Building a Maglev train for my Christmas Tree

Update (5/19/2023): STL files can be found at the link below:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:603...


In this video I'll show how i made a magnetic monorail train that uses infrared LEDs and phototransistors to trigger coils that accelerate it around a track. I built this because i wanted a train to go around my christmas tree and this seemed a lot more interesting than a regular toy train on rails.


The infrared tripwire that triggers the electromagnet coils is the same design i used for my second ball accelerator, which is described in detail in this video:

   • Electromagnetic Accelerator Improveme...  


The train technically isn't a truly "levitating" train, because it straddles the rail, and its legs prevent the instability of magnetic repulsion from throwing it off to the left or right. A true maglev would have no physical contact with anything below or beside it. I'm working on a true levitating train for a future video, but it was too difficult to implement as a christmas decoartion.


IR LED / Phototransistor set:

https://www.amazon.com/Gikfun-Infrare...


Music Used:

Christmas Village - Aaron Kenny
Jolly Old St Nicholas (Instrumental) - E's Jammy Jams
Jingle Bells (Instrumental Jazz) - E's Jammy Jams