PlaymoFriends
General => Trains! => Topic started by: playmofire on June 18, 2017, 18:32:29
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As I'm thinking of an automatic shuttle layout, Walter Turner very kindly loaned me a Playmobil shuttle unit to try and as these are rare items, I thought I'd post some photos here.
The units were used in shops to operate a shuttle train from end of a length of display track to another. Whether they were also available to the general public, I don't know but I'm sure Walter can provide the answer.
Like the LGB version, the electrics (at this date not really electronics) were fitted into a buffer stop. The first photo shows this. There were two versions of the buffer stop, the first being an open-framed one, a later one having closed sides. The shuttle unit uses the earlier open-sided version, but the sides are "filled in" by the cardboard casing housing the electrics.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/External%20view.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/External%20view.jpg.html)
Inside the cardboard cover are the electrics, plus in this case following long storage a dead spider rear left.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Inside%20view.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Inside%20view.jpg.html)
Here's a closer view, which also shows the date of manufacture, 29th August, 1984.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Inside%20close-up.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Inside%20close-up.jpg.html)
At this point, I'll create the thread just to see all is working.
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Well, all is working, so I'll continue if you're sitting comfortably.
The unit has two pairs of blue and red wires coming from it. One pair goes to the controller and one pair to the track. You find out which is which by trial and error. I added labels to each pair so trial and error was only necessary once. (In fact, I got them right first time, but purely by luck and not electrical skill.)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Wires%20to%20controller.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Wires%20to%20controller.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/DSCF0948.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/DSCF0948.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Wires%20to%20track.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Wires%20to%20track.jpg.html)
For connection to the track, I used a block connector between the wires from the shuttle unit to the end of the wires from a pair of track power terminals:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/DSCF0949.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/DSCF0949.jpg.html)
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The unit uses the usual system of a diode towards each end of the shuttle line and a split rail. The split side of the rail must be on the same side of the track at each end.
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Diode%201.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Diode%201.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Diode%202.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Diode%202.jpg.html)
At each end of the shuttle line, you need to make sure that there is enough length of line between the split track and the buffers for the train to stop short of the buffer:
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Rolling%20stock%20end.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Rolling%20stock%20end.jpg.html)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Loco%20end.jpg) (http://s704.photobucket.com/user/playmofire/media/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/Loco%20end.jpg.html)
And you need to remember, too, that the length of track between the split track and the buffers at the end of the shuttle line where the rolling stock is leading needs to be long enough to accommodate the maximum length of the train.
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The whole system is quite basic, for example, there is no means to adjust the pause time at each end of the shuttle, but works very effectively as you can see:
http://vid704.photobucket.com/albums/ww48/playmofire/Playmobil/Playmobil%20shuttle/DSCF0955.mp4
I hope you found this interesting and thank you for your time in reading this topic.
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Oh that's wonderful Gordon! I wish this sort of thing we're more common. I would guess there are units out there commercially available for use with G gauge trains? Still an actual Playmo one is great to see.
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Oh that's wonderful Gordon! I wish this sort of thing we're more common. I would guess there are units out there commercially available for use with G gauge trains? Still an actual Playmo one is great to see.
Thanks, Tim.
There are commercially available units, some very sophisticated.
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LGB made a couple of units. The simplest is the LGB 901031. They also made one that fits in a bumper and a much more sophisticated one that slows the train down as it nears the end. All these work with playmobil trains as they are not integrated into the LGB MCS / DCS system. The MCS/DCS systems have reserving loop systems as well.
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I couldn't get your video link to work, playmofire!
Thanks for a glimpse of a part of the PM world of which I am totally ignorant!
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I couldn't get your video link to work, playmofire!
Thanks for a glimpse of a part of the PM world of which I am totally ignorant!
It wouldn't work for me either when I tried it after reading your post so I've reloaded the link and it now works once more.
This is one of the many problems with using Photobucket, you can never be sure it will work. I suspect that much of the time it appears not to work because the site is so busy loading all the entirely irrelevant adverts it plasters your albums with unless you're willing to pay $2.99 a month to get rid of them. What Photobucket don't understand is that if you're going to get people to pay to use your site the free version has to be half decent too.
