MisterBeasleyThe Atlas turntable requires a power source. I used an old DC power pack, so I had a convenient speed control. I never measured it, but I used 8 or 9 volts, and got about a 1 RPM rotation rate.
That is fantastic.
1 RPM is what I shoot for with my Bowser Turntables.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
SeeYou190 I looked quickly, but could not find a video of the Atlas turntable in action. Does anyone know what the effective RPM is, with it stopping every 15 degrees? -Kevin
I looked quickly, but could not find a video of the Atlas turntable in action. Does anyone know what the effective RPM is, with it stopping every 15 degrees?
The Atlas turntable requires a power source. I used an old DC power pack, so I had a convenient speed control. I never measured it, but I used 8 or 9 volts, and got about a 1 RPM rotation rate.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
The Challenger is 122 ft long.
Which is 9.15 inches in N scale.
A nine and a half inch turntable would handle it.
Since I'm not planning to have any Big Boys on my layout, ...I think that will work.
I would take it one just slims the HO turned track down thinner because the circle is all the same except for the tracking rail. And one could always modify the depth of the pit of the HO in comparison to N scale
Sounds like a plan! I take it the HO turntables are cheaper
TF
Track fiddlerIt will probably not be the perfect setting for the largest turntable I can build there because I need a challenger to be turned on that turntable. But none the less a challenger will be turned at that turntable
How long is an N scale Challenger? It should be about 9 1/2 inches.
The Atlas HO scale turntable might be a candidate to become an N scale turntable following Mr. Beasley's conversion.
Just thinking...
This is certainly an old tread by Mister B
My turntable will be a mountain wilderness servicing faculty out in the middle of nowhere.
I have high hopes of it looking really cool underneath the high rocks and all the Tall Timber Pines.
It will probably not be the perfect setting for the largest turntable I can build there because I need a challenger to be turned on that turntable.
But none the less a challenger will be turned at that turntable
SpaceMouseMine will be a 8 1/2" round hole in the layout with an Atlas Turntable at the bottom.
KevinIt will be at least a few months, or maybe a couple of years before I get to this project anyway. At least now I have inspiration and good examples to follow. -Kevin
Mine will be a 8 1/2" round hole in the layout with an Atlas Turntable at the bottom.
Chip
Building the Rock Ridge Railroad with the slowest construction crew west of the Pecos.
I went to MB Klein and added the Atlas turntable and motorizing unit to my cart. $70.00 for the two items. Not bad. When I get a few more items in my cart I will place the order.
It will be at least a few months, or maybe a couple of years before I get to this project anyway.
At least now I have inspiration and good examples to follow.
This is one old thread worth reviving.
Rich
Alton Junction
FWIW, here is my version of adding a pit to the Atlas turntable. In this case the bridge has been extended on both ends by about 1 1/2".
After all the work I decided not to use it, mostly because of the noise.
Dave
I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!
SeeYou190It looks like with your system I could easily add one inch to the bridge on each side to bring the length to eleven inches. That should accomodate a USRA mikado.
I'm going in the opposite direction. I'm going to make the TT smaller--8-8 1/2 inches.
MisterBeasleyI think a simple girder bridge would have been more appropriate than all the I-beam work of the truss bridge. I built this with Code 100 track, because the layout was all Code 100 then. I like Code 83 better now, and would use that.
Thank you for the information.
I believe I have a project for my 2 foot by 4 foot module I am going to assemble. This will be great for it.
It looks like with your system I could easily add one inch to the bridge on each side to bring the length to eleven inches. That should accomodate a USRA mikado.
Yes, I still have the turntable and roundhouse. I did move a couple of years ago. The system still worked when I took it down. It's still largely in one piece and would probably work fine when I reassemble it.
The noisy drive is somewhat mitigated by having the mechanism recesssed into the thick foam layout surface rather than sitting on top of it.
I think a simple girder bridge would have been more appropriate than all the I-beam work of the truss bridge.
