GB2155345A - Model terrain layout - Google Patents

Abstract

A model terrain layout, particularly for a model railway system, arranged on a support (11) and including a simulated road (17), and optionally a waterway (18) system, master magnets (25) being moved by belts (19) or chains around pulleys (20) or sprocket wheels, to follow paths (14) below the road system (and the waterway system, if present), the master magnets being magnetically coupled to slave magnets mounted below model vehicles, so that movement of the master magnets (25) by the belts or chains causes movement of the model vehicles along the road system. Steerable model vehicles for use in such a layout are also described, as is an arrangement for halting a vehicle and thus uncoupling it from its master magnet, which then couples with another vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Model terrain layout The present invention relates to a model terrain layout, particularly but not exclusively for use as a model railway layout, to assemblies including such a layout, and to vehicles for use in such assemblies.

The layouts used for model railways have nowadays become very realistic and frequently include road and possibly waterway systems on which models representing vehicles or other road or waterway users are positioned. However, it would clearly be more realistic if the models were able to move in a realistic manner in the same way as the model trains. Some systems for moving model road vehicles already exist, but these make use of visible guide rails located on the model layout and this, of course, completely destroys any realism in the system.

It is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a model terrain layout including a simulated road and possibly also a waterway system in which models of vehicles or other road or waterway users, such as water fowl, can move continuously along the road, or waterway system in a realistic manner without the necessity for the use of visible rails or the like.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an assembly comprising such a model terrain layout and models of vehicles or other road and waterway users for use in conjunction with the layout.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide model vehicles for use in such an assembly.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a model terrain layout arranged on a substantially flat non-magnetic support, and including a simulated road and optionally also a waterway system, wherein means are provided for moving a plurality of permanent magnets acting as master magnets, along predetermined paths formed in or by said support below said road system, and said waterway system when present, each said master magnet being magnetically coupled through at least a relatively thin part of said support to respective slave magnets located beneath models of vehicles or other road or waterway users, whereby said models are constrained to move along the road or waterway system in conformity with the movement of said master magnets along said paths, said means for moving said master magnets comprising at least one drive arrangement, in which a continuous flexible drive member carrying said master magnets is mounted for movement parallel to said support around a plurality of rotatable members, one of said rotatable members being driven and one of said rotatable members being located at each bend or corner in the road or waterway system beneath which the drive arrangement is located.

The road and, where present, the waterway systems, of the terrain layout of the invention are in the form of closed loops along which vehicles can circulate continuously in one or both directions.

The support for the terrain is preferably itself supported in parallel spaced relationship on a substantially flat base (for example, a table-top), the means for moving the master magnets being located in the interspace between the base and the support.

As the means for moving the master magnets, one or more drive arrangements are used, in which the master magnets are carried on the top edge of a vertical belt made of rubber or other flexible material which is arranged to move round a system of horizontal pulleys, one of which is driven, so that the magnets follow the required path below the road or waterway system, the individual pulleys being located at bends or corners of the road or waterway system.

Alternatively, in place of a belt-and-pulley drive, a continuous chain passing round horizontal sprocket wheels may be used, the master magnets being mounted on the upper side of the chain. For this purpose, bicycle chain, which is relatively cheap, can advantageously be used, the master magnets being carried on upward extensions of the link pins of the chain.

Where both a road and a waterway system are provided, a separate drive arrangement will normally be used for the waterway system. This may be driven from a pulley or sprocket wheel (usually the drive pulley or sprocket wheel) of the drive arrangement of the road system, preferably through reduction gearing so that the models of the waterway system move at a slower speed than those of the road system.

For the road system, the belt-and-pulley (or chain-and-sprocket) arrangement may be doubled on itself so that vehicles can be moved along the roads in both directions, or two separate drive arrangements may be used for this purpose.

The two sides of a drive belt loop travel in opposite directions, so that it is possible, even with a single belt or chain, to have vehicles travelling in both directions on a straight road. Unfortunately, they cannot continue in a parallel path round bends, since the pulleys are normally wider than the road width. Movement round bends can however be solved by the provision of a small triangular island at the bends; on a simulated country road, this could represent a small grass triangle, and could represent a pedestrian refuge in a town.

It could alternatively represent a roundabout. In this way, using two parallel belts, running in opposite directions, a complete road circuit, including bends, can have vehicles moving in opposite directions.

The present invention also comprises an assembly comprising a model terrain layout as previously specified and a plurality of model vehicles provided with slave magnets for co-operation with master magnets moving below the road system.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a model vehicle suitable for use in such an assembly, provided with independent steering means operable on lateral movement of a slave magnet mounted beneath the model vehicle, such as occurs when the vehicle turns a corner or bend in the road system, to turn the front wheels of the vehicle.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of part of a layout according to the invention, partially cutaway to show the drive means for the master magnets; Figure 2 is a scrap perspective view of part of a belt of the layout of Figure 1 to illustrate one way of mounting a master magnet; Figure 3 is a scrap perspective view of part of a belt and a pulley of the layout of Figure 1, to illustrate another way of mounting a master magnet; Figure 4 is a schematic side view of a model van for use with a layout according to the invention; Figure 5 is a schematic plan view from below of the model van of Figure 3; Figures 6 and 7 are schematic side and plan views respectively of a model ice-cream seller and tricycle for use with a layout according to the invention;; Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a model motor-cyclist for use in a layout according to the invention; Figure 9 is a front view of the model motor-cyclist of Figure 8; Figures 7Oa and lOb are similar schematic sectional views of the model of Figure 8 taken along the line X-X, to illustrate position of the model on a straight stretch of road and round a bend respectively; Figure 11 is a schematic side view of a model tank for use in a layout according to the invention; Figure 12 is a schematic plan view from below of the model tank of Figure 11; Figures 13 and 14 are respectively schematic perspective exploded views of two alternative steering systems for a model van similar to that illustrated in Figures 4 and 5;; Figure 15 is a scrap perspective view of part of a belt of the layout of Figure 1, to illustrate a way of mounting a master magnet for use with small models; Figure 16 is a schematic perspective view of an arrangement for use in a layout according to the invention for automatically changing vehicles moving round a road system; Figure 17 is a schematic side view of one vehicle change mechanism of the arrangement of Figure 16; Figure 18 is a schematic perspective view of part of the assembly of Figure 1 to illustrate operation of the change mechanism; and Figure 19 is a schematic perspective view of another and simpler form of automatic vehicle change arrangement for use in a layout according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the layout comprises a flat base 10 which may be made of any convenient material, for example wood, plastics or metal, and may conveniently be a table-top, and an upper support 11 in the form of a plate or board arranged parallel to the base 10 and spaced from the latter by means of spacing members 12 in the form, for example of wooden or plastic blocks.The upper support 11 is of composite construction and consists of a relatively thick plate or board 13 of wood or a plastics material having apertures 14 formed therein to provide paths for the passage of master magnets, the whole surface of the plate or board 13 being covered with a thin sheet 15 of a nonmagnetic material, such as, for example, Formica, or aluminium, the thickness of which is such that a master magnet passing immediately below the lower surface of the sheet along a path 14 can be magnetically coupled through the sheet to a slave magnet beneath a vehicle moving on the top of the sheet.

On the sheet 15, the layout is built-up to form the required terrain, including railway tracks 16 for the passage of model trains, a road system indicated at 17 and a waterway system in the form of a river, or canal, indicated at 18. The sheet 15 is shaped to form a container for water in the waterway system 18, on which vehicles can float. In the interspace between the upper support 11 and the base 10, there is arranged a drive system for model vehicles and the like moving along the road or waterway system. This drive system comprises an endless belt 19 made of rubber or other flexible material running around a system of pulleys 20, the pulleys being so located that they are located at corners or bends in the road or waterway system and consequently corresponding bends in the paths 14 so that the belt is guided around these corners and bends.One of the pulleys 21 is driven from a slow-speed electric motor 22. A separate belt-and-pulley arrangement is used for the waterway 18, one pulley 23 of this system being driven from the pulley 21 through a reduction gear in the form of an elastic band 24 running round portions of appropriately different diameters in the two pulleys. In this way the speed of the belt driven by the pulley 23, and consequently of vehicles moving along the waterway, is less than that of the belt driving the road vehicles, which adds to the realism of the layout.The master magnets 25 for driving the vehicles along both the road system and the waterway system are mounted on the top of the belt, for example as shown in Figure 2, simpiy by means of a stem 26 of non-magnetic material on the top of which the magnet 25 is fixed, the stem having a longitudinal slot 27 therein which passes over the top of the belt 19 and is fixed by means of rivets 28, the magnets being at such a height above the top of the belt that their flat tops rub lightly along the bottom of the sheet 15 in the paths 14. As shown in Figure 3, in order to enable the master magnets to pass around pulleys without hindrance, the belts 19 are made wider than the depth of the pulleys, so that they project above the tops of the pulleys in each case. The paths 14 are sufficiently narrow to ensure that the magnets are not moved laterally by flexing of the belt between pulleys.

