Extreme Scratchbuilding

[Dwight in Toronto]

This is about an 8 minute video, but worth a look to see some incredibly impressive 1:150 micro modelling and electronics.  The video description is wrong - there are no wires under the roadbed whatsoever.

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[Bangorboy]

This is amazing work.  Don't know if I'd have the patience or dexterity to do this.
I think you are correct in a way.  There are no electrical wires in the road whatsoever. 
However, I think there is a steel guide embedded in the road for the steering magnet to follow.  The easiest form of steel to do this is wire, like a guitar string, for instance.  The Marklin Car System works that way.  You can see the modeler adding the magnet to the tiller bar in the video.
None of this takes away from your original intent, to post the amazing work displayed here.  I am especially impressed with the lighting effects and the smoothness of operation.
Bill B

[Dwight in Toronto]

Ah, yes, I think you’re right about the magnet “steering” the front wheels due to a tracer wire under the road.  Original post modified accordingly.

When I saw the fabrication of the tiny ‘rack-&-pinion’ assembly, I thought the magnet was maybe tossed electrically from one side to the other somehow, but that’s not feasible.

I look at one of my N scale Kato automobiles, and I just can’t fathom someone pulling off ANY of this.  It left me just shaking my head in wonder!

[Maletrain]

Amazing work !!!!!!!!!!!!!! (But it's driving on the wrong side of the road  )

I wonder if there will be any commercial production of this type of model in the future.  If so, we might need a Java Model Roadway Interface to handle the traffic jams.

[peteski]

Yes, this type of model car steering has been around for a long time. I think Faller was the firs tone to use it. Now other companies like Marklin and Tomytec also make these.

This type of modeling was not possible just a decade ago due to unavailability of microscopic LiPo batteries or tiny motors.  But nowadays, with cheap consumer items like tiny wireless earbud headphones, tiny rechargeable batteries are more readily available.

What impressed me the most is how they actually trimmed the motor case (exposing the motor's innards) to fit in that small model.  Another thing I found interesting was that this tiny motor is not coreless, but it has a conventional iron-pole armature.  I though all those very tiny (pager vibrator) motors were coreless.  At least all the ones I took apart. 

The model builder is likely not a model railroader, but one of many YouTube users who depend on producing captivating videos and monetizing them.  Nothing wrong with that of course.  I have seen several of those types of modelers who come up with some awe-inspiring scratch-built models made from everyday materials (PVC pipe, Bic disposable lighters, or even paper) while using some very crude (but very effective) home-made power tools.  These videos can be addictive to watch. 

[kiwi_al]

Yes, this type of model car steering has been around for a long time. I think Faller was the firs tone to use it. Now other companies like Marklin and Tomytec also make these.

This type of modeling was not possible just a decade ago due to unavailability of microscopic LiPo batteries or tiny motors.  But nowadays, with cheap consumer items like tiny wireless earbud headphones, tiny rechargeable batteries are more readily available.

What impressed me the most is how they actually trimmed the motor case (exposing the motor's innards) to fit in that small model.  Another thing I found interesting was that this tiny motor is not coreless, but it has a conventional iron-pole armature.  I though all those very tiny (pager vibrator) motors were coreless.  At least all the ones I took apart. 

The model builder is likely not a model railroader, but one of many YouTube users who depend on producing captivating videos and monetizing them.  Nothing wrong with that of course.  I have seen several of those types of modelers who come up with some awe-inspiring scratch-built models made from everyday materials (PVC pipe, Bic disposable lighters, or even paper) while using some very crude (but very effective) home-made power tools.  These videos can be addictive to watch. 

So Pete, with you being an acknowledged model car builder when can I expect to see one of these from you?   

[Spades]

Peteski

Have you thought about updating your BUSCH FedEx Dodge Sprinter to be a little more mobile?

https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44000.msg563716#msg563716

[peteski]

So Pete, with you being an acknowledged model car builder when can I expect to see one of these from you?   

Well, with my current (and pending) project workload, maybe in 15 years?   

Peteski
Have you thought about updating your BUSCH FedEx Dodge Sprinter to be a little more mobile?

TBH, I'm not really all that excited about animating N scale road vehicles, but I do like installing lightning.  Maybe I'll change my mind someday.

[brill27mcb]

He makes it look so easy:

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(remote controlled steering here, too.)

Rich K.

[Chris333]

I recently watched a video of the RC cars on that Miniature Wonderland layout. The cars would pull into a string of charging stations to refuel.

Can't find the video. But this shows the recharge station:
https://www.miniatur-wunderland.com/discover-wunderland/technologies/carsystem/the-technology-of-wunderlands-carsytem/

[wm3798]

Oh man.  11 year old Lee is all abut that life.  I must have put 2 million miles on various vehicle models pushing them around through imaginary streets on the basement floor, the roads of the Christmas garden, around the roots of trees in the yard...  I was quite the road builder in my mom's flower beds, as well.  Archaeologists will be digging up model cars from my old neighborhood eons from now.

Thanks for sharing that.
Lee