is there any maglev model trains out in usa
if not how would you feel to have one built
Please post here for your thoughts
thank you
I think that the electrical demand for a maglev model would be too high, then again who knows maybe its worth looking into.
bill
I suppose for a model one could use hidden wheels to give the ilusion of being levitated; afterall, isn’t that what all our models are - an illusion of reality?
However, I never heard of a model of one (but that doesn’t mean too much from me!).
I think a model Maglev would be awesome. That would give a whole other dimension to modeling passenger or commuter service.
I’m not sure about the electrical demands, but I don’t think it would be too high. I wouldn’t think that it wouldn’t require much to make magnets float plastic. And I would also think that this model would be plastic to keep down the costs because you need the special track work as well.
My [2c], I think it would be a great addition to a modern layout.
Speaking of mag lev trains. Do they have wheels? If so what for. What touches the rails to make them move?
This would be much easier explained through pictures (or better video) but unfortunately that can’t be done. I believe the way it works is that the whole bottom of the train is a single magnetic pole…I’ll say S here. The magnets on the tracks are rapidly changing pole…thus the train is attracted to the N poles, but levitated by the S poled magnets.
Correct me if I’m wrong. [#wstupid]
Drumming’s description is as good as this forum allows with just a few sentences. Another way of looking at it might be this analogy: In an induction motor you have a changing electromagnetic field around the armature that causes it to rotate. Now picture the motor flattened out so the electromagnetic field causes the armature (the train) to move linearly.
Since there are no comercial models of a maglev (that I know of), one would have to design and build his own system, which probably is beyond us home hobbyists; but nevertheless, a working model would be cool!
Take a look at this,
I hope this helps a bit.
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461527204_761579465_-1_1/Magnetic_Levitation_Train.html
http://encarta.msn.com/media_461518098_761574008_-1_1/Levitating_Magnet.html
revell had a plastic kit of a maglev out a couple of years ago. i dont know if you can still get it. it would make an interesting motorising project. you could easily hide a moedl bus mechanism inside it. the track would be quite a challenge to do. there are numerous different styles of switches and the shole lot would have to be scratch built.
Peter
The last I heard, experiments with the real Mag-Lev train in Japan have been halted because of the prohibitive cost involved and technical difficulties in getting it to work; and I think Japan was the only country that was still experimenting with the concept.
I’ve encountered a web site for a maglev model train set by Future Horizons, Inc. It’s at www.futurehorizons.net, and look for a link “anti-gravity” to click on. Future Horizons is headquartered in Marquette MI.
If anyone can further let us know what the Construction Plans, Kit and Plans, and Ready to Use sets contain and what their specifications are, please let us know. I contacted Future Horizons with my query and have received no reply. I even invited its staff to bring its train set for a demonstration to a local rail fair.