adding animation to my railroad

[Anonymous]

can anyone help me with ideas or places to go to learn how to add animation to my railroad. Things like moving people, or motion to automobiles, etc:

[jprampolla]

Hi Terpsfan,

 I have many home-built animation projects with instructions and diagrams on my site. The links to the various pages are on the first 2 pages:

 http://www.josephrampolla.com/

 http://www.josephrampolla.com/MainPage.html

 Take care, Joe.

[Joe Hohmann]

can anyone help me with ideas or places to go to learn how to add animation to my railroad. Things like moving people, or motion to automobiles, etc:

Welcome to the forum! You've asked the "million dollar question" concerning people and cars.

K-Line, while still in business, had a moving car system called "Super Streets". Although some forum members thought it was great, I personally thought it was "the pits" (basically a slot-car set, taking up a LOT of space, using only the few trucks they offered). I would love to have a system to move MY choice of diecast cars, other than on a revolving belt "roadway". I think some kind of magnet system, under the car as well as under the "road", may work.

Animations with people are available, but the people stay in one place while moving (Lionel Track Gang, Test O Strength, and a number of others). K-Line had a great Watchman's Shanty where the figure moved via magnets (Lionel's playground swings use magnets as well). "Walking" people, without a moving belt, is something I have not seen. Joe

 

[jimhaleyscomet]

The easiest place to start is with an accessory such as Lionel Gateman or Ice House.  If you have the operating track you can have the switch man come out of an operating car.  You can also add a log or coal dump car to your train.  I think MTH makes a factory with people walking.  Another interesting trick is to add a loop of N gauge and place O scale people sitting on top of the train (like a zoo train).

I enjoy running the cars with a clown, giraff, or ostridge that comes out of the roof.  Some searchlight cars (as well as some radar / tv cars) rotate.   

 Jim H

[cnw1995]

Great site, Joe!

Here's another one - a CTT advertiser - that makes custom animations and sells some others: http://www.willardanimations.com/

[dwiemer]

OGR has a book on Animations.  They do have some good ideas, but it is just a start.  You will have to be inventive.  I have amassed a bunch of DC motors to make some projects come to life, but I need to get the main scenery done first.

Dennis

[luther_stanton]

Hi Terpsfan,

 I have many home-built animation projects with instructions and diagrams on my site. The links to the various pages are on the first 2 pages:

 http://www.josephrampolla.com/

 http://www.josephrampolla.com/MainPage.html

 Take care, Joe.

 Joe,

You have done some very nice work.  I also like that you show how it is done as well.  Thank you for sharing the information!

 - Luther