[MOC][WIP] Intermodaltransport System "Modalohr"

[Ts__]

I usually only post “finished” MOCs on Eurobricks. Today, I’m making an exception. This topic came up in another thread, and I don’t want to hijack that thread. So I’m starting a “work-in-progress” thread here for my truck loading project.

I've been building a lot of little RC trucks over the past two years, even though I'm actually a Lego train enthusiast ;-)

But of course, I don't do that without a backdrop....

My goal is to establish a functional system for loading trucks onto trains based on the system developed by the French company Lohr: Modalohr

Okay, it sounds like a pipe dream, and it is. I came up with the idea in the summer of 2023. I started by experimenting a bit with the train cars and then focused on the trucks in 2024.

 

My project history:

First prototype of the waggons (Sommer 2023):

First test run waggons (version 1.0) at BSBT 2023 with "dummy" Trailers:

Prototype test truck (Autumn 2023):

finish first trucks (Version 1.0) and trailers in spring 2024:

 

rework waggons (Version 2.0) (autumn 2024):

 

public test run for the waggons at Bricking Bavaria 2024 in Fürth / Germany (November 2024):

 

Start of terminal technic development (winter 2024/2025):

Start of building the terminals (winter/spring 2025):

 

4 Terminals with one side road almost done (spring 2025): 

 

 

first public test run at NLGM 2025 in Wörrstadt / Germany (April 2025)

Construction of the entire road, the second terminal street side and the access ramp (Summer 2025):

 

Second public exhibition at BSBT 2025 in Schkeuditz (August 2025):

Video:

 

After the first exhibitions, the technology was revised.

 

First for the trucks (Version 2.0): improved steering, shorter wheelbase (Autumn 2025):

 

and then I equipped all the Technic functions in all four terminals with worm gears and made them stronger and more stable (Winter 2025/2026):

 

That was a quick rundown of the project's 2.5-year history ;-)

If you’d like to know more about specific areas or topics, please ask—I’ll be happy to go into detail.

The project isn’t finished yet; I’m hard at work building the truck and trailer. The next exhibition is the NLGM 2026 in Wörrstadt, Germany, in late April/early May.

 

Thomas

Edited 16 hours ago by Ts__

[bogieman]

Fabulous work on an ambitious project, love the mechanisms and motion.

Dave

[Ts__]

Thank You.

Unfortunately, I don't have a photo of the final result from the rework this winter, so here's a rendering of the technic in my four terminals:

All 4 terminals have the same technical design and each use 4 Lego PU motors and a Lego PU Technic HUB.

 

Centering and lifting the railcar: Lego Boost Interactive Motor (far right in the picture)

Turntable: Lego Boost Interactive Motor (to the left of the HUB in the picture)

2x: Lifters on the turntable: Lego PU L Motor

 

All motors are equipped with a 24:1 reduction gear via a worm gear: this generates a lot of power. All motors report their current position to the HUB, so that the control program on the HUB (PyBricks) knows where each motor/function is at any given moment.

The same PyBricks program runs on all 4 HUBs. When starting the HUB, I set the terminal number with the HUB Button. HUB 1 is then paired with a Lego PU remote control via Bluetooth. HUBs 2–4 receive the remote control commands from HUB 1 via Bluetooth broadcast.

I can use the remote control to control each terminal individually or all 4 terminals at once.

 

A lot of tinkering went into the terminals' design: I kept modifying them over several months and making them more compact. This winter, I then incorporated the worm gears into all the functions to increase power reserves.

 

Thomas

 

[Toastie]

9 hours ago, Ts__ said:

So I’m starting a “work-in-progress” thread here for my truck loading project.

Moin Thomas,

and this is so cool! Much nicer than seeing a shiny, all closed, perfectly designed and working final model or true "system", like this one.

There is a very big difference, when reading "I started the project in 2023 and here's the result" or when sharing an illustrated/visual logbook, as you are presenting!

What to say: Finest artwork? Yes. Technically brilliant? Yes. Crazy functions? Yes. Complex? No: Crazy-complex. Almost three years now - absolutely stunning. But then ... you know how it goes: Ah, Thomas posted something new ... I the wish I had seat belts on my chair, the type that keeps me straight-up, so even when I faint when clicking on the new thread, the toothpicks (cut to length and rounded of course) forcing my eyes open let me still go through the entire post!

Man, what a nice project, with such a nice outcome!

One question: How do you control the 4-port (Technic) hubs? I am sure there is some nifty stuff doing its work here as well!

