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New Turntable for the N Scale ACTRR

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  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
New Turntable for the N Scale ACTRR
Posted by mfifer on Sunday, December 7, 2008 6:31 PM

I had a brain storm today and decided to get rid of the CMR table I had and put in a Walthers indexed table. I will keep you all updated as the progress continues and the outcome of the table operation.

This was before

Wet scenery to remove buildings and track.

Track and buildings removed and old table removed.

New table test fit into place and seems to fit fine.

This is from the south end of the yard.

I will be trying to get it mounted and operational then weather it with some chalks.
Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • 533 posts
Posted by CascadeBob on Monday, December 8, 2008 7:16 AM

I'm building an N-scale layout and I'm considering installing a Walthers built-up N-scale turntable and roundhouse.  I assume this is the Walthers turntable that you're installing.  I'll be very interested in your experience with the installation and operation of this turntable.  I've read on this forum that the new Walthers turntable, at least in HO, is an excellent piece of equipment.  Keep us posted on your progress and experience.

Bob

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: NYC
  • 551 posts
Posted by corsair7 on Monday, December 8, 2008 7:31 AM

Looks good. I can't wait to see the finished product.

Irv

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Monday, December 8, 2008 5:54 PM

Thanks Bob and Hi Irv .

Here is a pic of the installed table and temp wired.

It seems to work real well so far.

 

Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • 533 posts
Posted by CascadeBob on Monday, December 8, 2008 6:05 PM

Mike,

Nice installation job.  Looks very much like the prototype.  How are you going to paint the pit?  Did you have to shim the track to get it to the proper level to meet the track on the bridge?  What track are you using?

Thanks for the info.,

Bob

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Monday, December 8, 2008 8:58 PM

Bob , I have yet to mount any track up to it and am using Peco 55. It looks as though I will have to grind off the lower rail base to get it right.

I intend to just weather the pit with Chalks. I may use graphite on the pivot shaft and the gear teeth in the pit.

Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 9:34 PM

Here are a couple of pictures of the progress.
The shortened Atlas Roundhouse had to go as it was too wide with the 15deg angles.
I took a modern Walthers house (10deg.) and shortened both ends for a total length of 8" and then angled one wall of the Walthers Machine Shop and moved the smoke stack from the side to where you see the base now in the picture to decrease the over all width of both structures and I should now have room for some extra tracks off the table.
As you can see I need to do some more scenery removal to fit them.

Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    January 2006
  • 149 posts
Posted by nik_n_dad on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 9:33 PM
Hi. We're pretty new to the hobby and therefore are pretty dense when it comes to a number of topics. We too are planning on using the 130' indexed walthers turntable. Out problem has been making that AND the modern roundhouse to fit. I'm intrigued by your "shortening" the walls to make the modern roundhouse smaller. Can you share a little more detail on that here or in an email? Thanks!
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 11:11 PM

Nik , I would love too as I proceed , but rather than something to explain it is more something I do as I go. I took two windows length out of one end and one out of the other and from there on it is a pain of fitting and cutting down every part.

Thanks , Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Friday, December 19, 2008 2:05 PM

Here they are with shortening and angling complete and roofs cut and constructed.
This is no easy task as every piece has to be cut seperately and shortened. Also a template of the floor was made to use for the layout cutouts for the pits in the roundhouse and the pits were shortened and installed.
They are now ready for paint and them final construction.




Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Las Cruces New Mexico
  • 275 posts
Posted by mfifer on Sunday, December 21, 2008 11:49 AM

Here they are out of the paint shop and some details added. I need to put more on and weather and install tracks. Then I should be ready to go.


Mike

“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” -- John Lennon

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