The White River and Northern Model Railroad: Clinic

	The N Scale

	Model Railroad

Ventilation on the White River and Northern IV

Ventilation on the WR&N IV

Sometimes the most subtle forms of movement can be the most effective. Here is a factory complex outbuilding that has working roof ventilators. A pair of Dremel grinding bits simulate the ventilators. The grinding bit shafts descend through holes in the roof and engage a gear mechanism that rotates them at a leisurely pace. Running at 1.5 volts, the mechanism is perfectly silent.

To the right are two images that reveal the trick. The top photo shows the grinding bit shafts fitted with gears scrounged from the junk box. The center image shows the geared motor mounted to the building base; the grinding bit shafts drop into shallow holes drilled in the base to either side of the motor gear. Gravity holds the building and ventilators in place. At the bottom is a photo of the model as it appeared on the WR&N IV.

Image specs: Except for the last image on the right, the photos were all taken with a Canon 20D digital SLR. The last image is a frame grab from a Hi-8 camcorder tape.

See the vents in action!
Watch it on YouTube

In situ on the White River and Northern IV

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