I just got Walters roundhouse HO kit # 933-2900. Can I use Atlas code 83 flex track in the RH with the ties or does it just have to be code 83 rails only.Also how far should the RH be from the Walters 130' turntable? I chose not to add the stall extension, to try and save on space. Thanks
http://www.walthers.com/exec/page/technical_resources
H0 scale 130' turntable instructions: http://www.walthers.com/instructions/0933/09330000002829.pdf
Smile, Stein
The part of the track that goes into the roundhouse will have to have the ties off, whether you strip them from flex track or just start with code 83 rail. Just gluing flex track on top of the base will give you clearance problems with the type steam locomotives you'd most likey see in this style roundhouse.
The other issue is feeding the power to each stall to power up the rails. I put the feeders in the back end of the stall where they're hard to see unless you know where they are. This does give a slight logistical problem of aligning the hole for the wire in the layout, the rails are best wired first, then glued into the slot. I assembled the roundhouse in 3 stall sets, then installed it on the layout the same way.
As far as set back from the turntable, I'll have to wait until I get home and make the measurement. Mine has been in well over a year.
ollevon I just got Walters roundhouse HO kit # 933-2900. Can I use Atlas code 83 flex track in the RH with the ties or does it just have to be code 83 rails only.Also how far should the RH be from the Walters 130' turntable? I chose not to add the stall extension, to try and save on space. Thanks
As already noted, only the rails are placed in the roundhouse. I stripped rail from flex track and glued the rails down with CA adhesive. I ended the rails at the roundhouse entrance, then used rail joiners with power feeds to the bus wire. From there, I connected a small piece of flex track to the roundhouse rails at one end and the edge of the turntable pit at the other end. I left the ties on the connecting piece of flex track except over the edge of the turntable pit where I removed the ties so that the rail sat flush on the turntable lip. Once again, I used CA adhesive to bind the rail to the turntable lip. That is critical so that the engine wheels can smoothly enter and exit the bridge track on the turntable. In the area between the turntable and the roundhouse, I place WS cinders and that covered the wire power feeds.
The distance between the entrance stalls in the roundhouse and the turntable pit is 3 inches. In other words, my connecting track between the turntable edge and the rails in the roundhouse is 3 inches.
Take your time, it is quite a chore, but in the end it is very cool.
Rich
Alton Junction
Thanks for that Tom, I will just be using the one, ( 3 ) stall kit. So do you think if I solder the feeder weirs to the rails first and then drill holes in the back of inspection pits, and lastly glue the the rails in place?
Thank you Rich that sounds like a little less work, I think I might go that route!! Thanks Sam