How does the Motorway System Work?

[cody6268]

I've been aware of the Matchbox Motorway sets for quite some time, but haven't really known how they work. From the looks of the box, I thought the cars worked like slot cars, and were motorized, but apparently not.

Just how does the Motorway System work?

Would about $70 be too much to pay for a complete great condition set, except for the fact that the guide pins look to be messed up?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

A long continuous coil spring is placed within a plastic channel, a car with a pin stuck to the base is placed above the spring and the pin can slot into the coils spacings. Motorise this spring with a cogged drive and the cars will move along the track, its like a slot car system but the spring in the track is powered instead of the cars.

No, $70 seems a good price to me.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[Idris]

Each of the two lanes contains a very long spring, joined at the ends to form a loop. A large nylon cog engages with the spring and pushes it round. Each vehicle has a long plastic pin stuck to the underside, and this pin is long is long enough to engage with the spring. Thus, as the spring moves, the cars move. Furthermore, the distance between the cars remains constant, so avoiding crashes.

[zBret]

Here's a good video on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTEa2dPvI30

Furthermore, the distance between the cars remains constant, so avoiding crashes.

Found this vid also. Similar concept, except this manufacture included a roundabout ..for those who like crashes
Apparently this set, is quite rare.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su_bMdUeI84

zBret

[motorman]

Thanks for the links zBret. I love to see the sets in action, brilliant!!

[johnboy]

Very nice videos and it was nice to see Husky's and Matchbox sharing the road too. (Thunderclap Newman! that brought back a few memories).

[motorman]

(Thunderclap Newman! that brought back a few memories).

I had you as a young buck JB!!

[johnboy]

(Thunderclap Newman! that brought back a few memories).

I had you as a young buck JB!!

I was young in the 60s but also with an older sister who played records 24 hours a day

[motorman]

(Thunderclap Newman! that brought back a few memories).

I had you as a young buck JB!!

I was young in the 60s but also with an older sister who played records 24 hours a day

OMG You are an old godger JB!!

[ford_a_30]

Just how does the Motorway System work?

I have played with mine a few times, and I can tell you it is loud, (the springs make noise as they go around), it binds up every now and then(2 sets same issues) and if you try to run too many cars on it it stretches the spring.
It is pretty cool thing to have though. Both sets I have have fair boxes and no cars, but are otherwise complete, one set me back $30 and one was $25. They seem to go up and down in price on Ebay. I also have an extension set that has never been out of the wrapper ($10) and one of those round-a-bout things that doesn't work from old grease being put into it.
The US sets seem to come with the transformer but I see many of the UK sets do not. Something to think about if you want to play with it (even once)