Big Boy Forever Thanks all for the info. Somehow I got the impression that turntables were a thing of the past except as tourist attractions. I had read somewhere, that companies would rather use a wye or a loop in modern times.
Thanks all for the info.
Somehow I got the impression that turntables were a thing of the past except as tourist attractions.
I had read somewhere, that companies would rather use a wye or a loop in modern times.
I'm sure railroads wished they was gone but,they're still needed where there isn't a nearby wye.
CSX removed their turntable in Willard and NS uses a wye in Bellevue and Wakins yard in Columbus.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
7j43k Big Boy Forever Thanks all for the info. Somehow I got the impression that turntables were a thing of the past except as tourist attractions. I had read somewhere, that companies would rather use a wye or a loop in modern times. In modern times, if a railroad was a'building, I'm sure that a wye or loop would be chosen if the land were available. But for railroads already built that have a turntable available and no wye, they'd either have to obtain a whole lot of land or re-purpose land they already had. Big expense. That would have to be justified. Note that for modern large railroads, need for a turntable is much less than "back in the day". Turntables are only good for turning one thing. Like a locomotive. Wyes and loops are also good for turning long things, like diesel consists. Also, turntables usually went with roundhouses. And the steam engines that filled them were used and kept in a different manner than modern diesels--the latter being able to be ignored on a ready track for a long time, being used in multiple, and being less directionally challenged. Ed
In modern times, if a railroad was a'building, I'm sure that a wye or loop would be chosen if the land were available. But for railroads already built that have a turntable available and no wye, they'd either have to obtain a whole lot of land or re-purpose land they already had. Big expense. That would have to be justified.
Note that for modern large railroads, need for a turntable is much less than "back in the day". Turntables are only good for turning one thing. Like a locomotive. Wyes and loops are also good for turning long things, like diesel consists.
Also, turntables usually went with roundhouses. And the steam engines that filled them were used and kept in a different manner than modern diesels--the latter being able to be ignored on a ready track for a long time, being used in multiple, and being less directionally challenged.
Ed
Right! That type of information, which I hilighted in your post, is where I got my ideas from, exactly as you said it.
Diesels don't need to turn around or be housed in a roundhouse, and entire trains can be turned in a loop.
I thought that made turntables obsolete, and have see many a location where turntables were destroyed.
Even as used today, turntables represent old-fashioned "green tech"- they save space, time and fuel, which helps keep operating costs down- plus, they are visually interesting!
Cedarwoodron
Big Boy Forever This probably came up in some other thread, but does any small RRs in the USA still use turntables? I know the class 1s don't, and there are museums like the one in NC with the recently moved 611 steam loco.
This probably came up in some other thread, but does any small RRs in the USA still use turntables?
I know the class 1s don't, and there are museums like the one in NC with the recently moved 611 steam loco.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
All the class 1s use turntables, just like the old days. Still need to turn power around and its the most space efficient way to do it.
Here's an Amtrak one in Washington DC http://goo.gl/maps/D34xk
CSX in Cumberland MD http://goo.gl/maps/JYHRT
NS in Conway PA http://goo.gl/maps/DPM8x
Well you get the idea.
jrbernier BNSF has TT at Northtown Yard, and CP has one at St Paul Yard as well! DM&E has one at Huron and IC&E has one in Mason City. I They are used where there is no room. Jim
BNSF has TT at Northtown Yard, and CP has one at St Paul Yard as well! DM&E has one at Huron and IC&E has one in Mason City. I They are used where there is no room.
Jim
It's surprising to me that BNSF has one. Do they use it in the same way as the old days of steam when turntables were used across the nation?
Maine Eastern Railroad has one, dont remember the city name.. Rockport, ME maybe. Pan AM Railways has/had, as of the last time I checked google earth, a turntable, partial roundhouse, and a transer table in Waterville, ME. Dont know if they are actively used or not.
Edit (6/23/14) Pan AM Railways also has a TT and partial roundhouse at Deerfield, Mass.
BNSF has TT at Northtown Yard, and CP has one at St Paul Yard as well! DM&E has one at Huron and IC&E has one in Mason City. They are used where there is no room for a Wye.
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin