Fx Bricks (Michael Gale) announces Fx Track system

[SD100]

@Ashi Valkoinen

Would you be willing to share a breakdown of your mechanism? I've got some of the switches and I've been searching for a way to motorize them, but haven't been able to come up with anything that low profile yet...

Thanks,

SD

[Ashi Valkoinen]

13 hours ago, SD100 said:

@Ashi Valkoinen

Would you be willing to share a breakdown of your mechanism? I've got some of the switches and I've been searching for a way to motorize them, but haven't been able to come up with anything that low profile yet...

Thanks,

SD

I'll share it soon as I'm progressing with the building of my station. There is a topik linked in my signature which I use to share all my MOCs, I'll post it there mid-February, based on the experiences collected at the event held 10th-11th of February.

[dtomsen]

On 11/9/2023 at 3:34 AM, dtomsen said:

My attempt at ballasting the P40 switch. It's a tough nut to crack but it's possible to do it nicely 



If using one layer of plates for the ballast instead of two like mine, Michael Gale's own solution is still the better choice tho.

Structural building render:

205 parts excluding P40 switch and ties

Edited January 18 by dtomsen

[Ludo]

Hi,

I just posted some pictures on my Flickr account of the P40 Left hand switch.

The gap in the module is to place a servo motor in it to command the switch.

The commandbar extention use a Technic Plate 1x6 (4262) and a Technic plate 1x4 (4263) placed on a tile 1x8.

Eventually, this can be replaced with a Technic Rack 1x8 (6630) or a Technic Rack 1x10 (6592) placed upside down.

One end connects to the switch with a Technic Pin 1/2 (4274), on the other side I placed a Technic Gear 12 Tooth Double Bevel (32270) to command the Technic Gear Rack.

 

I notice some mechanical stress when placing the ballasted switch to the MILS module. 

See here the principle of the command bar extention using the Technic Gear Rack.

 

[Ashi Valkoinen]

Finally I made a single R104 turnout using FX P40left switch and two pieces of FX R104 track. As peviously told, the incorrect alignment for this setup is so small, that the full R104 turnout can work and it is not necessary to use the tight R64P return curves. Of course, the track joints are little stressed, as they are not fully connected, but since tracks built in Holger-curves survived over a decade, I don't think it may damage the joints on long term.

20240204_115858 by Donát Raáb, on Flickr

[Arlo]

This system looks very interesting.  My trains run in an area where I need to get on a stepladder to change their batteries.  So, i'm very interested in using FxTrack to create a hybrid system, where my trains still run on batteries, but use a power pickup to recharge them from sections of the track that are FxTrack.  The holdup, of course, is that it looks like I have to either wait for FxBricks to make a power pickup or else build them myself.  Was looking at this guide for DIY Custom Power Pickups, but you need to find these particular size O-guage wheels which I've been unable to find, along with some other hard to find parts, and then you need a lathe to make a custom bushing!  So, not terribly likely.  

I guess FxTrack is currently only useful for people who currently have lego 9v trains with old metal rails.   I'll be waiting anxiously for a power pickup!  

[Phil B]

1 hour ago, Arlo said:

This system looks very interesting.  My trains run in an area where I need to get on a stepladder to change their batteries.  So, i'm very interested in using FxTrack to create a hybrid system, where my trains still run on batteries, but use a power pickup to recharge them from sections of the track that are FxTrack.  The holdup, of course, is that it looks like I have to either wait for FxBricks to make a power pickup or else build them myself.  Was looking at this guide for DIY Custom Power Pickups, but you need to find these particular size O-guage wheels which I've been unable to find, along with some other hard to find parts, and then you need a lathe to make a custom bushing!  So, not terribly likely.  

I guess FxTrack is currently only useful for people who currently have lego 9v trains with old metal rails.   I'll be waiting anxiously for a power pickup!  

I haven't done this myself, but you should be able to buy a broken 9V train motor, remove the innards, and use it to bring power to your PoweredUp/PowerFunctions batteries. There are guides on how to do this, but if you have even just a smidge of electrical engineering knowledge, this should be fairly easy to do.

[Luxibricks]

I'm building MILS Modules with automated P 40 switches. Is there a manual for ballasting available for R64 curves?

[Ludo]

12 minutes ago, Luxibricks said:

I'm building MILS Modules with automated P 40 switches. Is there a manual for ballasting available for R64 curves?

Hi,

I based my balasting on the one from Dennis Tomsen 

Note that this is for MODUVERSE, 1 plate higher than the MILS modules from L_Gauge.org

Top side

and 

Bottom Side

for the L-Gauge 'system' see my backside here:

I recomment the use of the 'plate 1x2 with door rail' as you can see in my picture to prevent the 'Plate 1x8 with door rail' to pop off.

Some of my R64P curves got the problem that certain  'Plate 1x8 with door rail' where popping up , others not.

By replacing them by 'Plate 1x2 with door rail' could I prevent this 'problem'.

 

 

[Luxibricks]

Thanks @Ludo for the instructions.

Here is the final result, 2 72 studs long MILS modules, each with a PU Hub, a L motor and a color/distance sensor. Everything will be controlled with BAP.

