The Wizard of Clocks: The Train Clock

	This delightful clock was the second of Rick's two entries in the year 2000 National Horological Crafts Competition. In the novelty clock category, his domino clock took first place and this train clock took second. Pretty impressive for his first time ever showing his clocks. The entire clock is shaped like the front end of a locomotive. The clock has a digital time display in the center. Every hour a small locomotive comes out and circles around a number of times equal to the hour.
In the original design, the locomotive relied on electricity supplied through the track- just like the typical home train set. However, the track would get a little dirty and the train would not run. Rick solved this problem by reworking the little locomotive and putting a magnet underneath the track. It is the magnet that pulls the little locomotive around reliably on its hourly rounds.
I wonder if perhaps Rick was inspired by the children's story of "The Little Engine That Could."

Please note that Rick's clock designs are legally protected and cannot be copied.