The tension on the belt between the pulleys inclines to make the top of the belt tilt towards the centre of the pulleys, and thus increase the possi bility of breaking the magnetic coupling. In order to overcome this phenomenon, it may be desirable to use the more complex form of mounting for the master magnets illustrated in Figure 3. This allows the magnet 25 to float on its mounting and ensures that it stays in magnetic contact with the slave magnet of a vehicle above the track and also that the poles of the magnet remain in alignment with the belt. The holder is made of non-magnetic material and comprises a U-section mounting element 29 the arms of which extend on either side of the top of the belt 19 and are screwed or rivetted thereto at 30. A driving pin 31 extends upwards from the top of the mounting element 29 and engages in a hole in a plate 33.It is a sufficiently loose fit for the plate to move freely in a vertical direction and also to rotate and tilt without jamming. A guide roller 34 is fixed to the front of the plate (considered in the direction of movement of the belt) and the master magnet 25 is rigidly fixed to the rear thereof. A light compression spring 35 surrounding the pin 31 between the mounting member 29 and the plate 33 holds the magnet and roller in light contact with the under surface of the sheet 15. The top of the pin 31 is provided with a stop 32 to prevent escape of the plate 33 from the pin.For use with model vehicles which, as hereinafter described, require the use of two slave magnets for example, heavy models with a high rolling resistance, such as model tanks, and models with a low ground clearance, such as model sports cars, where only thin slave magnets can be used, the guide roller 34 may be replaced by another rigidly fixed master magnet.

On straight belt runs (i.e. between pulleys) of one foot (30 cm) or more, guide rails or like guide members are preferably fitted on either side of the belt to stop it tilting under the weight of the magnet holder and the force of spring 35. The tops of such guide rails should be level with the tops of the pulleys and there should be a small clearance on either side of the belt.

When a chain-and-sprocket wheel drive is used instead of a belt-and-pulley drive, there is no danger of tilting of the chain and the use of a floating magnet mounting, as shown in Figure 3, or of guide rails, is unnecessary.

The master magnets 25 are located on the belts 19 at appropriate spacings to co-operate with slave magnets beneath the driven vehicles.

A model of a typical road vehicle, in this case a van for use in the terrain layout of Figure 1, is shown in Figures 4 and 5. This may be in the form of a plastics or die-cast metal model. As shown this is provided with freely rotatable and steerable front wheels provided with king pins, stub axles, a track rod and a steering arm much as on a full-size vehicle but in a very simplified form. The bottom of the vehicle is provided with an additional steering member 36 which is attached to the body of the vehicle so as to pivot about a vertical pin 37 mounted approximately at the centre of the back axle. At the front of the member 36, a horizontal pin 38 is provided which engages in a hole in the centre of the track rod 39. A pin 40 upstanding from the top of a slave magnet 41 engages in a hole 42 in the member 36 towards the front end thereof.The pin 40 is fixed to the magnet 41 but must be free to rotate and move axiaily in this hole, so that the lower face of the magnet rests freely on the road surface. Alternatively, the magnet 41 may be suspended in the hole 42 at such a height as to run over the road surface.

In operation, the vehicle is steered as follows.

The slave magnet 41 follows the movement of the master magnet below the upper support sheet and thus propels the vehicle along the road. The movement of the magnet around a pulley will coincide with a corner or bend in the road. As the path of the master magnet and therefore the slave magnet 41 deviates at such a bend or corner from the path the vehicle was previously travelling, the member 36 will swing in the direction taken by the magnet.

