I am installing a Walthers 130 ft Turntable and would like to know folks experience on the lead in track. Must it be straight as I no can do? I might be able to squeeze 3 - 4 inches straight at the turntable. I am plannning on a 30 inc radius from there out to the rest of my track. Will this work successfully?
should be fine. The lead only needs to be square to where the bridge will stop.
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
Thanks, I understand and am working hard to make it square. Thanks.
I have read your original post a couple of times. I am not sure if you are saying that you are incapable of laying track straight or if you are saying that the configuration of your layout requires that the lead in track be curved almost up to the lip of the turntable.
If it is the former, then you a piece of Atlas 9" straight sectional track.
If it is the latter, then I would encourage you to figure out some way to fit in a section of straight track at least as long as your longest engine. I suppose you could have a curved lead in track with the last few inches straight, but I wouldn't recommend it.
Rich
Alton Junction
If possible, have a length of straight track as long as the longest rigid wheelbase that will use the turntable. If you're using it to turn 2-6-6-4s and 2-8-2s, that will be the 2-8-2 wheelbase. Worst case is a Santa Fe or PRR 2-10-4, with those tall drivers.
The reason is, unless you have a positive indexing lock, the side thrust of the lead driver on a curve will tend to push the end of the turntable bridge out of alignment. There aren't many places on the railroad where a derailment will be more disruptive.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with turntables)
Ring ring. Hello yard masters office. Umm, boss could you send the big crane over to the engine house? (Yard boss) WHAT DID YOU DO NOW FRANK? I forgot to engage the locks on the turntable before using the rip track and drove one of the BIG road engines into the pit. (Yard boss) FRANK YOUR FIRED!!
Johnnny_reb Once a word is spoken it can not be unspoken!
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