doug72

Thanks for the input - looks like it won’t work. I was hoping to replace this track configuration which use narrow gauge track and flexible hoses. Train unit cannot be altered as its the standard for use on the Lego GBC Train system

Found this on Facebook.

Akiyuki Type 2 train with PF switch for for use GBC Train modules. I know about Trixbrix mention about tight radius but reluctant to buy any until can find out if a fixed wheelbase of 11L will go round the tight curve.

There appears to be two small shock absorbers on the moving legs at bottom of the module, are these two assist with the lift or retard it when descending or are they just acting as sliding guides ? Might have ago at replicating this module but using a linear actuator instead & a reversing unit.

Re Speeding up turntable module: Yes it can be done but it was a tight fit and did not have to move the worm gear axle out 1L. 20T double bevel gear clears the rack OK. Rotation times as previous post at 7.2 secs. for 180º & 3.6 secs for 90º. Tested and rotation with train entering, rotating & departing OK. 12T Gears to engage with t/t & worm gear remain unchanged. IMG_6398 IMG_6399 IMG_6400 IMG_6402 With improved guide beams. IMG_6403

Just timed my t/t and it takes 12 secs for 180º rotation and 6 secs for 90º turn. Speed up may be possible to change the right angle drive from 12/12 to 20/12 step up but would required the drive axle that runs down the side to be moved out by 1L and re-arrange the 12 T bevel gears and the axle supports. The gear rack may need altering a bit a 20T double gear wouldn't foul on the rack or move the side axle out by 2L. This should give 7.2 decs for 180º & 3.6 secs for 90º. I'll give a try later today.

Has anyone had experience of using the R24 curved track by TrixBrix ? https://www.trixbrix.eu/en_US/p/Curved-Track-R24/32 Would a GBC Type 2 train with a fixed wheel base of 11L run on it OK without de-railing ?

Thanks, that makes sense. I have now put your image for the bi-diectional passing module on the list of modules. TrixBrix make R24 standard track curves but do you think a train would run OK on rigid rails ? https://www.trixbrix.eu/en_US/p/Curved-Track-R24/32

Nice super compact & complex layout, took me a while to spot how the pneumatic switch was activated by the long lay shaft from the train dock. I like the scissors lift but like @dunes I am not into pneumatics and don’t have enough parts anyway especially for the compressor I tried earlier to devise a scissors lift to replace the train elevator but couldn’t get the geometry right, might have another try using linear actuators or the new gear racks with housings. re Bi-directional passing module: Works well but seems higher than original version sitting on the 6 x 2 x 2 bricks, to line up with the tight radius curves. Also note you have racks positioned either side of each track to ensure the 8T gears engage OK. I will add a better image of this to the list of train GBC modules. Took me a while but I managed to make a copy yours but with racks positioned on the outside only.

Most of the bugs in the GBC train system have now been sorted out apart from the VERY complex Crane Loader module that uses Ver 1 trains. An alternative solution of lifting ball carrier on & off now devised and working OK. I find a lot of the Akiyuki GBC modules are over complex, use scarce or hard to find parts & are very fiddly to tune. I will stick to Train GBC and come up with further ideas and modules and post them on the Train GBC forum thread. Also I only have a limited number of studded lego parts. Doug72

I gave up trying to build this, its over complicated and always thought the chain would be a weak point. I have now built a swing loader instead that performs the same function of lifting ball carrier off the train & back on again.

Now listed on Lego Shop as retiring soon.

List of Modules, Mods & Improvements & new modules. Two new modules added, see page 1

Now converted my passing loop module to your Passing parallel waiting station. Used “pause” on your video to try and see how it was built. Can be convereted back to a Passing Loop module by the addition of two track switches plus extra track and setting the switch blades to direct trains to pass each other. I'll add this to the list of mods & improvements.

We’re any modifications required ?

Looks realy good, had to watch the video a few times to work out the sequence of trains. How will the balls from the rotary dumper get to the puemstic loader ? Is that Lego double crossover or 3D printed ? TrixBrix do a version with the switches on the outside.

