Introduction: Human Powered Night Train
This is a human powered parade float for a Christmas night parade. It was built by the Human Powered Vehicle Operators of Ottawa (HPVOoO) http://hpv.tricolour.net . More details can be found on http://hpv.tricolour.net/train.html . The base platform is a human powered tandem recumbent tricycle towing a home made 4'x8' tandem axle 3/4 ton flatbed cargo trailer which in turn is towing a kid's wagon. The trike lies entirely underneath the bottom locomotive boiler line. The rest is added superstructure. The red, green and blue lights are 130m of 2.5mm electro-luminescent wire. The horn is a real diesel locomotive air horn.
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17 Discussions
5 years ago
lol
5 years ago
cool
9 years ago on Introduction
I would love to build this for Christmas time!!! I was just wondering where you bought all of the EL wire, inverters, and connectors.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Here's a description of the wiring:
http://hpv.tricolour.net/train-elwire.txt
9 years ago on Introduction
Approximately how much did it cost?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
The EL wire is about $1.20/foot and there is about 400'. There are also 8 inverters that are $10 each? Connectors all told were maybe another $50?
The wood was almost all recycled. The bike rims were in a scrap heap, as was the stove pipe.
A friend gave me the diesel locomotive air horn, but those can fetch anywhere from $300 to $900. The air tank and connectors were $75-$100.
The tandem recumbent trike you can find here: http://greenspeed.com.au/gtt.html
The trailer was about $200 in metal plus labour.
9 years ago on Introduction
Can we see it in daytime? I would like to do this to my Rhoadescar.
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Sure, there's lots more photos linked from here in a number of levels of detail: http://hpv.tricolour.net/train.html
9 years ago on Introduction
An interesting article. Thanks)
9 years ago on Introduction
At first I thought this was a light-painting but this is way cooler!
9 years ago on Introduction
how heavy is this thing?
Reply 9 years ago on Introduction
Here's a rough guess:
tandem: 80 pounds
trailer: 100+ pounds
kid's wagon: 25 pounds
diesel loco air horn: 20 pounds
On top of that is three 10' sections of 2x6", a bit of 2x2" and smaller lumber, 1/2" conduit and the lights basically weigh nothing compared to the rest of this.
So, 275 pounds as a guess? Then you have two adults pedalling, 12 kids in the big trailer and a couple of kids in the wagon. The big trailer is good for 1500 pounds (3/4 ton).
9 years ago on Introduction
That's incredible. If I had the time I would so make something like this.
9 years ago on Introduction
I was searching for the right words to sum up my thoughts, but all I could come up with is "WOW!"
9 years ago on Introduction
On eof the most awesome thing ive seen someone make in awhile
9 years ago on Introduction
awesome
9 years ago on Introduction
cool