Extremely Tiny Model Train Christmas Ornament

A tiny model train ornament powered by a hidden magnetic drive, custom electronics, and a loop that never quite ends.

Sean Hodgins

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Description

Check out the video! - https://youtu.be/DlL3AunnM_I

This project explores fitting a complete model train system inside a Christmas ornament. The original concept used an electronically driven track, but testing showed reliability and complexity didn’t scale well, leading to a design pivot.

The final version uses a mechanical magnetic drive. A belt-driven mechanism moves a magnet beneath the track, and the train follows above. An Adafruit ESP32 Feather V2 controls motion and lighting, with wireless LEDs for modular scene lighting and a DotStar strip used as a simple sky simulator.

Details

Watch the video!

Files

idler_pulley_center_8mm_14.stl Standard Tesselated Geometry - 480.94 kB - 12/27/2025 at 15:35		Download
Lake.stl Standard Tesselated Geometry - 44.42 kB - 12/27/2025 at 15:35		Download
LED Hoop and Leg.stl Standard Tesselated Geometry - 589.83 kB - 12/27/2025 at 15:35		Download
idler_pulley_right_8mm_22.stl Standard Tesselated Geometry - 412.88 kB - 12/27/2025 at 15:35		Download
Tree Three.stl Standard Tesselated Geometry - 16.88 kB - 12/27/2025 at 15:35		Download

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Components

1 × Neodymium Magnet, 1/16" thick, 0.1" OD https://www.mcmaster.com/5862K426/
1 × Neodymium Magnet, 1/16" thick, 1/16" OD https://www.mcmaster.com/5862K137/
20 × M2 × 10 mm plastic threading screws
20 × M2 × 8 mm plastic threading screws
4 × 3x8x4mm bearings - 693-2Z https://www.mcmaster.com/7804K126/

View all 11 components

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Extremely Tiny Model Train Christmas Ornament

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Description

Details

Files

idler_pulley_center_8mm_14.stl

Lake.stl

LED Hoop and Leg.stl

idler_pulley_right_8mm_22.stl

Tree Three.stl

Components

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