Dustin, the storm grates and line painting looks great! Yes i remember when Pennsylvania changed from all white to white and yellow. I didn't look it up, but I would guess early '70s, about the time I started driving.
I agree the sewers are a great addition that adds to the roadway effect.
good morning feizzinbee
i don't know if this will work but on the ramp going up instead of sand paper that may or may not sand the tire smooth and loose traction you may try using the paint that you use for the road and mix some sand in it to make a little rougher just use it where the tires will be not where the steering arm will be may not ware the tires just a thought
kevin
A better way is to laser cut living hinges into the roadway. This will produce a more gradual slope and provide slight cuts for traction.
Good suggestions both on curving the roadway and sanding the paint. Kevin, I hadn’t considered that... but I’m not sure I could get as fine a grit in sanded paint as I did with the paper. I used something like 400 grit paper so it’s just enough, and hopefully won’t tear into the tires too bad. Alan, curving the road was my fallback plan if the simple ramp didn’t work. Of a bigger concern than the slope was whether the car would bottom out when going over the (sharp) crest of the hill... so far it seems ok, so long as my wheelbase isn’t too long nor the car too low.
The video attached represents my progress as of a couple days ago. The cars now stop for gas and complete the full circuit nicely. Since this video was taken I’ve gotten more buildings connected to power, added a few details, and have the lights on that police car going 
. More progress pics to come.
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Here’s another video:
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Very nice job, Dustin!!
very nice looking great
kevin
Outstanding.
that is just too cool. Love them stopping at the gas station.
This is so cool that I might rip up all my 3-rail and build a roadway instead of a railway 
The gas station stop is automated so that the second car bypasses the station? WOW!
Bob
Great work, Dustin. We really miss you guys.
@AGHRMatt posted:Great work, Dustin. We really miss you guys.
We miss you guys too, Matt! Running trains with everyone at the club was good times!
@RSJB18 posted:This is so cool that I might rip up all my 3-rail and build a roadway instead of a railway
The gas station stop is automated so that the second car bypasses the station? WOW!
Bob
Yes, it's a pretty slick set-up that is sold by AutomotionFX as a gas station kit. The entry switch/turnout detects an approaching car and diverts it to the gas station path, and then a stop section holds the car in place for a predetermined amount of time (which is adjustable) before releasing it. The switch is set up such that no other cars enter the gas station until the one at the stop sections is released. A merge piece at the gas station exit allows the car to re-enter the flow of traffic when it leaves after a "fill-up"
The entry switch/turnout consists of a fist sensor, a solenoid controlling the switch, and a second sensor. The stop section consists of a strong magnet connected to a rotating arm, which normally sits well below the track surface. This magnet is rotated into place just below the road surface, on the passenger side of the car, when the stop section is activated. Both pieces (the turnout and the stop) are controlled by a small logic module (which even has handy holes for mounting it under the layout surface) & the logic box has a small screw (25-step potentiometer) for adjusting the stop duration.
(1) When an approaching car passes the first sensor, the solenoid fires and diverts the wire guide toward the gas station. It simultaneously also engages a magnet in the stop section, which which will stay active for a time duration set by the user.
(2) When the car passes the second sensor, the solenoid is deactivated and the road reset to the nominal route, preventing any other cars from following the first into the gas station for the duration of the stop
(3) When the car arrives at the stop section, the engaged magnet activates a magnetic reed switch inside the car, causing the car's motor to stop and "pausing" the car
(4) When the timer expires, the magnet disengages (i.e. rotates away from the road surface and farther below the layout) and the car is released to rejoin the main road. The turnout is then free to route the next car to the gas station.
As you can imagine, there are also other applications for this type of set-up - including having cars pause when merging into a roadway (via a stop control kit), having cars change lanes (or alternate lanes/paths), etc, that are already offered by AutomotionFX. Looking into the future, it's not hard to imagine that with the proper logic box, and enough sequenced magnets, you could even have the cars queue up at red lights!
@frizzinbee posted:As you can imagine, there are also other applications for this type of set-up - including having cars pause when merging into a roadway (via a stop control kit), having cars change lanes (or alternate lanes/paths), etc, that are already offered by AutomotionFX. Looking into the future, it's not hard to imagine that with the proper logic box, and enough sequenced magnets, you could even have the cars queue up at red lights!
Again, excellent Dustin! As I read, I was thinking of several scenarios. A taxi or bus stop, The red light or stop sign scenario is definitely one that would be great!
@RSJB18 posted:This is so cool that I might rip up all my 3-rail and build a roadway instead of a railway
Bob, it reminds me of the old Eldon slot cars we had as kids. I still have the power pack, but my younger brother broke the pistol grip controllers and cars. Mum threw them out, but I salvaged the power pack for train lighting and have never used it in 50 years since.
Hey frizzenbee,
Did you get all your stuff from Automotion? I can't see more than 6 cars on their web site and there's no gas station to look at, no extra stop/pause explanation and stuff.
How long in inches are the cars you got. I'm thinking of getting on or two O gauge but they may be to big for my smaller layout and of course I may go with the S scale ones, but what's the size. Also, any wire as long as it's magnetic?
Thanks,
Mike
@Mike23 posted:Did you get all your stuff from Automotion? I can't see more than 6 cars on their web site and there's no gas station to look at, no extra stop/pause explanation and stuff.
How long in inches are the cars you got. I'm thinking of getting on or two O gauge but they may be to big for my smaller layout and of course I may go with the S scale ones, but what's the size. Also, any wire as long as it's magnetic?
Mike,
Apologies for the long delay in replying to you - I haven't checked this thread in a while! You have likely gotten your answers elsewhere but I'll reply here just in case. Yes, all my cars, wired roadway, and gas station kit (turnouts, sensor, and stop sections) came from AutomotionFx. From what I understand, he sells the cars about as fast as he can make them, so your best bet is to email him and see what his has to offer or what he can build for you. Same goes for the turnouts and gas station kit - he may have some, or be able to pull a kit together, if you reach out and ask. They are great to work with and very responsive.
At least 2 of the 3 cars I have are 1:43 scale... the Mustang (the longest of the three) is about 3.5" long. It can handle the tightest "1:43 O scale" curves they offer (O-11), but barely. The shorter 1:43 cars handle these curves with ease. Automotion also makes some 1:48 scale cars that may work best in tight spaces and still be in scale relative to O-scale buildings and trains. S would be around Hot Wheels size.
Yes, any wire should work so long as it is ferrous. I do recommend the track automation builds, though as it works well, fits together nicely, ensures smooth curves, and doesn't allow your wire to wander under the roadway.
-Dustin
Wow, great vehicle automation but great city modeling as well. Nicely done!
Hi @frizzinbee, I don't know how I missed this thread 3-1/2 years ago. I always tried to read your posts. I'm glad @EmpireBuilderDave resurrected this thread. You did incredible work on the AutomotionFX system you installed. How has it held up over time? I seem to remember an exchange I had with Gunrunner John about Lee Willis, that after time Lee abandoned the AutomotionFX system. I don't remember the reason. It's a shame Lee doesn't post here anymore.
@coach joe posted:Hi @frizzinbee, I don't know how I missed this thread 3-1/2 years ago. I always tried to read your posts. I'm glad @EmpireBuilderDave resurrected this thread. You did incredible work on the AutomotionFX system you installed. How has it held up over time? I seem to remember an exchange I had with Gunrunner John about Lee Willis, that after time Lee abandoned the AutomotionFX system. I don't remember the reason. It's a shame Lee doesn't post here anymore.
Lee has sold everything and disassembled his layout.
I had no idea Lee dismantled his layout. I hope it was just loss of interest and not something more serious.
@Andrew B. posted:Lee has sold everything and disassembled his layout.
😢😢😢
@coach joe posted:I had no idea Lee dismantled his layout. I hope it was just loss of interest and not something more serious.
Yep, Lee is preparing to move to a smaller place and he's indulging his other hobby, building scale model boats.
@coach joe posted:Hi @frizzinbee, I don't know how I missed this thread 3-1/2 years ago. I always tried to read your posts. I'm glad @EmpireBuilderDave resurrected this thread. You did incredible work on the AutomotionFX system you installed. How has it held up over time? I seem to remember an exchange I had with Gunrunner John about Lee Willis, that after time Lee abandoned the AutomotionFX system. I don't remember the reason. It's a shame Lee doesn't post here anymore.
Definitely a bummer that Lee has taken down his layout - I used to enjoy following his work!
@coach joe thanks for the kind words about my layout. I actually took it down about a year and a half ago - we moved to New Mexico, and our home out here doesn’t have a good space for a layout, so for now the trains/buildings and FX stuff is in storage. I was pleased with the FX set-up while the layout was running & it was always a crowd pleaser. Most people don’t notice the tillers and are amazed when they see the cars running. That said, I would usually only run a couple cars and never for an extended period, so I wouldn’t run into the long-term issues that Lee encountered.
-Dustin
The NJ HiRailers have the Automotion Fx cars running in the Broad street area It has been redone twice becuase of technology changes You originally had to buy his track pieces which isnt the case anymore We had a number of vehicles sent to him to install in it You can see the Scoobey Doo van and a Batmobile running at Trainstock We also have a number of Checker cabs done There are switch tracks that allow one cab to pass the other
