Turntables

[Pauls4]

I have a Walthers Turntable (90 foot), I cannot get it operating smoothly. I have tried adjusting the gear alignment, greasing the gears and using voltages from 6 to 12 volts but it is very "jerky" . Does anyone have a suggeation?

[Anonymous]

Send Walthers your question via email, I would like to here how they respond because I just bought one and have not yet installed it.

[Anonymous]

I am surprized they left such a crucial thing as gear alignment to be measured with a ruler by us, not by assembling it for us or sending along a plastic measuring jig. I have the same problem, but have moved on to other issues. I was planning on revisiting the TT today.
One thing I found, the turntable must sit absolutely FLAT, with out any binding AT ALL on any side. The plastic TT floor bends easily, and can cause binding. Mine didn't seem to want to bind in the same spot, because I was holding it in one hand, turning it with the other. It must set in a hole that does not quite touch any side. Also, a more powerful motor might spin relieably at slower speeds, but why we would have to do that on a new TT is beyond me. I used LaBelle's plastic compatible grease with teflon, to no avail. So, the binding must be elsewhere. Please share any help you get from Walther's.
Dean

[Pauls4]

10 days and 2 e-mails later - no help from Walthers other than acknowledging receipt of my e-mails.

[Anonymous]

I have the same problem with the same turntable. Mine is also EXTREMELY noisy. For what it's worth, I e-mailed Walthers about it several months back, and was given a phone number to call. Unfortunately, they were no help at all. The guy I talked to was not courteous, and basically told me the kit is only going to perform about so well, and he couldn't offer any help. He wasn't a bit friendly and clearly didn't want to visit about it. If anybody has any further advice, I'd sure like to hear what it is. And if anybody else gets in touch with Walthers customer service, pass along to them that their customer service relating to this issue has not been good. It makes a person less than interested in buying anything else of theirs, and I think they need to know that.

[Anonymous]

Don't know if this will really be of help, as i am still the novice, but . . . i just purchased the Kalmbach publication "Locomotive Servicing Terminals" by Marty McGuirk and on pages 42 through 45 he discusses the reality of your (and it would seem many other folks) experience with turntable "reliability". What may be good news is that he has discovered something that works (according to him and a few other people) although you will need make an additional investment. Certain it would be something akin to copywrite violation to quote and since it is just something I have read and not experienced, I will just refer you to the publication. Good Luck. Whit

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys!

I nearly blew $40 on that... Till they get it figured out and tell everyone what to do, I am holding off on buying it. Thanks again.

-Wolv33

[Pauls4]

Walthers does not seem to be interested in solving this problem. I have sent 3 e-mails since Feb 12 and have not recieved any response other than acknowledgements that they recieved my e-mail. I expect I will junk mine and look for another brand!
Thanks for all the input.
Pauls

[Anonymous]

I do not think it would be copyright infringement to paraphrase or at least give us the gist of what is said. I would hardly hunt down and purchase said publication unless I get a better idea of what is said. Does he, for example, say all turntables are unuseable, just decorative? Or, that he has some idea how to make it more reliable? Or, that he has some experience in the area? Gimme a hint, eh?
Incidentally, Walthers turntabel 3135 (which I have) has been replaced by 3171, due soon, which costs $10.00 less. Got me whether I can expect it to be better or worse, or what changes might have been made.
Dean

[Anonymous]

That brings me to another question. Does anyone have any recommendations for what to use in place of the Walthers turntable?

The Atlas one seems a little unrealistic to use, esp the manually operated one. My layout exists in the modern 70s-90s, but I still wanted a turntable and tracks for diesel storage and to have a conversation piece on the layout. hehehe.. Thanks.

-Wolv33

[Anonymous]

I heard Diamond Scale was the absolute best, BUT(you knew there was going to be a but didn't you?)they are not listed in my Walther's catalog anymore. They were also rather expensive, and I think complicated and required soldering. They had the largest available, and I should have gotten it for my Big Boy. Darn. I see that SS LTD has a 110'-130' turnatable. Has anyone tried theirs?
singnwinds

[Anonymous]

Okay, let me attempt some "paraphrasing" . . . McGuirk mentions that he has never been able to make nor seen the Walthers turntable run consistently (except of course by the 'Armstrong' method). He even spoke to the fact that many people have manual turntables for the very reason that the ones that have more realistic appearance do not easily take mechanization. He also relates that he knows many people with far greater electrical skills than he who have concocted elabote chains of relays, etc. and still have little if any consistancy. However (this is the dubious good news part) a "new product" which he says he has seen in operation is the Programable Turntable Control (PTC) from New York Railway Supply; apparently comes in two versions one with rotary dial to select the radiating track and another with keypad to "enter" desired track number which you have programmed. No hint is given as to cost NOR do you know the size of the unit (no reference point just a picture of the Model III keypad). Furthermore I get the distinct impression that the book went to print before he completed building his Steam Locomotive Servicing yard. He calims it is very simple to install but does not say if there is any compatability concerns with manufacturers of turntables. He is installing it on a "90-foot" Diamond Scale turntable. Hope this helps more than just pointing, but remeber, i have not tried any of this and am just relating something i have read.

