True Futuristic Train from Tomy

[Super]

I wouldn't think that the tracks are powered as they have all those round magnets to oppose the powered train around. I also would assume that there would be no voltage drop because the tracks aren't powered. But I must admit that I don't base my thinking on any knowledge of how these work. What I don't see is if the train has rechargables, does it recharge in the station and if it does then is it batterys charging batterys which makes no sense so in my mind the station should be powered by house current with a transformer like you say. Very curious to learn more about this set although I am not interested in owning one.

I think you'll find the track would need to be powered, either constantly or in a pulse fashion round the track to get the forward motion. Fixed magnets might 'float' a train, but it wouldn't provide any forward motion.

Real life maglevs have electro-magnets embedded in the track that are turned on/off in sequence to pull the train forward/backward. This is how motion is created, the only other way would be to have an engine fitted to the train to provide propulsion (say a turbo-prop or jet).

The idea is to have electro-magnets to support the train and then pulse these to create a pull effect.

Maybe this article would help explain it better than I can lol; How Maglev Trains Work

[Super]

Thanks Nigel

This technology is fantastic. The video in you link was very interesting but does the model act in the opposite of the real life pulse? In the video in your first post the model looks to pulse in the train while the magnets in the track appear to just be there for the on and off of the polarity of the train sensors or whatever they call them. At least that what it appears to be with my untrained eye. Take a look at the 1:00 mark. What do you think it shows? I love this thread and talking about this train.

I see what you mean super and I guess in a toy train it would be the only realistic way of producing the motion. To switch electro-magnets on a track on and off would require some pretty clever tech as you'd probably need a micro-processor in each piece of track which would then need to be numbered and controlled in the correct order. That or something alternate could be done in a fixed setup, but in a set where you take random pieces out of a box and assemble them in order would be a work of genius to get it to auto-configure etc... Not to mention prohibitively expensive if each piece of track is intelligent in some form.

I suppose if the 'station' communicates with the locomotive say using R/C it could instruct it when/how to fluctuate the magnets in the train in order to get the thing to move and more importantly enable it to travel at different speeds. But even this would probably require a cpu/software in the train to enable it to sync all the magents in all the cars in order to get the motion to work, especially at high speeds.

Regardless it is a marvellous achievement of technology not to mention miniaturisation

One other thing I noticed is the train that is compared against the maglev is actually a Tomix according to the caption as opposed to a blue track Tomy. The Tomix would probably be quicker than unmodified Tomy anyway so the fact it is that much quicker than the Tomix is even more impressive.

I suppose extrapolating things you may find that station might be capable of commanding multiple maglevs simultaneously if they have employed any form of digital addressing as seen in modern day OO/HO/N gauge digital systems...

Interesting times ahead

To clear up some questions:

- There is no power in the tracks.
- The 10 AA batteries are for the station
- The train has a built-in Lithium Ion battery that lasts 20 minutes of play every 30 minutes of recharging.
- The station acts as a control and speed detector.
- There is an AC->DC adapter for recharging.

Tracks are around $15 USD per pair.

-plarnold

[Super]

Thanks for the translation Plarnold

Ouch, only 20 minutes of play and then plug in to recharge for 30 minutes. 10 AA battery's sure seems like a lot, how much would have added to have the station plug into house current and have a dock for the train to park and recharge at the same time. The $15 per pair of track doesn't seem like that much considering the cost of the whole set. I would like to see a large layout someone may build after the sets released. Would like to see some snaking curves but without points of elevation changes it would be an uneventful play. Wonder if the train can be stopped at any point in the track and restarted from the station and to slow down and speed up while the train is running.

Hey Plarnold, thanks for the info/translation. That definitely answers a lot of the questions we've been speculating on. However the first thing that springs to mind is if the track is simply perspex/plastic with magnets embedded why is it so darn expensive? $15 for two pieces of plastic with magnets seems quite extreme to me.

I still don't get why the station is powered by batteries, doubly so if they provide a separate charging transformer for the train.

It doubly surprises me the price of the set is so high ~ $350 if the only electronic/moving parts (for want of a better description) are the station and the locomotive.

Sure I can understand they probably have development costs to recover, but we all know how cheaply electronics/computers can be produced these days, especially if made in bulk.

I get the impression that this has been rushed to market due to prior promises and to test the waters to determine if it does work in the real world. It wouldn't surprise me if a year on there will be a more refined product at a more realistic price (i.e. < $100)

I just did a quick skim of the press release regarding the station and the batteries.
If you don't use the AC adapter, you have to use 10 x AA batteries for the station. The station has the speed sensor and voice announcements when the train reaches the scale speed of 500km/h.

They also aim to sell 20000 sets within one year.

Note: I just recalculated the price for the set using the current exchange rates.

Set = USD $305 [excludes shipping]
Rail expansion (2 x curve) = USD $17.50 [excludes shipping]
Rail expansion (2 x straight) = USD $17.50 [excludes shipping]

The set coincides with the new world record of 603km/h they recently set with the real L0 Linear Liner.

-plarnold

Ah, now that makes more sense, giving you the choice of an AC adaptor or batteries

The price is also getting better slowly, now all I need to do is find that new job I'm looking for and I may be persuaded to buy one lol!

[Super]

The set is not due out until September I think and who knows what the exchange rate will be by then. Over at Hobby Search you could have got the Pre-Ordered price of $256 (31000yen) at todays exchange rate but it looks like the Pre-Order/Reservations are closed. Their regular price shows $285 (35000yen) at todays rate but that could change once the release date rolls around. Thats also if they restock the set. If Tomy expects to sell 20,000 sets in the first year I would say all the regular sellers will have them available. http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10324243