Swing Loader: Improved interrupter gear for setting train release timing. I have now managed to devise a Legal Lego solution using a standard 16T clutch gear and red driving ring to allow easy setting of the train release timing. It was tight squeeze to fit it in and required a 3rd axle in order to get the 3:1 gearing to achieve the overall 72:1 ratio for the train trip rotor. i.e 3 x 24 =72 Axle A: drive to swing loader reverser system. Axles B & D are not connected to each other. Axle C drive to trip rotor via interrupter. Loom bands used for reverser trip (green) & to keep interrupter gear engaged (Yellow) once timing set.

Thanks for that tip, I now have loads of loom bands that my grandchildren were about to get rid off. They are surprisingly strong, very stretchy & powerful although they are only 15mm diam. And cheap at £1 for 300 pce. Tested on my Swing Loader and works great.

Swing GBC Train Loader Completed: Ball input hopper with control gate installed, loads 15 balls per trip.

Thanks, just the loading part to sort out. Running a lot smoother than Ver 1 & appears to be able to reset timing itself if something upsets it, just have to do dummy run back and forth. The double white 24T clutch gears in the final drive to the gear rack slips as ball carrier lands on the train and re-sets the timing. Looking forward to seeing your compact layout and which modules you have used - 60 x 200 cm is a tight space - impossible with standard lego track curves. My proposed GBC train layout in my attic is just over 60cm wide but with up to 4m length - can just squeeze in 1/2 circles of curved track at each end.

Swing Loader MK 2 Improved version. There were several problems with the first version, which now identified and fixed. See video below. Swinging Arm Structure:- The two swing arms with curved racks flexed too much causing the drive gear to skip teeth at each end of rack travel. Stronger cross frames added to each end of the curved gear racks. Counterweight moved onto centre line for better balance. Lifting Frame:- Two 5L beams added to give a slight tilt downward at the entry end to give smoother entry for the ball carrier & to ensure carrier sits down correctly onto the train when loaded with balls. Gearing:- The final 20T double bevel drive gear which engages with the curved gear rack was prone to skip as the axle was only supported on one side. The axle on both sides of the 20T gear are now supported. Timing:- Interrupter gear could not be synchronised with the swing cycle. After careful study determined it took 72 revolutions of the 24T gear driven by the train to swing the arms back and forth for each transfer cycle. With original train reverser with a 24T / worm gear it was impossible using any rotor combination, i.e 4, 3, 2 or 1 lobes to get train to depart on time & prevent out of phase premature train releases as seen in the earlier video. Improved train reverser has a 3:1 gearing reduction stage before the standard 24T/ worm gear for trip rotor. Using a single lobe on the rotor gives the required 72:1 reduction needed to synchronise with the swing arms. This reverses the train while the arms are stationary during the short dwell period after ball carrier is placed back on the train. In order to make timing and synchronising easier I kept the interrupter gear BUT once timing is correctly set it is permanently engaged & locked. To set timing the clutch gear is dis-engaged until the ball carrier is close to landing back onto the train when gear is re-engaged and locked. It took quite a lot of trial & error to set this !! To achieve this the two 16T gears were replaced by 8T / 24T to give the 3:1 ratio using a modified white 24T clutch gear with a red driving ring. 24T Clutch Gear:- This is modified from a white 24T clutch gear with all the internals removed and a 16T driving ring gear pressed into the centre. Used this on a previous builds, I know its non Lego approved, won’t satisfy the purists but it works and should be an official Lego part. Now been tested until batteries ran out after 2 hours. Next stage is to build the ball input hopper and the loading system. Video:

That’s. Not the same as the LDD program I have. BUT on your screen shot where says Step 1 click the small right arrow to move forward to the next step or the left arrow to step backwards. Nope I gave up many moons ago, my modified version is 100% reliable and well proven by @Berthil and several have now been built. Doug

After LDD file loads. Click the building instruction button on right hand side of the top bar, building steps will then be generated.

Click these links that contain the LDD files for various modified modules https://bricksafe.com/pages/dunes https://bricksafe.com/files/dunes/akiyuki-train/ldd/elevator MajklSpajkl.lxf LDD file for the elevator https://bricksafe.com/files/dunes/akiyuki-train/ldd/elevator doug.lxf

Success at last - had a Eureka moment. Mark 2 version with improvements and full synchronisation now built & has been tested for over 1-1/2 hours of continuous running without getting out of sync. Next step build input ball hopper. More info to come.