Bowser Turntables Experience?

[dbaker48]

Has anyone had any experience with O scale turntables from Bowser? http://www.bowser-trains.com/oscale/turntables/turntables.htm

They offer a turntable that will accomodate the large Big Boy, and Cab Forward?

Looks very interesting !!!!

[lionelsoni]

A 1/48 scale Big Boy is 33 inches long; so the 32-inch version would work with a little overhang. The MTH Premier Big Boy is longer than it should be, for some reason--35 inches. You would have to measure the actual wheelbase to know whether it can hang over by a total of 3 inches. The Rail King Big Boy is 28 1/8 inches long.

[wrmcclellan]

We have one of these on our club layout. It is a bit of a craftsman kit (construction and wiring). So be prepared to do some work on this guy. It works very well. We used the Bowser drive/indexing kit and a hidden pushbutton to advance it to the next track. In trying to keep the rail gaps close, we have seen some interesting track expansion issues in the warmer months.

Regards,
Roy

[Anonymous]

Precision Railroad manufactures a 36” bridge motorized turntable of very rugged construction, and offering precise mechanically locked indexing. It has been included in layouts and distributed separately by Model Railroad Custom Benchwork, located in Virginia, for over 11 years, but is available directly from us as well. Photos are available by going to:

www.bhi.com/users/ericpaulsen/prtttope The top of the turntable, as delivered, but not showing the center arch, which is supplied loose.

www.bhi.com/users/ericpaulsen/prttbote The machinery underneath. The wire going to the upper right hand corner leads to a single stop position temporarily installed for functional testing.

In use the operator rotates a switch on the console to select the spur he wants the bridge to line up with. The start button on the console is then depressed momentarily, and the bridge proceeds to rotate to the desired spur. Once there the bridge stops, and a tapered pin engages to line it up the bridge precisely and lock it in place. All this happens automatically after the start button is depressed, no “fine tuning” of bridge position is required. The process is unaffected by engine weight, friction changes do to lubrication, changes in the air temperature / humidity, or any other parameter.

I would be happy to answer any questions.

Eric Paulsen

Precision Railroad

952-473-6243

[spankybird]

Eric - do you have a web page or email address ?

[dbaker48]

I too would be interested in additional information. I Assuming of course it will accomodate 3 rail, anything on roundhouse, or primarily the turntable?

[tschmidt]

It sounds like a nice piece of equipment. I bet it would look great in a museum somewhere in Northeastern Ohio. I would like to see pics of one on a layout. The web site would be great too.

Tom S