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What I've Been Doing for the Last Five Years

LW Lee WillisOGR Forum Member

I've been away from this forum for the last five years and there have been a lot of changes here including a completely new look to the site, with different operating tools, etc.  Fortunately almost all hobby forums including model ship and car restoration forums seem to use much the same software so I think I have figured out how to navigate the OGR forum's current system.

There have also been a lot of changes on my layout and in my O-Gauge collection since I was last here.  My collection of locos has grown to about 140, my diecast vehicle collection to over 2,000, and I've made big changes at times to the buildings and arrangement of them on the layout.  

But the biggest change is recent, and one I am very excited about.  It may seem strange since only six years ago I wrote two books about using the 'Streets (K-Line Superstreets/WBB EZ-Street) system, but I am removing all the 'Streets roads I had installed on my layout and replacing them with with with-guided roads using a system somewhat like the German  Faller's Company's Car System, in which cars with magnetic sensors actually steer along the roads following an iron wire buried just under the road surface.  I moved to this system because it is so much more realistic than 'Streets or slot cars - no slots, rails, or anything on the roads except miniature versions of what should be there.

This system allowed me to rebuilt my downtown San Bettadaise Main Street with much more realistic streets, with curbes and gutters that have storm drains, lane and crosswalk markers, etc.  The cars, and the roadway sections that I used to blend into my new Main Street, are made here in the US by a new start-up in Colorado called AutomotionFX.  I also have made several car conversions from diecast models myself.  I am extremely pleased about my new Main Street, shown in the video below (the first video I ever posted on Youtube - apologies if it is rather non-professionally done).   I am excited about converting my Country road next and getting some big rigs and buses using this system running on that .

San Bettadaise Main Street

Last edited by OGR CEO-PUBLISHER
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Paul KallusPaul KallusOGR Forum Member

Lee, welcome back, the new streets look fantastic; I like the crown you gave them.

Is the FX system remote controlled; how do you activate power to the cars?

Am wondering why the lead guide is placed where it is, rather prominently in the front of the vehicle?

I incorporated Super Streets into my layout inspired in no small part, by your earlier work and articles. I can see that the FX system is a step in the right direction towards more realistic streets and vehicles. Am wondering if they have intersections? The only downside is that if you want a trolley you'd need to inlay trolley tracks, but if anyone can do it it's you.

Mark BoyceMark BoyceOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER

Lee, I am so glad to see you back here on the OGR Forum!  Welcome back!  I'll be glad to see what you have to share in the coming months and years.  The AutomotionFX system will be a treat, since I have not yet reached the point of laying out the towns on my layout.  On the same token, you must be anticipating a lot more here than just a new look to the Forum!

Last edited by Mark Boyce
G G-Man24OGR Forum Member
@Paul Kallus posted:

 

....Am wondering why the lead guide is placed where it is, rather prominently in the front of the vehicle?

 

I was looking at the same thing. Best I can tell is the guide acts as a tiller arm to steer the front end and it needs to be a certain length to have enough leverage and be effective . If it were flipped around so it was under the car and the guide arm behind the front end, the steering would lag and the wheels would plow straight into the curve before it started to react. That's my guess anyhow. 

Last edited by G-Man24
LW Lee WillisOGR Forum Member
@G-Man24 posted:

I was looking at the same thing. Best I can tell is the guide acts as a tiller arm to steer the front end and it needs to be a certain length to have enough leverage and be effective . If it were flipped around so it was under the car and the guide arm behind the front end, the steering would lag and the wheels would plow straight into the curve before it started to react. That's my guess anyhow. 

Yes, that's it.  The tiller has a small magnet on the end that is attracted to the iron wire under the road, and pulls it right or left to "steer" the car. The action steering mechanisms are jewels of precision, complete Ackermann steering systems with the road controlling them.  

DennyMDennyMOGR Forum Member
@Lee Willis posted:

I've been away from this forum for the last five years and there have been a lot of changes here including a completely new look to the site, with different operating tools, etc.  Fortunately almost all hobby forums including model ship and car restoration forums seem to use much the same software so I think I have figured out how to navigate the OGR forum's current system.

There have also been a lot of changes on my layout and in my O-Gauge collection since I was last here.  My collection of locos has grown to about 140, my diecast vehicle collection to over 2,000, and I've made big changes at times to the buildings and arrangement of them on the layout.  

But the biggest change is recent, and one I am very excited about.  It may seem strange since only six years ago I wrote two books about using the 'Streets (K-Line Superstreets/WBB EZ-Street) system, but I am removing all the 'Streets roads I had installed on my layout and replacing them with with with-guided roads using a system somewhat like the German  Faller's Company's Car System, in which cars with magnetic sensors actually steer along the roads following an iron wire buried just under the road surface.  I moved to this system because it is so much more realistic than 'Streets or slot cars - no slots, rails, or anything on the roads except miniature versions of what should be there.

This system allowed me to rebuilt my downtown San Bettadaise Main Street with much more realistic streets, with curbes and gutters that have storm drains, lane and crosswalk markers, etc.  The cars, and the roadway sections that I used to blend into my new Main Street, are made here in the US by a new start-up in Colorado called AutomotionFX.  I also have made several car conversions from diecast models myself.  I am extremely pleased about my new Main Street, shown in the video below (the first video I ever posted on Youtube - apologies if it is rather non-professionally done).   I am excited about converting my Country road next and getting some big rigs and buses using this system running on that .

San Bettadaise Main Street

Lee, how do you get to the autos to go down the street?

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