This will move the pin 38 and the track rod 39 so as to move the front wheels of the vehicle to steer it in the new direction. Similarly, if the magnet is moving in a straight path and the vehicle should start to deviate the steering will be automatically corrected. In order to increase the realism of the model, the driver of the vehicle can be made to turn the steering wheel, by means of a link from the member 36 which turns the steering column. In this case, the driver may have flexible arms, for example, made of string.

One set of master and slave magnets will usually be sufficient for lighter models, but heavier vehicles may require an extra set. The extra slave magnets must only exert a pull and must be free to move sideways without affecting the steering. In Figure 5, an extra slave magnet 43 is indicated in dotted lines, the extra magnet being provided with a driving pin 44 which engages in an arcuate slot 45 in the member 36 between the rear axle and the steering slave magnet 41. Alternatively, the pin could be attached to a separate link. The steering slave magnet 41 should always be as near to the front as possible without its presence being noticeable. It must also clear the front wheels on full lock. The length of the member 36 and the position of the vertical pin 37 should be adjusted so that the wheels steer to the correct amount.If two slave magnets are used, they must be the same distance apart as the two master magnets on the belt below.

A model ice-cream seller mounted on a tricycle is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7. In this case, the box 46 of the tricycle is rigidly attached to a steering slave magnet 47 and turns with it. The box is hinged to the frame at 48 and the rider has flexible arms to accommodate movement of the box 46.

Figures 8, 9 and 10a and 10b show a model motor-cyclist, which, while not steerable, makes use of the turning movement of a slave magnet 49 to cause the model to lean over on turning. The slave magnet 49 has a driving pin 50 which engages in a hole in the model rider at its upper end, so as to hold the model upright when the magnet 49 moves along a straight path. When the cycle reaches a bend, the slave magnet moves laterally away from it. This makes the cycle and rider lean over realistically.

Figures 11 and 12 show a model tank for use with the layout of the invention. This is much simpler in construction. The tank tracks 51, which may be simulated by rubber bands, are free to turn.

Two slave magnets are shown in the drawings, a steering magnet 52, the driving pin of which pivots in a hole in the underside of the tank, and an extra magnet 53, the driving pin of which, as in the model van of Figures 4 and 5, engages in a slot 54 in the underside of the tank, the slot in this case being straight.

The steering arrangements illustrated will suit most model vehicles, but some may require the use of a different or more complicated one.

The model van shown in Figures 4 and 5 is provided with a steering system similar to that of a full-size vehicle, although in a somewhat simplified form, the steerable front wheels being provided with king pins, stub axles and a track rod 39 located in front of the front axle.

Many older vehicles, however, had exposed suspension and steering gear with the track rod behind the axle, and models of these would not look correct if the steering arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 were used. Figure 13 shows in schematic perspective view an alternative arrangement to overcome this difficulty. It is more complicated than the arrangement shown in Figures 4 and 5 since the track rod has to move in the opposite direction to the slave magnet.

In the arrangement illustrated in Figure 13, the slave magnet 55 is pivotally connected to one end of a swing link 56 by a pin on the link pivoting in a hole in the magnet. When the magnet 55 deviates from the path the vehicle is following, it rotates the swing link 56 about a pivot pin 57 by means of which it is pivotally mounted in a stirrup-shaped supporting member 58 which is fixed to the underside of the body of the model vehicle. A slotted hole 59 is provided at the rear end of the swing link 56. A steering member 60 (corresponding to the steering member 36 of the embodiment of Figures 4 and 5) is adapted to pivot on the model at 61 and has a pin 62 which engages in the hole 59.

Thus, movement of the swing link 56 pushes the steering member 60 sideways about the pivot 61.

Another pin 63 at the front end of the member 60 engages in a slot 64 in the track rod 65 which car ries and is located behind the stub axles of the front wheels. Movement of the member 60 thus causes the track rod 65 to turn the wheels in the direction of the movement of the magnet.

Another possible arrangement is shown in sche matic perspective view in Figure 14. This may be more convenient than that of Figure 13 if the ground clearance of the model is very limited. In this case, a vertical swing link 66 is pivotally mounted on the model and has a pin 67 at its lower end engaging in a slotted hole 68 in the track rod 69. The swing link 66 will be hidden be neath the bonnet of the vehicle. The slave magnet 70 is in this case fitted to a steering member 71 in the manner shown in the arrangement of Figures 4 and 5. The front end 72 of the member 71 is cranked upwardly and has a pin 73 engaging in a slot 74 in the top of the swing link 66.

