Linear Motors - Overview
This linear motor track design is based on a concept by IDL Motors (www.teenytrains.com), and is used with their permission. They did all the original work on how to use a double-sided printed circuit board as a complete linear motor track, but their products have limited usefulness for serious model railway applications.
My version of the system is a bit more difficult to work with than IDL's, since the track pieces have to be soldered together into a permanent layout, but unlike theirs it can handle most model railway requirements.
My version of the system is a bit more difficult to work with than IDL's, since the track pieces have to be soldered together into a permanent layout, but unlike theirs it can handle most model railway requirements.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
- Very high reliability and low maintenance (no problems with dirty track or wheels)
- Very good low speed running (no stalling)
- Long (basically unlimited length) trains, small prototypes, steep gradients
- Lower overall cost (track and controls comparable or a bit more, trains a LOT less)
- Also suitable for non-rail or mixed applications (rail, road and canal so far)
- Very easy to automate, even including automated shunting
- Best for Z scale and below, where conventional techniques are least effective
Weaknesses:
- It is not a true railway (no wheels, no rails, the models just slide along the track)
- Inherently jerky motion (this can be reduced but not entirely eliminated)
- For trains, specific carriage lengths work best (24mm, 36mm, 48mm) so some distortion of models or careful choice of scale may be needed
- Track proximity issues (the closest workable track spacing is 17-18mm, about right for triple track in T Gauge)
- It is all do-it-yourself, the track pieces have to be soldered together, and is intended for permanent installations
- While the wiring is simple for a basic layout with no points or stop sections, it quickly becomes complex for non-trivial designs
- Not suitable for larger scales (increased power requirements for the heavier weights, and it is too obvious the train wheels are dummies and not turning).