Working Bridge and Boat Diorama

modelcrazy

Nice work Peter. That's really going to be something to see in action.

Thanks. I too am looking forward to see in action.

This is a cool project.

Ok, like Tanker-Builder, I might have tweaked it a bit.  Like using a pair of rare earth magnets to both float and drive the boat.  In 1/72 scale, I would have a full set of working lights (from the railroad section), too.

Now, I would include a small sound system, too.  That's because the boat, per local waterway regulations typically halts and signals the bridge with a horn.  The bridge operator then sounds his horn when the bridge is fully raised, at which point the bot can proceed.   At a distance downstream from the bridge, the bridgekeepr sounds the horn again (3 short in US inland waters IIRC) to caution the boat that the way back is about to be blocked.

Ok, that's a bunch more work, but also incredibly prototypical for a museum setting.

That's my 2¢, spend it wisely

Wow. What a project. I will be following.

Nice work Peter. That's really going to be something to see in action.

mrmike

As Dr. Spock says "fascinating"! Look forward to seeing your next post.

Mike

Thank you Mike.

The museum workshop is too small to include this display table, so I am building it at home. Since I have no garage, the lounge-dining room will have to do.

When the timber arrived, it got marked out, cut, and assembled. The line you see across the table os a 3 mm gap/slot for the boat vane.

Under the table will be a control box. After the diorama is built, both table and box will be assemble at the museum. Together they won't fit through the door. The box has two doors for accessing the motors, pulley-cable system, and various electronics.

As Dr. Spock says "fascinating"! Look forward to seeing your next post.

Mike

Tanker - Builder

Peter ;

 I think you are headed in the right direction here . Now a suggestion . Why don't you use some model rail ideas for moving the boat and bridge to simplify everything in case of a breakdown . You could use a pin for the front and rear of the boat on a Engine below on a short straight track . Simple chain hoist for the bridge hidden by the bridge structure . 

 You could use a continous chain or belt ( Small , inside one of the towers and Use it to raise it and just gravity assist to lower it . Balance would be critical though . 

Just to let you know, I am already 2/3 in completion of the project. I came to this forum late. So I am posting what has already been done, on a daily basis, until I catch up to where I am at.

In this regard, the method of mobilizing the bridge and boat has already been decided on, though it has not yet been totally assembled and tested. I hope it will work. 

The bridge model system does not require counterweights. The ones shown in diagram will be false (balsa) and I am relying on gravity (and weight of span) for lowering the span as you mentioned. 

The boat will have a vane attached, and hopefully it will float across the table (about 2 mm) above the water, for it will be running on rails under the table. The boat will not be fixed to the vane, but resting on it via keyways.

Thanks for expressing your support and ideas.

Thank you Wirraway, Pawel, mmthrax, sharkbait, and Tanker-Builder for your comments and show of support. Much appreciated.

Peter ;

 I think you are headed in the right direction here . Now a suggestion . Why don't you use some model rail ideas for moving the boat and bridge to simplify everything in case of a breakdown . You could use a pin for the front and rear of the boat on a Engine below on a short straight track . Simple chain hoist for the bridge hidden by the bridge structure . 

 You could use a continous chain or belt ( Small , inside one of the towers and Use it to raise it and just gravity assist to lower it . Balance would be critical though . 

Great interesting project and educational too! Best of luck with it. What boat model are you planning on using? What scale 1/72? Cheers Sharkbait.

WOW!  That is super neat.  I really want to see this come together.  Best of luck.  This is an exceptional project.  

Hello!

That's a very cool project, and very original, too! Good luck with it and thanks for sharing, have a nice day

Paweł

Peter, that is a fantastic project ! I have family in Alstonville and visit the museum whenever I am in Ballina.  I have been following your progress on www.shipmodels  I look forward to seeing this in action.

Thank you Bish and modelcrazy for your expression of interest.

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Doing some reverse engineering.

The museum is a non-profit organisation and has limited funding. I spent a few months designing and drawing up plans at a minimal budget.

That's pretty cool.

This will be fun. So the control is a real one as used on the bridge, i like that idea.