As for me, I use Photobucket so little because it's so bad I can't be bothered to move everything elsewhere.
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So eine Pendelsteuerung ist klasse! Das Video geht bloß leider (wieder?) nicht >:(. Erkennt die Steuerung, wann der Zug den Halteabschnitt erreicht hat? Oder polt sie`immer nach einer fest eingestellt Zeit um?
Shuttel units really are great! Just the vid's failing ???. Would the electric detect wether the train has reached the other end or does it reverse according to a fixed time scheme?
jj:
P.S.
At this point, I'll create the thread just to see all is working.
I daresay the spider isn't doing too well any more... ::) die Aktivität Spinne läßt ein wenig zu wünschen übrig.
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So eine Pendelsteuerung ist klasse! Das Video geht bloß leider (wieder?) nicht >:(. Erkennt die Steuerung, wann der Zug den Halteabschnitt erreicht hat? Oder polt sie`immer nach einer fest eingestellt Zeit um?
Shuttel units really are great! Just the vid's failing ???.
Is it still not working? It works for me, but then I am the account holder on photobucket, but I have made it public so it should work here too. I'll try again with it.
Would the electric detect wether the train has reached the other end or does it reverse according to a fixed time scheme?
The system is very basic. When the pickups on the loco cross the split track, it stops and there is hen a click as the diode reverses the current and the loco then restarts in the opposite direction. There is no means to alter the length of time the loco is stationary.
jj:
P.S.I daresay the spider isn't doing too well any more... ::) die Aktivität Spinne läßt ein wenig zu wünschen übrig.
He certainly isn't!
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I'm not having much luck with photobucket. For some people the video link works and for others not, and I can't make out why. Th alternative is to embed an image which takes you to the video when you click on it. However, photobucket is such a cumbersome site with loads of intrusive ads and the video is so jerky viewed on it that it isn't worth it I'm afraid.
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Was den Photokübel betrifft würd ich sagen: Der Brexit läßt grüßen :lol: . Was passiert, wenn die Fahrstrecke verlängert wird? Bleibt die Standzeit gleich? Oder wird sie in dem Maß kürzer, in dem sich die Fahrzeit verlängert?
As to the photo bucket: I fear that's Brexit ::).
What if you extended the distance between the end tracks by a couple of tracks? Would the waiting time still be the same? Or would it shorten by the time the ride is prolonged?
jj:
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Was den Photokübel betrifft würd ich sagen: Der Brexit läßt grüßen :lol: . Was passiert, wenn die Fahrstrecke verlängert wird? Bleibt die Standzeit gleich? Oder wird sie in dem Maß kürzer, in dem sich die Fahrzeit verlängert?
As to the photo bucket: I fear that's Brexit ::).
What if you extended the distance between the end tracks by a couple of tracks? Would the waiting time still be the same? Or would it shorten by the time the ride is prolonged?
jj:
No, the waiting time is the same whatever the length of the track, although with a very short length of track I believe that the system might not work properly.
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Gordon you could either put the file on a YouTube account, or if you want to email it to me I could host it at my site.
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Gordon you could either put the file on a YouTube account, or if you want to email it to me I could host it at my site.
Thank you for the kind offer, Tim. I will email it to you rather than open another account with another password to remember! PM me your email address and I'll do it asap.
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No, the waiting time is the same whatever the length of the track, although with a very short length of track I believe that the system might not work properly.
Splendid. That's at least on of the better eletronics. It allows you flexible track lengths and speeds.
Ziemlich gut. Das ist dann schon eine der besseren Versionen, die dir auch unterschiedliche Streckenlängen und Fahrgeschwindigkeiten erlaubt.
jj:
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Splendid. That's at least on of the better eletronics. It allows you flexible track lengths and speeds.
Ziemlich gut. Das ist dann schon eine der besseren Versionen, die dir auch unterschiedliche Streckenlängen und Fahrgeschwindigkeiten erlaubt.
jj:
Yes, you can set your own speed, but it needs to be slow enough for the electrics to respond before it reaches the other end.
