, and according to their website they would only last 1 hour on batteries.

That's why I was thinking to motorize the tracks instead of the train, using some sort of chain mechanism.
Included is a render of something I've been tinkering with, that is probably over-engineered and too expensive.
I was wondering if someone else has made something like this before, as then I wouldn't have to go through all the trouble of reinventing it.

Thanks,
CodeHard

[Murdoch17]

Welcome to Eurobricks!

@SavaTheAggie has done something using a similar method with his 'quarter scale rail' project, which you can see here in his Flickr album about it.

Also, as a side note: Eurobricks isn't meant to host photos @CodeHard. You need to find a outside site to host them like Flickr, Instagram, Bricksafe, or another site, then link them into your post. @JopieK can help you more with that as he's our moderator here in train tech.

Edited December 30, 2024 by Murdoch17

[CodeHard]

Wow, thanks!

That seems like a way simpler solution than mine.

Thanks for letting me know about the photos as well. I was wondering why I could only upload one :)

[CaL]

What about powering with circuit cubes? The rechargeable battery is 4 wide and the motor is 2 wide.

[witchy]

My smallest 4 wide models are designed to use a Studly Trains micromotor and a deltang controller with a small, generic LiPo battery. This is unfortunately more involved than just plugging things together, but it’s the most compact way I’ve found to motorise truly 4 wide models.

The circuit cube motor can be just as suitable, if the battery and controller question can be solved.

[XG BC]

there is always this...