I have the Walthers 130' N scale turntable installed and am wondering if the arch is necessary. I have looked at a number of pictures of turntables, some of them have arches some do not.
The arch provides an easy way to supply power to the electric drive motors through slip rings at the top and power coming from a nearby utility pole.
Smaller turntables could be driven by air motors supplied with compressed air from the locomotive and even smaller ones were pushed by hand (armstrong). When the size of the bridge got upwards of 130 feet these were certainly 'modern' turntables for larger locomotives and would have had electric propulsion.
You could use the excuse that the motors collected power through contacts at the circumference of the pit similar to how a travelling crane is set up, which may have been possible but I can't think of an example. Alot would depend on your era modeled.
This manufacturer seems to employ a power delivery system through the center pivot:
https://www.macton.com/locomotiverailway-turntables
Good Luck, Ed
I have never modeled an arch on one of my turntables, and never really given it a second thought.
Now, I am thinking about it.
I glanced at a few pictures, and I did not find a late-model turntable where the arch was structural. As Ed said, they all looked like a source of electrical power.
It seems my turntables will need these.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 I have never modeled an arch on one of my turntables, and never really given it a second thought. Now, I am thinking about it. I glanced at a few pictures, and I did not find a late-model turntable where the arch was structural. As Ed said, they all looked like a source of electrical power. It seems my turntables will need these. -Kevin
Rich
Alton Junction