[Anonymous]

I bought an Atlas TT W/Motor Operator and I had a minor problem with gear noise. I fixed the problem with some White Lithium grease on the gears. As for the realism issue, well, I can't help you there. I have a nice turntable (conversation piece) that is now quiet and operates very smoothly at any speed.

Good Luck, John

[Anonymous]

Walthers has been made aware of the problem.

I wonder, is there a way to operate the Walthers TT manually? I mean, for the most part my trains would be too busy to sit back there and use it. I will mainly use it for diesel storage (the turntable tracks) and a conversation piece.

-Wolv33

[Cincykid]

I see no reason why you couldn't operate the Walthers TT manually. However, this discussion has convinced me not to use Walthers TT. Is anyone familiar with the turntables made by Custom Model Railroads (CMR)? They advertise in MR and Railroad Model Planning. I checked their website and they appear to be a quality product but expensive ( HO 105' is $135).

Also, does anyone know if Diamond Scale is still in business? They don't advertise anymore and are not listed in Walthers Catalog nor in the NMRA's index of manufacturers.

[Anonymous]

Guys,

There is a scratchbuilt plan for a turntable in HO Trackside Structures You Can Build by MR... It doesn't look all that difficult, and they give you a complete listing of materials and where to get them, and step by step instructions. Besides, it doesn't cost nowhere near the price of the Walthers one.

Incidently, they had a Walthers 90' TT on Ebay, and I was watching it....it went to $49 and I am thinking...gee guys, you can get that brand new for the same cost and shipping at Walthers. Guess that person wanted a used TT pretty bad! LOL!!!

-Wolv33

[Anonymous]

Might I suggest not to use a pit turntable in areas you might be modeling that have seasonal snowfall.I was reminded of this my last post on turntable inquiries.Atlas`s flat turntable is more prototypical in these snowy areas especially after painting and weathering including power building.Would you want to dig out a pit full of snow? Railroad crews didn`t either. If you really need that pit in your area,an easy and reliable turntable is drawn out in one of the recent MR`s. It`s touted to have reliable indexing. If you are interested I`ll look up which month it appeared. Walthers is notorious for this product. Binding occurs in most if not all of their turntables. I heard a few modelers have been able to repair this problem,but would you really want to buy an inferior product and try and fix it. Sometimes the saying "you get what you pay for" really hits a home run. Walthers is aware of the problem and seems to be ignoring the whole mess.(maybe if we`re quiet they`ll go away). Not! Just don`t buy their turntables until they address this problem and don`t let any of your rail buddies buy them.
Soon after they can`t sell anymore they might produce something that really works. At this time though they`re just ripping everybody off on a problem they seem to have had for some time. If you are modeling areas with snow,you would do well with the old reliable Atlas flat turntable with your own artistic touches to make it very prototypical.Whew! horailfan[:D}

[Anonymous]

hello everybody,
why you don't try the peco one!ok,it's a manual one but very relyable and it's a 1 feet long(ho scale)see it at peco.com
also,the roco one with motor this time,extra reliable but expensive.roco.at.com
all the best,
nicolas

[Anonymous]

I have just finished building the CMR 105' truntable and am very pleased with it. I must qualify this reply, however, since i have been modeling for over 50 years and am not a beginner. The CMR turntables are made from laser cut sheet acrylic plastic that is very strong and stiff but can present some challenges during assembly. You must use every means available to you to keep everything straight and true because this product is not mistake tolerant. I definantly would not recommend it for a beginner but the experienced modler should have no problems if a degree of patience is exercised. Believe me the finished product is well worth it!

[mecrr]

Yes Diamond scale is still in business,
Caboose Hobbies in Denver carries them.
David

[Cincykid]

Terry,
Thanks for the info on the CMR turntable. I have been modeling for about 30 years so I think I may give it a try. It will be awhile until I'm ready for it though. Still have alot of work to do! Just trying to plan ahead.

[Anonymous]

Paul-
If you make the decision to build the CMR turntable, give me a quick e-mail and I'll share my experience with you in detail. Maybe I can save you some grief along the way. I modified mine to make it more closely resemble a RI prototype but some simple modifications that would apply to any prototype make this piece much nicer. For instance, I threw away the plastic pieces that were supposed to simulate the wood decking and replaced with real strip wood decking that, when weathered, really enhanced the overall effect. My e-mail is [e-mail]. Don't hesitate to contact me if I can be of assistance.

Terry