Introduction of a new railway system and its basic layout

Instructions are available here Here, I present a new railway system that consists of several components such as a train, a track, a reverse module, a loader module, and an unloader module. The power source of all the components is an electrical motor installed in each train. The motor is controlled by an on-off power switch, instead of a microcomputer. The power required for the motor is supplied from a battery on the train. The train carries a container with basket balls and soccer balls. The loading unit feeds the balls into the container, while the unloading unit empties the balls from the container. The railway system has a GBC (Great Ball Contraption) interface, and it can be connected to the GBC through the interface.

This video shows the new railway system, its basic unit, and the minimum layout. This minimum layout consists of one train, a straight track, a loader module, and an unloader module. The train shuttles between the loader module and the unloader module, and the balls are transferred from the loader module to the unloader module.

The former railway system, i.e., the Train Module (mechanical) released in 2011 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84Cxzg3yb3g), was also automatically driven by a motor on the train. The limitations of the former railway system were investigated, and I developed a new railway system that addresses these limitations. The concepts used in constructing the new railway system are as follows: The system displays sufficient reliability The train has a symmetrical and reversible structure The common parts of the system are modularized The system displays sufficient reliability In the former railway system, the direction of the train was changed by a mechanical clutch, which resulted in a problem. Because the clutch returns to the neutral position by itself, the train stops. In the new system, the direction of the train is changed by an electrical switch that consists of bricks with an electric point of contact. Although mechanically unattractive, the clutch does not return to the neutral position by itself. To improve the reliability of the train, the frame is constructed with stud-less parts so that the new train does not break. Former type (2011)

New type (2018)

The train has a symmetrical and reversible structure The mechanical structure of the train is symmetrical and has no anteroposterior distinction. Thus, both ends of the train can be used as head approaching system units such as a loading unit. Consequently, a layout area, which is needed for direction conversion, can be made smaller, for a more concentrated layout. Other characteristics of the train include potentiality for direction conversion unit and four-wheel drive.

The common parts of the system are modularized Common parts of the loading unit, unloading unit, and other units are modularized. When building a new unit, the module to common parts of the unit.