Comments on Turntables?

[Paul Milenkovic]

Manual turntable operation:

I would like to operate a turntable manually because it will be for turning engines in a "fiddle yard" rather than meant to be prototypical. What do I need to know about its operation that I don't put engines on the ground? Are there some rugged buy non-prototypical turntable designs for this applications?

[Anonymous]

I just picked up the Atlas turntable and plan I modifying it as suggested by ozziladd. For $25 how could you go wrong. If it doesn't work, at least it was good training for assemblying one of the more expensive models.

[NZRMac]

haven't seen Rex on here lately so I'll comment for him.

He's just got a 16.5" turntable from http://www.custommodelrailroads.com/index.html and motor from http://www.berkshirejunction.com/ the motor does .45rpm doesn't index tho

Ken

[Anonymous]

You need to find out how much they can afford first. $28 or $300-big difference. I personally would choose a good looking turntable and operate it manually. After all, how much use is it really going to get? I think most are for appearance anyway. Just my opinion, though.

[Anonymous]

You might also consider the Fleischmann turntable. Not cheap - the only cheap turntable that works, is the Atlas one - but nicely executed, and the price includes an indexing system.

[robengland]

The trouble with the Atlas is that it stops and pauses at every position in a most unrealistic way.

[Anonymous]

Re the Atlas conversion you should go to http://uk.geocities.com/barry_pate/html/turntable.html
It looks like a nice conversion that I am thinking of trying myself
Alex.

[richhotrain]

My dealer went to a showing in Milwaukee last week where a Walther rep demonstrated the new 130' turntable which is now allegedly due out on Jan 28 2005). I say allegedly because it is a year overdue. The turntable is motorized and fully indexed.

According to my dealer, the demo worked flawlessly and the rep told him that they have demonstrated the demo hundreds of times recently without any failures. The turntable will cost $300 and will require a separate DC power pack to operate it.

[Anonymous]

Diamond scale Models makes several models. They also make an indexing kit and a hand crank assembly. Not cheap and not shake the box, but good quality and realistic.

http://www.diamond-scale.com/Products/products__turntables.htm

Guy

[hminky]

Look at the Heljan 14" turntable. The Atlas turntable has a very lurchy indexing. There is a low rpm motor that mounts to the Heljan. I have seen this type motor used on an Nn3 turntable and only using eyeball indexing works quite well.
Just a thought
Harold

http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com

[CP5170]

I purchased a Walthers turntable and have had nothing but problems with it. I am not impressed with Walthers products. I don't think they are worth the price they demand.

I may try Cacole's suggestion.

[cacole]

Unless Walthers has made significant improvements to their turntables, they are extremely noisy, wobbly, and are not indexing. Atlas turntables are self-indexing, but are also noisy and do not look very realistic, so they require a lot of touch-up or modification. One idea I have read about is to sink an Atlas turntable and then mount a more realistic looking bridge on top of it. The top of the Atlas can then be weathered to look like the bottom of a turntable pit.

[Anonymous]

I want to put the bite on the kids to get me a turntable for Christmas, instead of ties..(just kidding). I see Atlas, Walthers, Cornerstone and CMR, and at least another which is way pricey. I do want it motorized and indexed. Obviously I want it accurate. I hope to use DCC and Railroad & Co, in conjunstion with it.
Any comments/suggestions on what I should ask for?
Thank you!