@michaelgale Are there any news concerning the release of R120 / R136 / R152 ?

 

[Modeltrainman]

@michaelgale, is there any update on the track leads/pickup wires?

[Luxibricks]

Should I start to be worried, as there are no news concerning the release of the new products, @michaelgale told me in November that that R120 / R136 / R152 will be released very quickly.

On the other side, I see that over here in Europe and in north America most of the existing products are sold out since month. Does that mean, that there are to many orders, or is nothing coming from Hong-Kong anymore?

[Andalo_an]

I suspect we'll get some updates next week at Brickworld.

[M_slug357]

Who’s going to Brickworld? Get we get a rundown if @michaelgale does decide to do a presentation?

[C-Brick]

If anyone sees Michael there, can you ask him about 9V cable availability? I am working on a mainly 3dprinted monorail motor, and would like to use a 9v connector like the original and haven't really been able to make a good female 9V connector myself without using old 9v plates. If he sells cables on their own, that might work better depending on how the are made. I know he said it inlcudes a pcb but more information would be apreciated. 

Thanks

[dtomsen]

Huge number of great news from Fx Bricks in the latest 2024 Update 

[Stereo]

Pretty comprehensive update, only leaves me with a couple questions:

- is the PCB in the connectors just a way to connect the wires to the studs, or is it doing some 'smart' things that won't be a direct equivalent for Lego wires?

- is there something planned inside this system to let multiple trains control independently on the same powered rails (the motor diagram seems to have internal switches around the motor, and systems like DCC can run through track power) or will that still be easiest with PF/PU remote controls?

Edited June 9 by Stereo

[Narissis]

29 minutes ago, Stereo said:

Pretty comprehensive update, only leaves me with a couple questions:

- is the PCB in the connectors just a way to connect the wires to the studs, or is it doing some 'smart' things that won't be a direct equivalent for Lego wires?

- is there something planned inside this system to let multiple trains control independently on the same powered rails (the motor diagram seems to have internal switches around the motor, and systems like DCC can run through track power) or will that still be easiest with PF/PU remote controls?

I'm not sure about the PCB but I can tackle the other question based on my conversations with Michael last summer at Bricks in the Six.

The intent is for the motor bogie to come in two versions.

The cheaper version, the 'dumb' motor, will have contacts on two sides. One will be a direct pass-through from the track to the contacts, and the other will be a motor input. There will be a jumper (or perhaps a switch in the final version, as suggested by the drawings) on the motor that bridges these out of the box so it'll work like a standard 9V motor (but supporting up to 12V as implied by the power components illustrated in the update), but if the jumper is removed you will be able to put your choice of control solution between the track output and the motor input on the bogie. That could theoretically be FX's own PFx Brick, a Power Functions IR receiver, or some other third-party solution.

The fancier version, the 'smart' motor, will integrate the PFx Brick electronics directly into the motor housing so you'll have that control functionality as a turnkey solution. Obviously this version of the motor will be priced higher.

Obviously all that is subject to change as product development continues, but this was the understanding I left that event with. There was also some talk of maybe having standardized DCC support in a future motor project, but I think that's a bit beyond the initial scope. Could become an option on the 'smart' motor, or maybe be added as a third motor variant. Could end up on the cutting room floor. Time will tell!

Edited June 9 by Narissis

[Stereo]

Thanks!  As usual everything thought through to make the most useful products.

[Ropefish]

Nice to see an update I defo want some of that R120 and I can’t wait to see the 9v power system fully realized!

[Pelzer117]

Yes! Finally Fx Power is on the Horizon.

Just One thought to the metal wheel set. How good will it roll compared to wheels with bearings? Or would it be an idea for Fx to include bearings in this wheel set?

[Barduck]

Great update, I just hope this will also mean that the EU reseller will get some more stock as I’ve been trying to get my hands on some r104’s for months now, so badly even that I’m printing my own

[Brickblock1]

Exciting update, I am looking forward to these becoming avaliable. 
I would however prefer if the powersupply part of the speed regulator had an always on blue connector similar to the old prototype speed regulator (see image). I do however understand if it would be too late to change that at this point. 

[BatteryPoweredBricks]

11 hours ago, dtomsen said:

Huge number of great news from Fx Bricks in the latest 2024 Update 

I'm really excited for the electronic offerings.  I love the modular approach for the speed regulator.  I have a fair amount of 9v track so I've never been able to justify the cost of FX track.  But the electronics stuff... I NEED all of it .  Anyone who knows of my work knows my obsession with custom Lego control panels .

Very excited to see previews of these products, hoping the track contacts will be less than $50 which is what degraded ones on eBay go for .

 

[Jeffinslaw]

7 hours ago, Pelzer117 said:

Yes! Finally Fx Power is on the Horizon.

Just One thought to the metal wheel set. How good will it roll compared to wheels with bearings? Or would it be an idea for Fx to include bearings in this wheel set?

I have been working on exactly this. It has taken a back seat to other things from my business such as instructions and getting injection molded accessories for custom minifigures done but the custom power pickup wheel sets will be next. 

I discussed this with Michael Gale last year at BrickWorld and he thought it was great as it provides another option and doesn't clash with his product. If you want to see more.