Turntable

[Anonymous]

Hi,
I'm pretty new to the hobby and I want to know if a turntable and roundhouse would look realistic on a HO layout with steam and diesel locomotives in the transistion era. Or would it be out of place[?]

thanks

[Anonymous]

roundhouses were used in the transition era. Steam engines were stored in them, possibly desial too, but i'm not sure.

[Anonymous]

JCtrain,
Turntables and round houses slowly disappeared from the railroad scene after the demise of steam. There still are operable turntables in use these days, I believe. Diesels did take a spin on a turntable, now and then, so the answer to your question is yes, these facilities are a natural for a transition era layout.

Mark

[Anonymous]

Turntables were common at division points, rail yards, and rail hubs until railroads started removing them in the 1960's and 70's. I'm no expert on diesel servicing, but I think diesels were stored in roundhouses as well until the 1960's when diesel servicing shops started appearing. A good rule of thumb to use is if a steam locomotive would be on the roster in the year(s) you model, there would be roundhouses around for plenty of time after.

[tree68]

Just to muddy up the waters a bit - in the case of a small facility, both for steam and diesel, it would not be unusual to find a wye on which to turn not only the engines, but anything else that was directional (some pax cars, snowplows and Jordan spreaders, to name a few).

If you are modelling a terminal, or will be storing more than one or two locos, though, a turntable (and roundhouse, although they didn't always go together) would certainly be appropriate for your planned layout.

[randybc2003]

There are still turntables and roundhouses in the local (Spokane Washington) area. Diesels were are still sometimes turned on them. Also, sometimes Observation cars, snow plows, and other "one-end" equipment.

[Anonymous]

Transistion era? Yes it was common to for roundhouses to do light maintenance and storage. Also early car body diesels needed to be turned.
Have you read The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals By Marty McGuirk? (click on the title)
It shows a typical layout of a transistion era engine terminal.

By the way, we have a new roundhouse and a turntable here in Dearborn, Michigan at the Greenfield Village. If you are ever out this way, go see it! [tup]