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AlmightyArjen

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Everything posted by AlmightyArjen

  1. AlmightyArjen
    This is just wow! So many details, very well designed!
  2. AlmightyArjen
    That is one awesome design, nice job! A bit too big though ;) Thanks for the link though, maybe I can get some ideas from your layout.
  3. AlmightyArjen
    Cool! Good luck with your design!
  4. AlmightyArjen
    Hey everyone, The people who know me know that I do always stuff with Lego trains. While I'm designing a fully automated container terminal, I want to upload some non-train related animated episodes. Since some of the scenes will take place on the surface of Mars, I need to build a Martian surface display. But I lack time and eye for detail so I came up with the idea of making an LDD design contest of it. If you are interested in participating, have a look at the video below!
  5. AlmightyArjen
    Yes she was a weekend gone with friends so I took my chance :) I keep all of my setst built so it was only a matter of placing them after we had laid down the track. It took 1,5 day for two persons to set it all up. I shot the video for a couple of hours and then put everything back to the attic. There were 7 loops and two tracks on which a train automatically stopped at a station at both ends. Some of the 7 loops were crossing each other. These crossings were automated too so in theory I didn't have to do anything. Ofcourse so now and then a train derailed for whatever reason.
  6. AlmightyArjen
    Yes it is! I liked the design of it so I stole it, haha. Both trains that run up the bridge have both 2 motors, so in total 4 motor drawing maximum current: this was too much for a 9V regulator so I had to use a 12V regulator which can deliver more power. For the lights in the trains: I've put a huge capacitor pack in the locomotive that makes sure that the lights don't dim in case of short power surges (which occur a lot in the 9V system during short periods of bad connection between the track and the wheels). The lighting draws a lot of power and to make the lights stay on during a stop I'll need way more capacitors. I was thinking about a capacitor pack per wagon instead of one pack in the locomotive. Or maybe switch to a lithium battery that is charged when the train is running. Haha, not all of my videos end with a crash ;)
  7. AlmightyArjen
    Hi all, A new video of my biggest layout so far is online. It has a huge bridge in the middle and has 9 trains running at the same time. Enjoy :)
  8. AlmightyArjen
    I'm not going in detail about the costs but I needed about 100 Bricklink orders to get all the bricks...
  9. AlmightyArjen
    If you want to do real automation like I do, the 9V system is the better candidate. Example: you want to automate a rail crossing. That means that you have to stop one train to let the other pass. If you have multiple trains running on the same track where the train needs to stop in front of the crossing, you have to find out to which train you need to send the stop-signal (for example by RFID). Plus an extra sensor to detect the train close to the crossing. When using the 9V system, you just cut the power from the rails (isolated track segment (that is controlled by an arduino using an L293D motor driver)) and a train that arrives at the crossing stops by itself because it's no longer powered from the rails. Just an example of many. You can find the above described situation in more detail in this video: Think about what you want to achieve with your automation in detail and write down the pros and cons of each system.
  10. AlmightyArjen
    Wow nice work! I design my own electronics for my automation projects but this is really great stuff! This gives everyone the ability to automate their layouts, very nice!
  11. AlmightyArjen
    We've already had the winter train so I assume we'll have to wait a while for another creator train.
  12. AlmightyArjen
    Thanks for the positive comments! I've thought about it yes, but the commissioning of a layout like in the video takes a lot of time, like 40 hours or so which is too long. I could scale it down a bit, with for example two side tracks instead of six which makes everything a bit more easy. But shows aren't my cup of tea: standing there while people have a look at my layout, not really my thing ;)
  13. AlmightyArjen
    Hey, A few years back I set up a layout which consisted of one big loop with a couple of side tracks where trains can be parked. So multiple trains were running on the same loop. This system had a central controller and the downside of this was that a lot of times the system had to wait for a train to come in or there were only two trains at the maximum running around. This time I've made a system with six side tracks and every side track has its own controller. So the choice wether to park a train on the side track or not is done locally based on a few variables like distance with the previous train and how long the side track was not occupied. A video says more than words so enjoy :)
  14. AlmightyArjen
    I love it, looks amazing, well done!
  15. AlmightyArjen
    haha, thanks
  16. AlmightyArjen
    For the ones interested: I've uploaded an extra footage video with only 4K drone footage.
  17. AlmightyArjen
    I've lived there for a few years, but decided to go back to the Netherlands. Still miss it every day haha
  18. AlmightyArjen
    I used a DJI Mavic Pro drone. It has a object tracking function. So I got the drone in the air and let it track me, very handy functionality :)
  19. AlmightyArjen
    Thanks for the nice reactions! I intentionally used alkaline batteries since those do a bit bitter with low temperatures. After an hour the train began having trouble going up hill which was a bit fast so temperature was definitely an issue. I brought a spare battery box with me so the problem was solved quite easily. The train stops automatically at the stations. I've designed it like this so I had my hands free for shooting the drone footage. Under the train is a reed switch and close to the stations are magnets between the rails. The train is controlled by an Arduino, using the reed switch as an input to know when to stop the train and to go into the other direction. Normally I work with IR sensors but I was afraid that those sensors would be "blinded" by the huge amount of light present at that altitude (clear sky, white snow...)
  20. AlmightyArjen
    I thought it was time to do something else. I've combined my two passions: Lego trains and mountaineering. The result: awesome footage of the classic Metroliner in an alpine environment :D Images say more than words, enjoy ;)
  21. AlmightyArjen
    And the fails video is online :D
  22. AlmightyArjen
    Amazing details, well done!
  23. AlmightyArjen
    No, not a particular reason. Both connections are parallel to each other. I used the one closest to the display. That should have been the I2C_DISPLAY connection, it's a little flaw in the PCB design. I didn't have many collisions but I'll upload a fail video next week, I'll post it here as well :)
  24. AlmightyArjen
    Hey all, I'm working on a big automation project and I needed some automated rail crossings for that. This was already a project on itself which I like to share with you. I work with the 9V system and make trains stop by disabling isolated segments in the rails. That princicple is also used in the automated rail crossing. The crossing is controlled by a printed circuit board which I have designed myself. The PCB is multifunctional and can control two single crossings or one double crossing. This means that the board has two connections for sensors, two connections for signals and two connections for isolated track segments. Printed Circuit Board The heart of the system is stand alone Arduino chip. When the sensor is triggered by a train that is passing by, the non-priority track is disabled and the concerning signal is put to red. As long as the train triggers the sensor, the non-priority track remains disabled. When the train has cleared the sensor, a timer is started to make sure the train has left the crossing before the non-priority track is enabled again. This timer is adjustable by means of an adjustable resistor. Since the PCB can control two crossings, it contains also two adjustable resistors. The value of the delays is displayed on a 4-digit display. This way the system is flexible and can cope with slower or faster trains. Sensor Ofcourse you want to see the thing in action, so I also made a video. In this layout a double crossing is controlled by the PCB.
  25. AlmightyArjen
    Then you should support my Ideas project :D https://ideas.lego.com/projects/159676
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