In all the arrangements, both those of Figures 13 and 14 and those of Figures 4 and 5 previously described, the wheels or tyres should have sufficient grip on the surface of the support to stop the model moving sideways. Also, all the components near the slave magnet should consist of non-magnetic material.

Three simplifications are possible, especially in the case of smaller models. The first is that the model does not have to be able to steer. It may be propelled by a slave magnet in the form of a single bar magnet trapped beneath the model. This will stay aligned with the master magnet, so that the model always points in the correct direction. Alternatively, it may be propelled by a slave magnet with a driving pin engaging with the front of the model. In both these cases, the wheels or tyres must be able to slip sideways while still having sufficient grip to rotate the wheels. Providing that relatively large radius bends only are used in the road system, it will not be noticeable that the front wheels are not steering. Sometimes the small bar slave magnets used move in a slightly jerky manner.The model vehicle can still be made to run smoothiy by trapping a small piece of sponge rubber between the magnet and the model. This acts as a damper. Increasing the weight of the model also helps.

The second simplification is for very small models, such as N Gauge. In this case, the models do not have to rotate or steer and the model may be directly moulded onto the slave magnet. The problem of jerky movement remains but this may to some extent be overcome by providing the face of the magnet with a friction-reducing material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

The third simplification is that with the small models, a single drive belt can be used to propel the models in either direction and on their correct side of the road, although vehicles cannot be propelled in both directions at the same time. In this case, a mounting for the master magnet on the drive belt is used in which a small magnet is used which is offset from the plane of the belt by slightly more than 1/4 of the road width, on one or other side of the belt. Such a mounting is shown in schematic perspective view in Figure 15. The magnet 75 is mounted in the required offset position with respect to the belt 19 in a non- magnetic discshaped holder 77 having a split stem 78 by means of which it is fixed to the belt by rivets 79. The weight of the magnet is counterbalanced by a weight 80, similarly offset to the other side of the belt 76. Alternatively, the disc-shaped holder 77 could be used in place of the master magnet 25 in the foating mounting arrangement of Figure 3. The holder 77 will be of larger diameter than the magnet 25 and a guide roller 34 of the same size as the holder 77 and a wider guide slot 14 will be necessary.

The holders are preferably mounted on the belt with the magnets alternately on one or the other side of the belt, so that for movement in a particu lar direction, the vehicles are coupled to magnets on the appropriate side of the road.

It is normal practice with model railway layouts to have a backscene, such as a hill or a row of houses, behind which the railway passes. This allows trains to be changed unseen by the viewer. If only one vehicle is travelling around the road circuit, the impression will be given that the driver is permanently lost. To avoid this and to give greater realism to the layout, means may be provided for automatically changing vehicles behind a backscene, so that when one vehicle disappears from sight at one end of the backscene, a different vehicle will emerge at the other end. The first vehicle will eventually reappear, as though it has been on a journey out of sight.

One such vehicle changing means is shown in Figures 16 to 18 of the drawings.

As shown in Figure 16, the changing means comprises at least one gate arrangement. In the embodiment illustrated, two such gate arrangements are shown, but the number which can be used is only limited by the space available. The gate arrangements are located on a straight section of the road system hidden behind a backscene (not shown), and each comprises a front gate 81 and a rear gate 82 (considered in the direction of movement of the belt running below the road), the gates being connected together at one end by a flat side member 83 (which may be formed integrally with one or both gates), and the gates extending across the width of the road.The side member of each gate arrangement is pivotally mounted at 84 on a support member 85 upstanding from the support 11, the height of the pivot 84 being such that pivoting of the side member can bring either the front or rear gate down to prevent passage of a vehicle, whilst at the same time the other gate is raised sufficiently to allow any vehicle to pass beneath it. The rear gate 82 is flat and vertical when in the lowered position, but the front gates 81 are curved around a radius from their respective pivot points 84 to avoid lifting the model vehicles when the gates are lifted to open.

At their upper parts, the side piates 83 of the gates are pivotally connected to a common bar 86 which is connected at each end through respective springs 87 to front and rear levers 88 and 89 respectively. These levers can move from one extreme position to another in a longitudinal slot in the support 11 to operate the gate arrangements to change vehicles, as will now be described.

