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A small HO turntable

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A small HO turntable
Posted by NevinW on Sunday, January 10, 2010 2:02 PM
I needed a small 65 foot HO turntable with indexing capability. I looked at all sorts of ideas including kitbashing and Atlas turntable, but I discovered that Firebox Models makes a resin conversion with side girders and wooden deck that is made to fit the N scale Walthers 130 foot turntable. I completed the conversion last night and it looks great and runs fine. It would be useful for HOn3, Sn3 and On30 too. It also just fits into the space I allocated for a turntable. Looks just like the Tonopah and Goldfield RR turntable at Goldfield. I am very pleased with it. - Nevin
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Posted by oldline1 on Sunday, January 10, 2010 6:41 PM

Nevin, 

I have 2 of the Walthers N scale 130' tables I rebuilt for my HO standard gauge layout. I simply removed the N scale deck assembly with the 2 screws and rebuilt the deck with new HO ties and code 83 rail. I used basswood for the wood decking. One represents a manual table with the push poles at each end. The other is at my main engine facility and represents an electrically powered  version. I built a small operators shack on one end and used the N scale center power arch assy as such (slightly widened). Both have proven to operate reliably and fit my needs perfectly.

I'm not familiar with Firebox Models. Do you have an address for them?

Thanks,

Roger Huber

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Posted by MudHen_462 on Sunday, January 10, 2010 7:34 PM

Any photos of your projects???

Bob 

 

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Posted by Oakhurst Railroad Engineer on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:54 AM

IronGoat

Any photos of your projects???

Bob 

Yes photos would be great!

My Atlas turntable: http://www.oakhurstrailroad.com/Turntable%20web.htm 

However, I'd like to see other options for the future.

Thanks,

Marty

Tags: Turntables

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Posted by 1948PRR on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 12:12 PM

Interesting idea. How long is that N scale 130' table bridge? What does that scale to in HO?

Is the N version the same design as the HO?

I have an HO 90', and don't care much for the design. I've heard the 130' is much better.

 

Thanks.

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Posted by andrechapelon on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 1:09 PM

1948PRR

Interesting idea. How long is that N scale 130' table bridge? What does that scale to in HO?

Is the N version the same design as the HO?

I have an HO 90', and don't care much for the design. I've heard the 130' is much better.

 

Thanks.

130' in N works out to 70' and a few inches in HO. SP had a 70' turntable in Pacific Grove and it could turn  P-6 Pacifcs used on the postwar "Del Monte" after they were equipped with short 9,000 gal rectangular tenders. Otherwise, the largest locomotives used on the Monterey Branch beyond the balloon track at Fort Ord were Harriman Standard 2-8-0's.

That should give you some idea of what will fit.

Andre

You're pretty

It's really kind of hard to support your local hobby shop when the nearest hobby shop that's worth the name is a 150 mile roundtrip.
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Posted by kansaspacific1 on Tuesday, January 12, 2010 6:46 PM

fireboxmodels.com

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Posted by Bob grech on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 10:21 PM

 To model my 65 foot turntable. I scratch built a gallows frame over an Atlas mechanism. The pit was covered using strip wood weathered with alcohol and India ink.

 

 

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by maxman on Thursday, January 14, 2010 2:46 PM

Bob grech
To model my 65 foot turntable. I scratch built a gallows frame over an Atlas mechanism.

A couple of question about your coversion, which looks neat by the way.

Does the Atlas turntable require any sort of a pit to get it to sit at the proper level on the table?  Fro your picture it looks like the table is recessed.  Or are the lead tracks built up to a level that matches the table track level?

Also, how is the track attached to the turntable?  Are the rails in grooves, or is it a piece of track just sitting in place.  I have need of an HOn3 turntable and am wondering how easy it would be to replace what the table comes with is attached.  The original poster's idea of modifying the Walthers table looked good until I got to the Walthers turntable price.

Thanks

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Posted by MudHen_462 on Thursday, January 14, 2010 3:50 PM

 

Marty and Bob Greech: Thanks for posting photos of your turntables... I'm always interested in seeing build and bash jobs of other builders T/T's. Here is my feeble attempt at a bash job on an Atlas HO scale turntable.

 

 

 

Bob/Iron Goat

 

 

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Posted by Geared Steam on Thursday, January 14, 2010 5:49 PM

IronGoat
Here is my feeble attempt at a bash job on an Atlas HO scale turntable.

 

Looks great to me Bob, here is mine, I need to finish the edges and the shack.


"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Bob grech on Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:22 PM

maxman

Bob grech
To model my 65 foot turntable. I scratch built a gallows frame over an Atlas mechanism.

A couple of question about your coversion, which looks neat by the way.

Does the Atlas turntable require any sort of a pit to get it to sit at the proper level on the table?  Fro your picture it looks like the table is recessed.  Or are the lead tracks built up to a level that matches the table track level?

Also, how is the track attached to the turntable?  Are the rails in grooves, or is it a piece of track just sitting in place.  I have need of an HOn3 turntable and am wondering how easy it would be to replace what the table comes with is attached.  The original poster's idea of modifying the Walthers table looked good until I got to the Walthers turntable price.