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However, photobucket is such a cumbersome site with loads of intrusive ads and the video is so jerky viewed on it that it isn't worth it I'm afraid.
Ha! Only a little better when on a subscription. My bugbear is how long it takes recent uploads to actually appear in the Library. I'm glad Tiermann can help out with the video. :wave:
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Here we go, a link to Gordon's video that should work
http://animobil.info/playmo/In%20action.MOV (http://animobil.info/playmo/In%20action.MOV)
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Amazing the effords people make just to see a loco shutteling in front of a radiator... ::) - schon faszinierend, welchen Aufwand manche machen, nur um eine Lok vor einem Heizkörper pendeln zu sehen 8-). Aber...
...es schaut ja schon irgendwie nett aus! Danke für die Mühe! :) But it DOES look lovely. Thanks for that!
jj:
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It's something different from seeing them go around in circles at least. :D
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Thanks for getting that video working, Tiermann. It does illustrate well what you described, playmofire and it's easy to see how that setup could be useful (with a longer track and different scenery!) for a shop display or other display where you want the trains to move about automatically.
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The thing I find most potentially useful about it is the linear nature. It takes a wide space to have enough room to turn a G gauge train around in a circle. Sometimes you only have a narrower space available. This would allow train movement on a layout along a wall or with only a single curve through a corner. It greatly expands the possible layout options for events or home use.
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Amazing the effords people make just to see a loco shutteling in front of a radiator... ::) - schon faszinierend, welchen Aufwand manche machen, nur um eine Lok vor einem Heizkörper pendeln zu sehen 8-). Aber...
...es schaut ja schon irgendwie nett aus! Danke für die Mühe! :) But it DOES look lovely. Thanks for that!
jj:
Ah, but it's a very nice radiator! :)
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Many thanks for your help, Tim. :wave:
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My idea is to have a layout in the garage running down one wall. This will be about 25 feet or so and will be on top of an old set of kitchen units and some shelving, so I have 18 inches to two feet width to work with.
I plan to make some basic scenery on a low relief basis which will also allow room for some low relief Playmobil buildings.
To provide some variation, there will be a run-around included so that the train will run on a straight line in one direction but will go round the run-around on the way back. There will be an island platform in the run-around and, hoepfully, a station stop set up.
There will be suitable buildings and platforms at either end, too.
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That sounds like a great plan Gordon!
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Ah, but it's a very nice radiator! :)
It definitely is 8-).
jj:
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[off topic comment]
It's disappointing how often one sees beautiful or useful items in eBay listing pictures (like tables, tablecloths, rugs, furniture, carpets, radiators, coats, toys, crockery, etc.), only to find when you win the auction they were not included . :(
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[off topic comment]
It's disappointing how often one sees beautiful or useful items in eBay listing pictures (like tables, tablecloths, rugs, furniture, carpets, radiators, coats, toys, crockery, etc.), only to find when you win the auction they were not included . :(
Good one, Graham! :lol:
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Let allone all those pretty lasses... it's always just that rubbish stuff 'round their necks or wrist but never them... :P
jj:
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Yep, human trafficking isn't allowed under eBay's rules.
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They made a test some couple of years ago in Germany offering four identical candle sticks worth about 5€ each. One just picturelessly described, one shown on a sloppy picture, one neatly presented and the fourth presented by a stunningly pretty woman (who explicetly wasn't even the one to personally pick the item from if required). Amazingly enough the neatly presented candle stick was purchased for about ten time its real prize. But the one presented by the woman won far more than 100€...
Vor ein paar Jahren gab's einen Versuch in Deutschland, bei dem ein billiger Kerzenständer für ca. 5 € angeboten wurde. Mal nur mit Beschreibung, mal mit einem billigen Bild, einmal hübsch dekoriert und schließlich in den Händen einer hübschen Frau (die explizit nicht einmal zugegen sein würde, falls man das Teil persönlich abholen wollte). Nicht nur, daß der hübsch dekorierte ungefähr für das Zehnfache seines Wertes über die Theke ging, der in den Händen der Frau erbrachte weit über 100€... ::)
jj: