Minic questions

[gazza1]

Hello all.

New to forum. Last time I saw a minic road/ rail set was one that belonged to my two much older brothers, probably 40 plus years ago. Being much younger I didn't get much opportunity to play with it. Got sold not long after I was given a bit more access to it. 

I have a couple of questions as am struggling to remember certain aspects about Minic.

I recall we had a level crossing with gates and a white car (porsche?) ans a green car (possibly a Jag). Did the cars stop automattically as a train went across the level crossing?

I seem to recall we had a green diesel loco. Silly question maybe but want to be sure, were the minic roads compatible wth Hornby track/trains?

I also seem to recall vaguely a red explosives train that used to "explode" when passing over a certain section of track (I think). 

[Chrissaf]

Whilst you wait for a reply, perhaps you would spend a few minutes reviewing the TIPs in the TIP page link below:

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[Bulleidboy]

This may help you start some research 😆

https://www.brightontoymuseum.co.uk/index/Category:Minic_Motorways

[GeoFF03]

I had a Minic Motorway set many years ago.  While i didn't have any of the intergrated railway items, I did have a cross road section and as I recall there was no automatic stop at the junction.  That being so, I doubt there was any automatic for your level crossing, unless that was a feature on later items.  The minic sets were, or at least mine was, made by Tri-ang and would have used their series 3 track.

[37lover]

GeoFF03,

Take a quick look at the link bulleidboy offered; as you suggest it mentions later automated crossings.

[Tony57]

Hi Gazza

 

The leval crossing was not controlled, though there are seveal minic motorway systems on the  exibition circuit that have been modified with reed switches etc that make the cars stop to allow trains to pass by..

 

Minic was made to run with Super 4 track, this includes a twin road / single track level crossing, double road and rail level crossing, and the road rail interchange wher the a single road guide ran between the single rail track with two bends depending on what side you require, and a Left hand side buffer stop / road end and Right hand side bufferstop / road end. The vehical loading ramp is made for super 4 so the special rail truck track can connect with the road section so cars or lorries can drive stright on. 

[Ruffnut Thorston]

The automatic level crossing, though included in the catalogue, was never actually released as a production model.

 

No automatic stops were made, as stated above though, modifications can be made. As far as I am aware though, no one has made the gates or barriers work as well. The exhibition layouts usually running without gates or barriers, as "open crossings ".

 

There was a train set described as the "Dash and Crash" set.

 

It was suggested that the train could form an obstacle with the two cars racing on the road dodging the train!

 

The Super 4 track, which has a higher/ thicker rail, can be connected to current Hornby track using special converter track sections, though these are no longer made, and only available from the usual used model sources.

 

In general terms, current Hornby locomotives and rolling stock would run on Super 4 track.

 

Some modern items are described as only suitable for Radius 2 and above. The Super 4 track uses the same radius as current Hornby track, but Super 4 track Radius 3 is not very common, as it was introduced later than Radius 1 and 2.

 

Some modern items may not like the Super 4 points, especially the common crossing or "Frog", which has quite wide and deep flangeways. The finer flange wheels can drop into the flangeways, possibly derailing. 

[gazza1]

Thanks all for the informative replies.

Much appreciated.