[TC29] Tracked Penny-farthing (Penny-Tracktor)

[JoKo]

Yes... you read it well!

I had this wild idea while brainstorming about an unexpected vehicle converted to tracks. 

This is my first working prototype. It still makes cracking noise and other small issues but the functions are there:

• PF remote control, 2 L-motors, 1 receiver, battery box
• Penny-farthing central track driven by differential and bicycle pedals
• Fake steering controls
• Driver with articulated legs and arms
• 2-axis head moving system actuated by the shoulders. 

 

 

Sorry for the quick & dirty pictures

Edited June 17, 2025 by JoKo
typo

[Auroralampinen]

This looks like a really fun project:). 

[Paul B Technic]

That is amazing, a very "interesting" idea.

[MangaNOID]

Retro futuristic non traditional vibe 

Neaten up the looks and this will be an awesome build. Love it!

[JoKo]

On 6/6/2025 at 8:37 PM, Auroralampinen said:

This looks like a really fun project:). 

 

On 6/7/2025 at 2:20 AM, Paul B Technic said:

That is amazing, a very "interesting" idea.

 

On 6/7/2025 at 11:08 AM, MangaNOID said:

Retro futuristic non traditional vibe 

Neaten up the looks and this will be an awesome build. Love it!

Thank you guys!

There is some progress:

• New rear frame, properly cross braced solved the cracking noises ( it was bevel gears being pushed appart and skipping teeth)
• Driver went from stick figure prototype to dressed to the nines gentleman. (new head was too heavy, had to use a counterweight inside the torso)
• Tidy up and fix small reliability issues
• Details : headlight, dashboard

 

 

The driver may remind you of the one driving my Fiat S76 MOC. They have similar heads and identical hat, moustache and  bow tie. 

Some details may change but it is close to be done and I'm happy with how it looks and how it works.

[MangaNOID]

Big fan of this :)

[Timewhatistime]

This MOC has become clean by leaving the mockup-state behind and now owns a lot of style, thanks to the gentleman with his hat. 

Nice idea, full of mechanisms AND creativity. I really like it.

[Divitis]

This is adorable!

I love how the driver pulls and pushes those lever, it makes me forget that there are motors at all!

[Timewhatistime]

The driver looks like a weird scientist or a quirky inventor from a Jules Verne novel. He fits the vehicle very well.

Edited June 10, 2025 by Timewhatistime

[JoKo]

On 6/10/2025 at 5:34 AM, MangaNOID said:

Big fan of this :)

Thanks!

On 6/10/2025 at 11:49 AM, Divitis said:

This is adorable!

I love how the driver pulls and pushes those lever, it makes me forget that there are motors at all!

Yeah, this fake steering with the head motion was a fun challenge! 

On 6/10/2025 at 1:17 PM, Timewhatistime said:

The driver looks like a weird scientist or a quirky inventor from a Jules Verne novel. He fits the vehicle very well.

He is the inventor. He's a french eccentric dandy!

I found this old video in dusty 1920 archives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions in progress! It has 903 pieces, 115 of them are track links.

Edited June 14, 2025 by JoKo

[Paul B Technic]

That looks great :)

[JoKo]

Thanks!

Now that I am happy with the vehicle and instructions are done, I built some accessories. I made a luggage rack and chest. the chest can contains small items.

I also built an old camera and a "telescopic" tripod that can be tied down on the chest. This improves the vehicle practicality and adds a bit of storytelling!

 

 

 

 

[Timewhatistime]

On 6/14/2025 at 8:32 PM, JoKo said:

He is the inventor. He's a french eccentric dandy!

I found this old video in dusty 1920 archives:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By this historical document, the tracktor has gained some (nearly) true roots from the great 20th century technical progress.

What a nice coincidence that this footage could by found in the video vaults just when needed!

[JoKo]

@Timewhatistime Yeah! I discovered everything about this weird forgotten vehicle just after TC29 started... What are the odds? 

[JoKo]

That's the trailer I was working on. The base contains a "drivetrain" with functions driven by the left track and and by a subtractor differential on the right side.

The trailer is modular. It is currently set for passenger and luggage transport. ( Sunday ride to the market) But it gives the possibility to use the same base for an unlikely useful agricultural machinery

Functions: 

• Lady's head is driven by the subtractor. A bit similar to the gentleman's head but with different result. Thanks to the vehicle, trailer and hitch geometry when the driver turns left the lady looks right at first and looks left in a second time.
• The cat's tail is animated. Driven by left track via a small crank, a conrod, a rack and finally a last gear. 
• The butterfly flys around by the flowers, driven by left track.

 

 

 

 

 

The trailer's drivetrain:

 

 

[Krall]

I love the silliness of this build! seeing oldman pedal in slowmotion made me smile :D
Good Job! 

[Paul B Technic]

This is awesome.

[Stormyy]

Looks awesome although video's kinda creepy feeling. 

[JoKo]

On 8/4/2025 at 5:46 PM, Krall said:

I love the silliness of this build! seeing oldman pedal in slowmotion made me smile :D
Good Job! 

 

20 hours ago, Paul B Technic said:

This is awesome.

Thank you! I appreciate!

11 hours ago, Stormyy said:

Looks awesome although video's kinda creepy feeling. 

Thanks! Yeah, i almost forgot about the deadline and rushed the entry. I wish I did it better .

[vliet]

This is an awesome build, I rally enjoyed building this and I just love the result. Will there be instructions for the trailer with the lady to make this built even better?

Greets Sander 

 

[JoKo]

12 hours ago, vliet said:

This is an awesome build, I rally enjoyed building this and I just love the result. Will there be instructions for the trailer with the lady to make this built even better?

Greets Sander 

 

Thank you! The trailer is not yet digitalized. But if you post a few pictures and a nice comment on rebrickable I might get the motivation...

[vliet]

I will post some photos soon. I will also have your MOC on display (with other MOCs) this weekend during the opening of the new store of Brams Bouwstenen in Breda (NL).

[JoKo]

1 hour ago, vliet said:

I will post some photos soon. I will also have your MOC on display (with other MOCs) this weekend during the opening of the new store of Brams Bouwstenen in Breda (NL).

   That's flattering!

If you can send me pictures or video of that I would be delighted!