Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Roundhouses

7973 views
39 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Friday, March 24, 2023 1:03 PM

Tom,

What size turntable are you considering? Does it need indexing?

Sheldon

    

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: 4610 Metre's North of the Fortyninth on the left coast of Canada
  • 9,352 posts
Posted by BATMAN on Friday, March 24, 2023 11:35 AM

I went with the Walthers RH and TT. The look of the RH was closest to what I wanted and the TT was ready to go. With the glacial speed at which my layout progresses, I have to pick my battles as to what I want to scratch build, kit build, or drop and drive. The TT has been flawless for years. 

I am in no position to recommend one based on my own knowledge and/or experience, but I am really happy with what I have.

Brent

"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: west coast
  • 7,667 posts
Posted by rrebell on Friday, March 24, 2023 10:29 AM

I have never had a problem with the original RTR Walther turntable, for a roundhose I used a Vollmer because it was a bit more relistic than the others at the time, of couse I did some changes as it was not American based but those changes were mainly omiting details.

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Friday, March 24, 2023 10:11 AM

tstage
Curious to hear thoughts about Walthers vs CMR? 

My decision was to go with niether one of those two options. I furtunately scrounged a couple of old Bowser turntables in good unused condition. These have a very rugged design and my previous one worked very well for years.

Of the two you mentioned, I would go with CMR. There have been too many stories of problems with newer Walthers turntables for me to be comfortable with one.

tstage
Beginning my initial investigation on adding a roundhouse.

I chose the Walthers "Modern" roundhouse. I want 16 stalls on my roundhouse, and this was the one that was readily available with what I needed.

If I was going to build a four to six stall roundhouse, I would have chosen a different model.

The craftsman kit by South River Model Works would have been my number-one choice for a smaller roundhouse.

-Kevin

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    February 2015
  • From: Ludington, MI
  • 1,860 posts
Posted by Water Level Route on Friday, March 24, 2023 5:29 AM

I had the Walther's 110 foot non-DCC turntable.  Had one issue with the control board that Walther's replaced for free.  Other than that, I've been very happy with it.  Paired it with one of the Walther's roundhouses (not the modern one, the other one) and it serves my needs well.

Mike

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Friday, March 24, 2023 3:41 AM

I have the original Walthers 130' non-DCC turntable. Bought it in 2005 and it is still running flawlessly. 

I also have the Walthers Roundhouse, 9 stalls in all. It is a perfect fit for the Walthers turntable.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, March 23, 2023 10:29 PM

These turntables and detail kits are still available as well. Very popular back in the day.

http://www.diamond-scale.com/default.htm

And they have parts that would be a good upgrade to the CMR unit.

http://www.diamond-scale.com/products__arches_trucks_cabs.htm

Sheldon

    

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, March 23, 2023 10:08 PM

Sorry, fellas.  Yes, CMR is what I meant...

 

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: Maryland
  • 12,897 posts
Posted by ATLANTIC CENTRAL on Thursday, March 23, 2023 9:59 PM

tstage

Greetings,

Beginning my initial investigation on adding a roundhouse (and turntable) to my next layout.  Curious to hear thoughts about Walthers vs CMS?  I know the latter is more expensive.  Is it worth saving one's pennies for?

Thanks,

Tom

 

CMS? Do you mean CMR - Custom Model Railroads?

That is what I have, well worth the extra money in my view. I have the 135' version.

 

 

I upgraded mine with etched brass power hoop and railings from Bowser, which I don't think are available any more.

The CMR turntable is a kit that takes some patience, and it does not include an indexing system. I think the motor offering is the same as mine, it is just a slow speed motor with a direction switch, and another switch for Run/Jog.

So you line it up by just bumping the motor after you get it close - that's how they did it on the prototype. 

I also have the CMR roundhouse, two kits to build 12 stalls. I have not built that yet.

Lining it up manually works fine if you are reasonably close to it. Other wise you may need indexing.

Mechanically the CMR unit is much more heavy duty than any plastic drop in RTR/kit turnatable I have seen.

Sheldon

 

    

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
  • 252 posts
Posted by CNR378 on Thursday, March 23, 2023 9:35 PM

I believe you mean CMR.

Isn't the big difference the Walthers TT comes in 2 sizes and are almost just dropin while the CMR turntables come in 4 sizes and are kits?

Peter

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Roundhouses
Posted by tstage on Thursday, March 23, 2023 8:43 PM

Greetings,

Beginning my initial investigation on adding a roundhouse (and turntable) to my next layout.  Curious to hear thoughts about Walthers vs CMS CMR?  I know the latter is more expensive.  Is it worth saving one's pennies for?

Thanks,

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!