Great article Rick. I

Great article Rick. I remember much of the work you did with this from your blog about your layout. Nice to see it in the magazine.

Thank you, Rob

It was a fun project.

Nicely done! I enjoyed the

Nicely done! I enjoyed the read very much., and it was timely, as I was just pondering how to add servo controlled doors to my next Nscale building! So far the digitally upgraded Bachmann Steam Whistle has been a big hit with the under 5 crowd! 

My plan is to always include interactive features or animations for my daughter (age 2) or other visitors to enjoy and interact with. Active involvement is more fun than passive watching! Since ESU switch pilot allows both DCC and traditional toggle switch operation of an output, I can be sure to include controls for her on any non critical animations so we can open close, up down, on off, and choo choo to our hearts content, together.

Thanks again for a great read, and additional inspiration to get to work on working doors and animating this flagpole!  

. 

Just what I was looking for

Rick - the roll up was just what I was looking for.  So far most of the projects I've seen are for tall buildings with the door opening into the second story.  I'll file away your article to see if I can make it work in N scale "someday."

This fellow does some pretty creative stuff in N scale animation - this is one of the "two story" doors.  I like the use of the Arduino and Lego gear mechanism.

gs

six stars

Gotta rate the article at six stars. Sometimes you just gotta go the extra mile. 

Way to go Monsieur Wade!

Thank you, gentlemen.  I’m

Thank you, gentlemen.  I’m glad that you found the article helpful!

Great Project!

I love layout animation!  I've been watching Tom Kliminski's Georgia Northeastern videos on animating his small layout and have gotten hooked.  Last year I started working with Arduino circuits and the opportunities they bring.  My new layout starts in a couple of weeks and I plan to add some things.  Can't wait to see what you do nex Rick!  You are always innovative!

Nice Article!

Rick,

I always enjoy your modeling, and your sense of humor.  Of course, I follow along on your blog, so I wasn't surprised to see this article, or how well you designed your animated door.  Now I'm trying to figure out where I can install such a thing on my railroad!

Do you have a video you can post?  Maybe it's on your thread already and you can link to it.  I'd love to see the door in action!

Idea for the door

Rick,

In the article, you indicated that you sanded down the door so it would bend and follow the track.  In furniture making, a roll top desk is made by using separate slats and cloth backing to hold them together and allow the top to roil up.  What about using separate strips of styrene (or bass wood) for the door and glue paper strips on the back side to hold the pieces together and allow it to bend easily?  The clear packing tape you used on the back of the door would also work.  I haven't tried this but, a self-adhesive label might also work..

Bill

Michael A - a short video of the operation of the door.

Michael,

It's not much, but I do have a video of the door in operation:

Bill - you have a good idea.

Constructing the door like a roll top desk sounds like it would work and make the door even more flexible and able to go around the curved track.  Thanks for the idea!

Rick

That's Sweet!  Thanks for posting the video.

Michael A - you are very welcome

I hope that you found it helpful.

Just read the article

I'll have to admit I just read the article and found it amazing how you made a roll-up door that actually rolls up, well at least curves.

I'll have to keep this in mind.

Jim B.

I'm glad that you found the article helpful.

A few years ago, someone did

A few years ago, someone did an animated roll up door for the Moffat Tunnel on the D&RGW.  It closes for exhaust fume ventalation.