Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Heljan 802 roundhouse with Walthers 933-2850 DCC turntable

4885 views
4 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Western PA
  • 250 posts
Heljan 802 roundhouse with Walthers 933-2850 DCC turntable
Posted by PRRT1MAN on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 10:26 AM

Will this combination work?  I know it says that it is designed for the "new roundhouse" Cornerstone version but I don't like that style.

Thanks

 

Sam

Sam Vastano
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 11:16 AM

It depends upon the angle between the round house stalls and the width of the stalls at the TT (narrower) end. The pit for the 130' turntable is approximately 18" in diameter or 9" radius. Determine the angle between roundhouse stalls, draw two lines with that degree of angle. Where the lines cross represents the center of the TT pit. Measure out 9" the see (approximately) where the pit wall would be. Find the points along the angle lines where the front wall of the roundhouse will be. If those points are outside the pit wall points the two should work.

Generally speaking, the larger the pit (TT length) requires smaller angle of roundhouse stalls. And while a combination may work, if the stall angle is large relative to the turntable length you might end up with very short tracks between the pit and the stall doors. The Walthers web site does not indicate the Heljan kit's stall angle but maybe someone else will be able to provide you with that info. If ti won't work with the 130' TT you might consider the 90' model unless your locomotives are too long. Or you might consider the older and smaller Walthers roundhouse kit. Both of the Walthers roundhouses have a 10 degree stall angle.

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Western PA
  • 250 posts
Posted by PRRT1MAN on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 11:59 AM

Thanks for the info.  I already have the roundhouse and I was going to use if with a Bowser 18" turntable and it was going to work but I wanted a better TT that was DCC compatible so I opted to buy the  Walthers one but it has not arrived yet. I am crossing my fingers that the small table diameter difference will not effect the usability of the Heljan kits.  Just for info the Bowser one is exactly 18" pit and the Walthers says 18 3/4"

Sam Vastano
  • Member since
    December 2008
  • From: Mount Vernon WA
  • 968 posts
Posted by skagitrailbird on Wednesday, March 25, 2015 12:02 PM

I doubt the 3/4" difference will matter. Your roundhouse doors will be 3/8" closer to the pit wall but that would seem to be inconsequential.

Out of curiosity what is the stall angle of the Heljan 802 roundhouse?

Roger Johnson
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Western PA
  • 250 posts
Posted by PRRT1MAN on Thursday, April 2, 2015 2:31 PM

Just as an update. I got the new TT and tried it out!  Wow is it smooth and works great. Now just to find time to continue on the progress of the layout and get it installed.

Sam Vastano

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!