Thanks

 Yes. My turntable was placed in a recessed cutout in order to match the height of the lead tracks. As far as the rails, They are set into grooved slots. Mine came with code 83 rails. However, I removed and replaced those with code 70 by simply pulling off the existing ones with two new code 70  rails.

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by Bob grech on Thursday, January 14, 2010 9:23 PM

 Nice work Bob. I really like your stone work. Can you provide info on what you used to make them.

Have Fun.... Bob.

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Posted by MudHen_462 on Thursday, January 14, 2010 10:11 PM

Thanks, Bob...  I used Dr. Ben's Baby Bloc's (link below) to build the wall, and Plastistruct "Diamond Tread Steel Plate" sheets to form the steel cat-walk around the perimeter of the T/T.

The photo should show how both the block wall was put in place, as well as the steel cat-walk area. I covered the original T/T deck with (driftwood stain) weathered bass wood strips, and scratch built the little shed that covers the Atlas motor area. Since the small Montana RR that I model only used their turntable to "turn" their two small locomotives, there is just one approach/departure track.I hope this helps...   Bob/Iron Goat

http://www.debenllc.com/servlet/the-Doctor-Ben's-Scale-Consortium-cln--dsh--Scale-Building-Material/Categories

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Posted by MisterBeasley on Friday, January 15, 2010 6:56 AM

IronGoat
Any photos of your projects???

Bob 

I took a different approach, burying the Atlas mechanism and making a pit turntable:

Here's a link to the photo-essay about doing this:

http://cs.trains.com/trccs/forums/t/99558.aspx?PageIndex=1

 

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

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Posted by MudHen_462 on Friday, January 15, 2010 4:48 PM

Excellent modeling, Mr. B !!! I also took the tour of your photo-essay link and found it extremely interesting... there's a lot of great info there.

Thanks for sharing...   Bob/Iron Goat

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Posted by Grampy1 on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 4:42 PM

Nice Turntables. Looking for ideas right now. My TT can only be about 8" Dia., so lots of research is in order. Thinking of doing a gallows scratch build. Any info or links would be helpful. Smile

Geared is the way to tight radius and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Misty Loggers" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs5qJPRumLA
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Posted by Grampy1 on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 4:44 PM

Definitely worth reading. Thanks for posting.

Geared is the way to tight radius and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Misty Loggers" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs5qJPRumLA
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Posted by Geared Steam on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 5:59 PM

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by PASMITH on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 6:12 PM
Bob grech

 To model my 65 foot turntable. I scratch built a gallows frame over an Atlas mechanism. The pit was covered using strip wood weathered with alcohol and India ink.

 

 

NICE! Peter Smith, Memphis
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Posted by MudHen_462 on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 7:10 PM

Geared Steam:   Excellent build on yout T/T, it's amazing how many great looking (bashed) turntables have spring from the little Atlas!   Once again... well done!

Bob/Iron Goat 

 

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Posted by Geared Steam on Thursday, January 21, 2010 8:01 PM

Bob

Thank you kindly, I spent several hours looking at yours,(2guyz) Bob Grech's and Furlow's for ideas, it was on of the most enjoyable projects I have done, I need to finish it. Big Smile

 

 

 

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Grampy1 on Friday, January 22, 2010 10:32 AM

Excellent pictures and great link. Thanks. Smile

Geared is the way to tight radius and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Misty Loggers" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs5qJPRumLA
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Posted by MudHen_462 on Friday, January 22, 2010 3:05 PM

Geared Steam:  I believe that when we model we are standing on the shoulders of the modelers before us, and that is certainly true in my case. I started my Atlas T/T project after seeing Doug Coffee's thread on his "Atlas Turntable Makeover". (There are three photos in his first post) After seeing those... I was hopelessly "hooked" on the project.  Good luck on your project...

 
Bob/Iron Goat
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Posted by Geared Steam on Friday, January 22, 2010 7:14 PM

 Bob

Yes, I'm familiar with Doug's build as well, probably from one of your past links to it. He's a great modeler MHO.

Grampy1, keep us posted on your progress.

"The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination."-Albert Einstein

http://gearedsteam.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Grampy1 on Friday, January 22, 2010 10:14 PM

I'll try. The camera is acting funny lately, so pic's might be difficult for awhile. Have cut an old TT that was damaged down to size and reinforced it. Now to to find the mechanism I was going to use. I put it away last month so I wouldn't forget it, guess what? Sign - Oops Once I get that then it'll be mock-up time to see if my idea will work.

Geared is the way to tight radius and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Misty Loggers" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs5qJPRumLA
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Posted by Grampy1 on Thursday, January 28, 2010 8:43 AM

I lucked out. A friend had an Atlas TT that he'd modified into a pit TT with an upside down bridge. We made a swap. It's working great, so I think what I'll do is cover the bridge deck with planking that I cut to scale and also cover the approaches with planking. Guess I could also cover the sides of the deck with planking to make it look like a wooden TT bridge and then add a gallows. Hmmm, decisions. Smile

Geared is the way to tight radius and steep grades. Ghost River Rwy. "The Misty Loggers" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rs5qJPRumLA
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Posted by MudHen_462 on Thursday, January 28, 2010 1:01 PM

Sounds like a winner, Grampy...  keep us up to date (photos when you can, please ...)

Bob/Iron Goat

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