I built this with Code 100 track, because the layout was all Code 100 then. I like Code 83 better now, and would use that.
Kevin Mister Beasley, now that it has been so many years since this AMAZING project was put into service... 1) How was the reliability in the long run? 2) What would you do differently? This is the best Atlas Turntable conversion I have seen. Nice work. -Kevin
Mister Beasley, now that it has been so many years since this AMAZING project was put into service...
1) How was the reliability in the long run?
2) What would you do differently?
This is the best Atlas Turntable conversion I have seen. Nice work.
Thanks for posting to this.
Mr. B.--Ditto above.
that's pretty slick! kudos
Hi Boxcar. I am the only "Steve" off hand that I see here although that doesn't mean much with out nics LOL.
Anyhow if you did mean me I did make a turntable but it was not an atlas one it w3as all made from scratch sorry.
However if you or anyone else wanted a link to my place here it is.
http://fsm1000.googlepages.com
Have fun Boxcar and welcome to our little place on the planet. :):)
If you go to the first post of this thread, the description and pictures are all there. It's the only place that all the parts are together in the same place.
I'm not sure who "Steve" is, but welcome aboard anyway!
Hi Steve.
I'm new to the forum and your page is the first one I opened based upon your redesign of the atlas tuntable deck into a pit tt. Read someplace that your pictorial was excellent. Is is still on the web? I went to the linked page but I couldnot it. Can you please help me.
Thank You and have a great day.
Boxcar99
Thanks for bringing this back up , I just finished install a 90' Walthers TT and been researching around for scenicking the area . There's going to be a small built up area in back ontop of the tunnel. Anyone have any suggestions for the groundwork , I've bee trying to find some good pics , I'm not sure how the grounds would be or if the TT ledge would be even with the surrounding area.
Lynn
Present Layout progress
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/11/p/290127/3372174.aspx#3372174
I took this overhead the other day. The scenery all around the turntable is finished now, so I could take a photo with no pink foam in it.
Mister B,
Thanks so much for posting your bit of Yankee Ingenuity. I've seen many articles and what not concerning converting the Atlas TT into something more realistic, and yours is tops. While maybe not for everyone, your TT is definately a way to get a good looking, good operating TT for less than a couple hundred bucks. I also think you did a fantastic job of explaining how the job was done - the "hey, I can do that too" that ran through my mind while reading your "how to" was the same that I got when reading Art Curren's articles.
GREAT JOB!!
I am impressed!
Great "how to", Mr B!
George
"And the sons of Pullman porters and the sons of engineers ride their father's magic carpet made of steel..."
I sat back and watched this thread develop. Mr.B , I really like what you did and it works, that's the main point.Your knowledge that you have developed on stonework, really comes across on this one. Nice job.
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
Mr. B..... Fantastic job and "how to" essay.
Kudos...... Bob/Iron Goat
wickman wrote: Fantastic job Mr. B. and excellent idea. Just curious Mr. B. how much room is needed to do a project like this including TT , round house and rails. I've been thinking of building up my Atlas TT for some time but have always thought I don't have enuff room.
Fantastic job Mr. B. and excellent idea.
Just curious Mr. B. how much room is needed to do a project like this including TT , round house and rails. I've been thinking of building up my Atlas TT for some time but have always thought I don't have enuff room.
The turntable itself takes up a 10-inch circle. The Atlas roundhouse needs about a 16-inch square for the 3 stalls. I've added a pair of additional tracks, but those would be optional. I'm squeezed for space, too, but I tucked this inside a loop. Turntables and roundhouses are such attention-getters that I felt I really wanted one. The basic turntable rail is only 9 inches, and will barely fit a Proto 2K 0-6-0. Likewise, the Atlas roundhouse is really designed for this turntable, and will only hold 9-inch engines comfortably. You could stretch that a bit if you allow the nose to stick out the door, and don't add a track bumper other than the block provided as part of the roundhouse floor.