Hi, I dont have a layout right now but I've been working on some projects for an anticipated move and a future layout. I am scratchbuilding a turntable and would like some comments or suggestions (or tell me I'm crazy dont do it) Ive' read alot about the walthers (heljan) units allthough I havent seen one. I thought about it but I'm too cheap and what fun would that be, Anyway the problem seems to be with the pits. I have built an awsome pit and I have constructed the drive unit. I am not interested in indexing and I am moving on to the bridge. My question is should I modify a walthers (heljan) bridge or scratchbuild it. How deep are the walthers pits and what does the center pivot look like? I know there are different models. I am interested in pit rail and center pivot power pick up. I also liked the through girder type like the lackawanna TT at Port Morris N.J. (its different) which was in RMC awhile back but this type gets real interesting with the bogies. I'm looking for ideas and comments and let me know if you need more info. Thanks MARK
I have scratchbuilt a turntable in N scale once. I hope you are mechanicaly inclined. The measurments and centers for drilling will need to be very close tolerances.
NJWATERGUY wrote: My question is should I modify a walthers (heljan) bridge or scratchbuild it.
My question is should I modify a walthers (heljan) bridge or scratchbuild it.
Scratchbuild it. I used a piece of wood block for the base structure part of my bridge and then used evergreen styrene to make the prototype sides and glued them to the wood block.
NJWATERGUY wrote: How deep are the walthers pits and what does the center pivot look like?
How deep are the walthers pits and what does the center pivot look like?
It doesn't matter. Don't make your model from a model. Do some research on the Internet and make it as deep as the real ones were. As to the center pivot, you can use a brass tube in a brass tube bearing. You just need a firm structure for the bottom of the pit to hold the bearing. You can epoxy the bearing in. Mine was 3/4 inch plywood.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Here is one person's experience.
http://www.housatonicrr.com/DIY_Turntable.htm
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
As mentioned in this month's Model Railroader, a stereo plug makes an excellent pivot that can also carry track power.
There have been an amazing number of turntable bridge designs, so your sly and cunning maneuver would be to hunt up photos of turntables used by your prototype railroad, or the one you freelance around. Even that may prove to be a large number - my prototype ranged from a transplanted deck girder bridge in an incredibly deep pit to through girder designs in pits about as deep as a soup bowl, with the carrier wheels outboard of the girder riding on a ring rail barely below the bases of the running rails.
One good thing about researching and then scratchbuilding - you don't end up with a TT just like everyone else's.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with 2 dis-similar turntables)
Here is a couple of links to scratchbuilt turntables:
Let's build a turntable and Turntable
Wayne
Speaker rings are useful when scratchbuilding a turntable. You can get them in different sizes and they make a good form for the pit wall.
http://www.able-audio.com/products.php
richg1998 wrote: Here is one person's experience. http://www.housatonicrr.com/DIY_Turntable.htmRich
And note what the author says under the "REFLECTIONS" section...
Mark,
I have scratchbuilt one turntable and am finishing up another. I would suggest that you check out Diamond scale for the bridge trucks. Second suggestion is that you obtain scale drawings of the prototype that you prefer and scratchbuild the bridge from them. I agree with what Craig says in the aforementioned "relections" section. Building a scale operating turntable from scratch is not an easy endeavor.
Good luck,
Guy
see stuff at: the Willoughby Line Site
I built a Diamond Scale turntable for a friend many years ago, and, while it works well, I was very disappointed in the kit: the pit was out-of-round and I wasn't particularly impressed that so much fiddling was required to make it right. They may have improved them in the intervening years, though.