When no vehicle is approaching, the front gates 81 will be open and the rear gates 82 closed, vehicles trapped within the changing means, being stopped by the rear gates. In order to operate the change mechanism, a striker (shown at c- in Figure 3) is fitted at the side of the belt pass 9 -^ìow the road, ahead of a master magnet m hicle. This striker hits the front lever caL 'n3 t t move the bar 86 to close the front gates 8 2i.C' open the rear gates 82. The vehicle moved by t xa master magnet is stopped by the first front gate 81.The master magnet moves on, however, to move each vehicle which was trapped behind a rear gate 82 until it is stopped by the next closed front gate 81, except for the last vehicle which is moved by the master magnet through the last rear gate 82 and travels round the circuit. Another striker 90 on the opposite side of the belt is fitted behind the master magnet to operate the rear lever 89 to close the rear gates 82 and open the front gates 81. Finally another master magnet which is not moving a vehicle round the circuit is fitted behind the second striker 90 and moves the vehicles forward until they are stopped by the now closed rear gates 82, ready for the next change.

The construction and operation of the rear lever 89 is shown in Figure 18. The lever is of U-shape so that it fits below the belt passing through a hole in the base board 10, and is pivotally mounted on both sides of the belt 19 at 91 on brackets 92 upstanding from the base 10. The longer arm 93 of the lever extends upwardly and the spring 87 is hooked into a hole 94 at the top. The striker 90 hits the shorter arm 95 of the lever to operate it. The straight front lever 88 is pivotally mounted on the support 11 at 76. It is operated by a striker 90 hitting the bottom of it at 96, so that it moves in the opposite direction to the lever 89.

Instead of the mechanical arrangement illustrated in Figure 18, solenoids triggered by magnetic switches operated by the master magnet could be used for operating the front and rear levers. The bar 86 can be replaced by any other elongate member, even a length of string.

A simpler alternative means for automatically changing vehicles behind a backscene, which can be used with small, non-steering vehicles, is shown in Figure 19. This consists of two guide walls 97 slightly further apart than the width of the vehicles. A number of very shallow humps 98 extend across the road as "sleeping policemen", only one being shown in the Figure. When a vehicle hits one of these humps, contact between the slave magnet and the master magnet is broken as the vehicle rides up the hump. As another vehicle completes the circuit to the first hump, it will run into the back of the stationary vehicle and push it over the hump, but stops on the hump itself. The master magnet which was carrying the second vehicle will then pick up the first vehicle and propel it round the circuit or into the back of a vehicle stationary at a next hump.As the speeds are low and the vehicles are light, no damage will be done to them.

When a waterway system is provided in addition to the raod system, special steering arrangements for the vehicles of this sytem are not required, so long as the vehicles float on the water. The slave magnet will move along the bottom of the container for the water forming the model river, canal or the like, its driving pin being arranged to engage in a hole near to the front of the model. The water is preferably coloured to hide the presence of the slave magnet. Apart from vehicles, models of water fowl, such as swans or ducks, can also be arranged to move along the waterway.

The magnetic principle may not only be used to give movement to practically any model on the layout, including not only vehicles but also people and animals, but it can also be used to provide occasional movements of a model stationed on or adjacent a road or waterway, such as, for example, a policeman signalling by raising his arm, or a fisherman lifting his rod, the movement being achieved by providing the movable part with a magnetic element which responds to the passage of a master magnet controlling a passing vehicle.

Since the attraction between the master and slave magnets of a set is strong, the magnets exert a considerable pressure on the surfaces over which they move. In order to reduce wear and friction, the surfaces of both the master and slave magnets which move in rubbing contact with the support may therefore be coated with a friction- and wearreducing material, such as polytetrafluoroethylene.

Claims (19)

1. A model terrain layout arranged on a substantially flat non-magnetic support, and including a simulated road and optionally also a waterway system, wherein means are provided for moving a plurality of permanent magnets acting as master magnets, along predetermined paths formed in or by said support below said road system, and said waterway system when present, each said master magnet being magnetically coupled through at least a relatively thin part of said support to respective slave magnets located beneath models of vehicles or other road or waterway users, whereby said models are constrained to move along the road or waterway system in conformity with the movement of said master magnets along said paths, said means for moving said master magnets comprising at least one drive arrangement, in which a continuous flexible drive member carrying said master magnets is mounted for movement parallel to said support around a plurality of rotatable members, one of said rotatable members being driven and one of said rotatable members being located at each bend or corner in the road or waterway system beneath which the drive arrangement is located.

