Turntable Choices

[Pruitt]

I've just started assembling the Walthers 90' TT. So far I have the pit scribed to represent separate concrete pads, and have painted it a basic concrete color. So essentially I'm just starting.

[NYCentral1]

So, basically, we have Atlas, Walthers, Helijian, Diamond Scale, Bowser, etc.

Well, I really would like to avoid spending too much, so I think the Bowser and Diamond S. are out.

I like that 90' Walthers, but what about this wobble problem?

I really don't care about indexing, I just want a good looking table that is motorized. I could handle "seeking out" the right track spots...

[jimrice4449]

I have a Bowser 16" for my psgr eng terminal. It's big enough to handle anything but a Big Boy but they also make an 18" if you'll be running Big Boys and a 14" that will handle most Northerns (the Santa Fe 3875 and 2900 classes w/ those humungous 16 wheel tenders being 2 of the exceptions). They make a motorizing kit for it and an indexing kit by Dallee is available. I don't know what the current price on them is but you can try [e-mail] or call them at 570 368 2379 9:00 to 5: EST. I just started installing mine and it seems like a pretty straightforward proposition.

[mlehman]

I'm very happy with my Diamond Scalle 75' turntable so far. I'm still in the middle of building it, but have all the critical work except laying the rails done. I plan on getting back to work on it as soon as I get this last %!*$#~^ paper done.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL

PS There was a relatively recent thread that discussed the issue of turntables within the last couple of months here that has extensive commentary. Just so we don't all feel obliged to reinvent the wheel, etc. Here's the link:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=64114

[MidlandPacific]

Both have websites - bowser.com and http://www.diamond-scale.com/.

Can't testify to the quality of the Bowser turntable, but I've done business with them before, and have always been satisfied.

[Anonymous]

I built the Diamond Scale model a couple of years ago. It's not cheap, but is quite detailed, and takes a while to build, and has been very reliable for me. The bridge is a lift-off, which I find very helpful for cleaning, etc. As of a couple of years ago, it had no built-in indexing, which was fine for me. If that's important to you, you might look for a recent ad and/or call them. The owner is a very nice fellow, as I recall.

[MidlandPacific]

You should check out Bowser and Diamond Scale - both make turntables. I've heard the Bowser tables are spartan but good performers. And I'm guessing a bit cheaper than $300.

The Heljan table's a bit harder to build up than the Walthers - about the same size, but the base of the Walthers table is a 1 piece casting (not a built-up assembly like the Heljan), so there are fewer potential glitches. On the other hand, if you're modeling the turn of the century, the Heljan roundhouse looks more "period."

[scubaterry]

NYC - I have two of the Walthers 90 ft TT. A real bear to make work reliable out of the box. Several threads have been posted on how to modify the kit to make it tolerable. I have one on the layout that is real wobbly (havent removed it to do the mods yet) the other is still in the box. I have been looking closly at this TT looks good and they have several sizes from 90 -135 ft. www.cmrtrain.com/ . Walthers is coming out with a new one RTR for 300.00 haven;t heard much about it. I also have the Atlas TT. It would need lots of weathering to look decent or put up on an upper level out of direct sight. ALthough I have seen some from folks on this forum that make them look really sweet.
I am also a NYC fan.
Terry[8D]

[NYCentral1]

I'm planning out my railroad right now, soon I will have my benchwork finished. I got a track plan done, and now I'm looking for the different things I need.

I have a turntable on my track plan, and I'm looking for choices. I see that Walthers has one, 90', that I'm interested in...How is it? Do they have a motor kit for it? What about Indexing...

Atlas also has one, but its pretty ugly, is there anyway to modify it to look more "normal?"

What about the other brands, like Heljian?

Any help someone?