HexTracks - Modular Train Tracks Starter Set - Free 3D Print Model

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Designol

Toys & Games>Construction Sets

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A1 mini

H2D Pro

P1S

H2D

P1P

P2S

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X1E

X1 Carbon

H2C

H2S

A2L

A1 Mini

Designer

12.8 h

14 plates

5.0(13)

X1 and P1 series

Designer

11.8 h

14 plates

4.8(21)

Open in Bambu Studio

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374

996

589

230

Released

Description

HexTracks - Economic rail set compatible with Brio trains

Brio tracks and trains have been sold since 1958. Their great design has contributed to their popularity to this day. Many designers have reverse engineered, upgraded, or created new tracks compatible with the system. However, the design is old and adapted to woodworking and CNC routing. It was time to create a new system compatible with Brio trains that is suited for 3D printing and fixes the flaws of the original design.

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Fix #1 - Symmetrical Connection

The original Brio tracks have two sides: male and female, which connect together. This design is easy to manufacture but causes issues when two male or two female ends face each other. HexTracks fixes this problem by using a symmetrical connection on both ends of every track. When two of these connections meet, they attach together and secure the rails.

Fix #2 - Thin Track

Next, the original tracks are double-sided, and thick. For 3D printing, this represents a lot of wasted material. The reason they are double-sided is to allow the male/female connection to be in the right orientation while still turning the desired way. However, as seen above, HexTracks don't have this issue, allowing for single-sided and thinner tracks, reducing filament usage by 31% per track.

Fix #3 - Split track

To split the track, the Brio system merges two tracks together. When running an electric train, this design increases the risk of derailment. To prevent this from happening, HexTracks uses a guiding system (green part in the picture below) to direct the train in the desired direction. It can be adjusted manually or triggered by a train coming from the opposite direction. Everything is printed in place, requiring no assembly or hardware.

Fix #4 - System geometry

Finally, the Brio system uses a lot of different parts. While this may not be a huge problem, I wanted to make it more intuitive. That’s why HexTracks uses only two types of track: straight and curve. To ensure they always align properly, they follow a system based on a 140mm hexagon. There are many combinations of straight and curved tracks within a single hexagon, allowing for unique track designs. For this starter set, I selected the 12 combinations I found to be the most useful.

Compability

Looking for a train that matches the esthetic of Hextracks? Check this link below:

Futuristic Electric Train

If you are interested in the HexTracks project but still want to enjoy your Brio tracks, you can print the Brio to Hextracks adapter and enjoy both your rails sets.

HexTracks to Brio adapter

HexTracks Lite

During the development of this project, I created a lighter version of HexTracks with added grip for trains with plastic wheels. I named this variation HexTracks Lite. Unfortunately, this design was problematic when merging tracks together, but I still wanted to share the straight and the curve. If you are interested into printing these, you can click on the link below.

HexTracks Lite

If you have any questions about HexTracks, please leave them in the comments below, I will answer as soon as I can.

Enjoy!

Comment & Rating (94)

@coltmort

Boosted

Print Profile

X1 and P1 series

This should have won the contest in my opinion. The quality of the pieces, the connections, the hexagon based system. Awesome. I will probably get rid of my fake brio set and replace it with this. I’ve already printed 20+ pieces with 3 more printing right now. Other tracks that I have printed take so much filament that it’s cheaper to buy the cheap wood sets for the basic pieces. but these are less than $0.30 if you buy 4 rolls of bambu filament at a time. Amazing! And thank you for sharing!

The profile uploader has replied

@designol

Thanks a lot! I may not have won the contest, but seeing people like you enjoy the tracks is the best reward I could get!

(Edited)

@designol

Also, you can print the lite version for the basic straight and curve rails, they use even less plastic! Check this link: https://makerworld.com/fr/models/1135184-hextracks-lite#profileId-1136258

(Edited)

@user_2205423708

Boosted

Amazing! My two years old kid (almost 3) can assemble this easily, just the pulling appart is a bit more challenging. But being a very tight fit is a hige bonus, you can lift the whole track and it will stay mostly attached. The switch design is amazing. Bambu studio warns there is a floating cantilever, but just ignore it, it prints perfectly. The hex design works like a puzzle, the kid has to find the right piece to fit and complete the track. I loved it. I've printed some pieces so far and I'm looking to print much more. The adapter also allows to connect with whatever existing track you have.

(Edited)

The designer has replied

@designol

Thanks a lot for your feedback! I'm really glad to hear your kid enjoys the tracks.

@user_604134662

Boosted

Great, my granddaughter is crazy about them, I also printed the box for her to keep them. Highly recommended

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@user_1111309917

May I ask if the train model in the picture is also 3D printed, and could you share the model link?

@user_604134662

Boosted

Replying to @user_1111309917 :

Good morning, no no it is not 3D printed these are the two models I bought: https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0BXM59XQ8?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title https://www.amazon.es/dp/B0FPLPD9J7?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title In case it is of interest, a friend sent me this link to a very nice diversion: https://makerworld.com/es/models/1839879-cubeuni-railroad-track-switch-brio-lillabo#profileId-1965398 Greetings

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@Patlach13

Boosted

Print Profile

X1 and P1 series

A stunning model train track, only the train itself is missing for completion

The profile uploader has replied

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@designol

I will post the train in the coming days

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@user_3941287786

Boosted

Replying to @designol :

Hi. Could you please post a diagram or something of the hex system as it relates to this track? I'm just not grasping it.

@MaxiMoo12

Print Profile

A1 Mini

fits my Tokyo train perfectly!!

The profile uploader has replied

@designol

That's great! Hope you will enjoy the tracks!

(Edited)

@user_3149910733

Print Profile

A1 Mini

Look good 👍

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@petrusgomes

Boosted

Print Profile

A1 Mini

Great design! My son loves it. Thanks! If you open to new extensions somehow, it would be awesome. The connection is much better than Brio's for 3d printing!

@stormer47

Boosted

I absolutely love these. My kids and I have a lot of fun playing with them. I love these so much I want to print them at smaller sizes just to use as a puzzle to enjoy combining together!

The designer has replied

@designol

That’s a great idea! Glad your kids love it!

@stormer47

Boosted

Replying to @designol :

That's a free one! If you build this, I'll be sure to boost it!

@designol

Replying to @stormer47 :

Actually you could simply scale them down in bambu studio! No need for a new model

@user_604134662

Boosted

I love it, I'm new to this topic and I really liked it, I already have the printer working. I'll dare to try the train soon. Do any colleagues have designs of assembled circuits already made? Thank you very much, my granddaughter will love it.

(Edited)