Wood Train Castle Drawbridge Brio, Ikea, etc

Update #3 - 10/28/2025:
I had a couple people mention to me that the gearbox spool broke and requested to make it stronger for the little ones that are a bit rougher on things. I updated the gearbox so the hex drive is its own part. This allows the Hex to be printed on one face and the shear load is no longer relying on Z-axis adhesion. I have updated the V2 profile to V2.1 which incorporates this change. I also added a print profile specifically for the stronger gearbox (titled: Gearbox strength update). Use this profile if you have already printed V2 or V1 and want a stronger gearbox.

The assembly of the new gear box is the same as the previous design. Be sure to put the Hex drive in the spool first so the gearbox can be placed in the gantry and then the spools inserted into the gearbox:

Update #2 - 7/9/2025:

After a stuck train incident in our house, I revisited the lower tunnel to make it higher. This took 3 separate parts down to 2. If you have already printed V1 but want to upgrade to V2, there is a specific print profile that contains the 2 new parts you need to print (titled: Conversion from V1 to V2) . If you have not printed this at all yet, there is a version 2 full print profile available (titled: Draw bridge castle Version 2!).

Update #1 - 4/11/2025:

I have added an additional profile for the landing top which has a male track connector piece on it. This was requested by a few folks. I finally found some time to play around with it. Enjoy and thank you everyone for the support!

Original Description:

This draw bridge castle compatible with Brio, ikea, lidl, etc. 

Assembly is very simple. There are 3 print profiles in total. The first and longest profile is for the castle and draw bridge parts. The other 2 are for landscape around the castle. One is a moat and the other is a 4 lane track. Neither are needed for the draw bridge to work but they do complete the look and allow for some customization.

Hardware/additional parts

• Some glue is recommended on the gearbox assembly.
• Small string 38" long (less than 6mm or ¼" diameter) will work. In the photos of the model, I used masonry line as its what I had on hand.

Assembly:

Step 1: Start with the gearbox and gantry base.

Place the gear inside the bottom section and ensure no glue gets in this area.

Apply your favorite glue to use for PLA on the pegs of the bottom piece. Place the top on.

Next apply glue to the pegs and base of gear box. Place the gear box and pegs on the gantry base

Step 2:

Take the completed assembly from step 1 and place the gantry on top of the base

Apply some glue to the hex drive on the side spools. Insert them through the gantry window and into the gear box. I like to make sure the holes in the side spools are aligned.

Step 3:

The last step is really final assembly of everything else. Only the gear box and top gantry assembly steps are crucial to follow when gluing parts on. For the string, put it through the bridge first and then up to the side spools. Use your favorite knot style to affix the string to the side spools.

Use the spools on either side to raise and lower the bridge. The bridge will stay in the up position as well!