Z Scale moving roadway/highway

Ever since I seen Loren's moving highway I was interested in doing something along the lines in a layout of mine.  I think that opened up much more to me seeing some animation since mostly the larger scales animation adds so much more realism.  You could spend hours going through YouTube viewing animations in larger scale train layouts.  And with some fantastic ideas too.  So, my ideas came about earlier this year when my 11 year old grandson received a few KNEX building kits for 2022 Christmas.  He received a roller coaster and a Ferris wheel.  Interesting thing is that they come with motors to help spin the kits.  The motors in the kits, I thought would easily work for a running roadway, my thoughts were to put one in a three straight T Trak-Z module, simple but should add an interesting affect.  So about the middle of August 2023 I started my research on what I could to accomplish this test project.  By the end of August, I found there is a mountable KNEX motor, gears, and a chain system, that would be cheaper than buying a few of the commercialized train roadway products on the market.  So after a few weeks on watching videos of guys making a moving highway with bike chains which I thought was big and bulky for a triple straight T Trak-Z module.  I started to create a wish list of what (parts) I thought I would need to accomplish my test project.  Well after about $55.00 to $60.00 of parts, I think I have everything I need for a basic loop/oval. 

 

Okay, so my shopping started with a motor with a forward/reverse control with mounts, a couple sections of adjustable chain, some red/yellow 2" gears, some 1" gears for tighter turns, some railers, and some 3mm by 1mm super magnets.

Instead of me possibly ruining a T Trak-Z module I decided to build a mock foam board triple straight module.  At Hobby Lobby, I bought a 1/2" foam board for the sides and a 1/4" foam board for the top.  I already had some spare 1" and 1/2" square wood that I could use for the foam board module support.  I used the Weldbond glue, and it worked out great.  The photo below shows the last of the side being glued down, for the corners and other side supports I did use clamps to help hold everything in place.

 

 

I drilled the track screw holes because if everything goes well I could still use this as a module for the layout.  I am also setting the motor placement for the back halve of the module where the roadway/highway will run.  I may have to make some supports for the middle of the T Trak-Z module so it does not break when too much pressure is applied.  Personally I think the foam board for a T Trak-Z module could work depending on how much scenery is placed on the module.  Behind the motor is a small piece of foam to help control the motor rattle.  I also used wide washers to help hold the motor in place since the foam board is not sturdy enough.  In the above photo, I used two washers underneath to help level the motor.