2. A layout as claimed in CLaim 1, wherein said flexible drive member is a vertically arranged belt, and said rotatable members are pulleys, the master magnets being carried on the upper edge of said belt.

3. A layout as claimed in Claim 1, wherein said flexible drive member is a vertically arranged chain and said rotatable members are sprocket wheels, the master magnets being carried on the upper edge of said chain.

4. A layout as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said support is itself supported in spaced parallel relationship on a base, said means for moving the master magnet being located in the interspace between said support and said base.

5. A layout as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, including both a road and a waterway system, wherein a drive arrangement allocated to said waterway system is driven from a rotatable member of the drive arrangement allocated to said road system through reduction gearing, whereby models are constrained to move on said waterway system at a lower speed than models on said road system.

6. A layout as claimed in Claim 2, or in Claim 4, or Claim 5, as dependent thereon, wherein each said master magnet is fixed on the top of a split stem embracing and fixed to the top of said belt.

7. A layout as claimed in Claim 2 or in Claim 4 or Claim 5, as dependent thereon, wherein each said master magnet is mounted for vertical floating movement on the top of said belt.

8. A layout as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said master magnet and a horizontally rotating roller are mounted at opposite end portions of a plate itself mounted for free vertical, rotational and tilting movements on a vertical stem fixed to the top of the belt, said magnet being urged against the underside of the road system in said track by a compression spring surrounding said pin.

9. A layout as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims including a backscene, wherein means are provided for automatically changing vehicles on said road system located behind said backscene.

10. A layout as claimed in Claim 9, wherein said automatic vehicle changing means are located on a straight stretch of said road system located behind said backscene and comprise at least one change arrangement having a front and rear gate, (considered in the direction of movement of a belt or chain below said stretch of road) said gates extending across the road and being spaced apart and connected at one end thereof, each said arrangement being pivotally mounted on said support in such manner that the front and rear gates can alternately be moved towards the road to block movement of a vehicle therealong, and away from said road to allow a vehicle to pass beneath the gate, and means for operating said vehicle change arrangement or arrangements under the influence of a master magnet passing under said stretch of road to temporarily retain a vehicle behind said backscene.

11. A layout as claimed in Claim 10, wherein said arrangement or arrangements are operated by movement of front and rear levers.

12. A layout as claimed in Claim 11, wherein movement of said levers is effected mechanically by strikers on the belt striking said levers to move them.

13. A layout as claimed in Claim 11, wherein movement of said levers is effected by means of solenoids triggered by the passage of master magnets below said stretch of road.

14. A layout as claimed in Claim 9, comprising two guard members extending along said stretch of road and spaced apart by a distance slightly greater than the width of a model vehicle, and at least one hump extending in the form of a "sleeping policeman" across the road between said guard members, the height of the or each said hump being sufficient to cause magnetic disconnection of a master magnet and the slave magnet of the vehicle crossing the hump.

15. A model terrain layout substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in Figure 1 to 3, and Figures 15 to 19 of the drawings.

16. An assembly comprising a model terrain layout as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 13 and a plurality of model vehicles provided with slave magnets for co-operation with master magnets moving in paths below the road system.

17. A steering model vehicle suitable for use in an assembly as claimed in Claim 16, provided with independent steering means operable to turn the front wheels of the vehicle on lateral movement of a slave magnet carried by the vehicle, such as occurs when the vehicle is constrained to turn a corner or bend on the model terrain layout of the assembly.

18. A model vehicle as claimed in Claim 17, wherein said steering means comprises a steering member extending below the vehicle and mounted thereon for lateral movement about a pivot point located at the rear end of said member, a slave magnet rotatably mounted adjacent the front end of said member and the front end of said member having means for engaging a track rod, forming part of the turning mechanism for the front weheels, to move the track rod to turn said wheels on lateral movement of the slave magnet.

19. A model vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, or Figures 6 and 7, or Figures 8,9 10a and 10b, or Figures 11 and 12, or Figure 13, or Figure 14, of the drawings.