All the best and thank you very much for sharing!
Thorsten         

Edited 19 hours ago by Toastie

[Ts__]

Thanks Thorsten!

 

5 minutes ago, Toastie said:

There is a very big difference, when reading "I started the project in 2023 and here's the result" or when sharing an illustrated/visual logbook, as you are presenting!

Yes, I completely agree. I also love the building story behind a project. And I can assure you: I don’t build in secret by myself for several years and then suddenly show something. I’ve been sharing and documenting this project from the very beginning. My main forum is the “Doctor Brick” forum (Germany), where I basically show everything “live.” And of course on Flickr too (there’s been an album for it since 2023). I’ve posted about 9 or 10 "work-in-progress" videos about the terminal on my YouTube channel. Things don’t always work out right away, and I often have to try a lot of different things until I’m satisfied. And then rebuild it all over again^^

Eurobricks is a bit trickier: there are lots of great people and MOC builders here, but they rarely go into much detail. There’s more to it....

 

13 minutes ago, Toastie said:

One question: How do you control the 4-port (Technic) hubs? I am sure there is some nifty stuff doing its work here as well!

The Legp PU Technic Hub pairs with a standard Lego PU remote control and is operated through it. There’s nothing special about it ;-)

 

At the Technic Hub runs PyBricks, which is a different firmware that includes a custom-programmed application that translates the remote control commands into commands for the motors.

BUT: I could also do the whole thing without PyBricks and use a tablet with the Lego PU app. That would work too: I can pair 4 Hubs with the Lego PU app on a tablet and then control them from the tablet. But: I don’t want to have an extra smart device lying around just for that....

Link to the PyBricks Project (I use for this the Google Chrome Browser: Crazy, a browser can flash a Lego PU Hub over Bluetooth....)

 

Thomas

[Toastie]

Hi Thomas,

your links are all copied; I shall take a look!!!

29 minutes ago, Ts__ said:

(I use for this the Google Chrome Browser: Crazy, a browser can flash a Lego PU Hub over Bluetooth....)

Well, Firefox user here BUT: I recently updated my Chrome browser (I never really use) simply because @Bliss is doing crazy and absolutely breathtaking work on "Interface B control using modern computers etc."

https://www.eurobricks.com/forum/forums/topic/200778-project-programs-to-allow-interactions-between-old-lego-control-interfaces-rcx-lego-interface-b-others/#findComment-3822299

It is a rather elaborate thread with ongoing work, but the current status of @Bliss Blockly web interface is ... as crazy as your machinery . I know it is a stretch, but I see Interface B (still being available around the world) as a viable train layout component. 9V, 8 sensor inputs/"motor" outputs. No PUp smart motors, just the dumb 9V variety. On the other hand, the 8 sensor inputs may be interesting as well in train world. I am reconsidering some of my >purely home< train layout solutions to be replaced by Interface Bs. Yes, several Bs, as the referenced software handles more than one.

Did you professional train guys took a look at Interface B at all in the past? I am sure, and I am just asking.

So nice to connect to various people here on EB!

All the best
Thorsten

Edited 18 hours ago by Toastie

[zephyr1934]

Okay, that is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while. The quick transfer intermodal yards are brilliant to begin with, but I never thought I'd see a fully functional one in lego. And so detailed as well. I really like the trucks doing their own thing too. That alone is inspirational. Keep up all the great work!

[Ts__]

11 hours ago, Toastie said:

Did you professional train guys took a look at Interface B at all in the past? I am sure, and I am just asking.

 

I don´t know Interface B. But I’m not a professional model railroader either. When I was a kid, we had a TT layout at my parents’ house that used the analog technology of the time (the 1980s).

I don’t have room for a Lego layout at home: I basically only run trains at the big exhibitions, and at home I just build. And a permanent setup is impractical for me: everything has to be modular so I can transport it to the exhibitions and set it up there.

But the Bliss project needs a control PC, right? (Or a tablet, Chromebook...) It reminds me of BrickTrainAutomation; that project runs on a PC and uses Bluetooth to connect to the LEGO PU Hubs.

 

4 hours ago, zephyr1934 said:

That alone is inspirational. Keep up all the great work!

 

Thank You. You'd have to be crazy to get into something like this^^. Now it's too late to stop....

I knew from the start that this would be a long-term project. But there are some things—especially the overall scale—that I still seriously underestimated.

The main challenges have been resolved; this year, we’ll focus on refining and improving.

 

Thomas