More updates:
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/100_0546.JPG)
I like the configuration of that yard area very much. My hat’s off to its designer(s) and builders.
Much improved over the old one.
The last of the switches needed for the “Arrival/departure yard” should be here this coming week. It will take a few days to do the modifications to them, then we can finish up the track laying.
The turntable is installed and has been tested several times. It seems to meet the standards we have set. This copy of the “Dave Goodson Memorial Turntable” was constructed by Lawrence Watkins.
NO…Dave Goodson has NOT passed away. He is very much alive and in good health.
Our turntables are named after him with great appreciation, for his suggestion for a space saving way of incorperating a turntable into a limited space. Before naming the turntables, I talked with Dave, and he enjoyed the humour… The tables are named with a chuckle, and the memory of his suggestion, at a time when I needed a good idea for turning a loco in a limited area situation.
There are pictures of the original two tables, on our website, at: www.ovgrs.org/ and the new one will join them eventually. In the mean time, I’ll try to get a picture to Bruce, as soon as I can, for posting here on this continuing thread.
THANK YOU, Bruce, for posting for me; it is most appreciated.
Jon Radder said:The reasons for doing so were stated but I was recently turned onto this particular website for satellite views and found the local railyard has just such an arrangement at the East End of the yards. So I find it quite prototypical.
Looks good Fred. I'm curious about the switch layout. Was the design used to conserve space and keep the tracks closer together?
http://mapper.acme.com/
Map coordinates N 42.08476 W 78.46167
Chas
Cool - Thanks Chas 
File this one under “There’s a Prototype for Everything” !
Last switches arrived…need one rebuilt for tomorrow…that will finish the track work at Firgrove. There is one more stub siding that we may put in later, if it is needed.
Pictures may be sent to Bruce tomorrow evening. We may drive the last spike on Saturday, to complete the Firgrove Project.
The trackwork at Firgrove is complete…sorry, no-one brought a camera…I’ll get pictures soon.
Fred Mills said:Yep, but there was Bheer, right Padre? ;) :lol:
The trackwork at Firgrove is complete....sorry, no-one brought a camera.....I'll get pictures soon.
There is always appropriate refreshment for all workers, and management.
Although it might be noted, that there are no actual “Workers”, on the IPP&W; we have determined that our success as a railroad company comes from the fact that all supposed “Workers” are declared Vice Presidents, after their acceptance by the group of friends.
Fred Mills said:
There is always appropriate refreshment for all workers, and management.Although it might be noted, that there are no actual “Workers”, on the IPP&W; we have determined that our success as a railroad company comes from the fact that all supposed “Workers” are declared Vice Presidents, after their acceptance by the group of friends.
Padre,
Very good advise. One German LSer (roundy-round type) opined that operating sounds like unpaid labour. I just had to tell him that remuneration is based on merit and paid out in refreshments.
The good operators get Bheer and the Lemons get lemonade.
“remuneration”
That sounds like a word I try to say when my upper lip goes numb from too many “Rum and Cokes”. 
The latest pictures. Overview
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/NewFirgroveOverview.jpg)
Firgrove Valley
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/NewFirgroveValley.jpg)
Yard Area
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/NFGYardArea.jpg)
Station Area
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/NFGStationArea.jpg)
Turntable
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/NGFTurntable.jpg)
I’m looking forward to seeing this in person.
Whew, I like that turntable and it’s stops.
Nice work, Fred. I’m interested in the turntable and how it is constructed. Do you have any under construction photos or advice for us. Thanks for all you have done for the hobby.
Ric Golding said:And I'm glad to see some empty space for the placing of beverage bottles, cups, cans , etc...............;)
Whew, I like that turntable and it's stops.
Well thought out…
Mario;
Thanks for asking. We have three turntables, all designed about the same. They are based on a 6" "Lazy Susan" bearing, generally available at Home Despot or other builders' Supply houses. We use Aluminium plate, for the actual table, with the sides bent up to form a trough type structure.
The rail is attached to the aluminium plate with either rivets, or metal threading screws.
The idea is to make the platform of the table, the bearing and the rail top, equal in height from the wood roadbed, as average track…eg: LGB, Aristo, or USTrains, track railheight.
We do not build an actual pit, but instead try to “Simulate” a pit, as in one of the pictures on our web page.
The construction method does not lend itself to track power, as the metal rails on the Aluminium plate will cause a short. We are strictly R/C battery operators.
Fred sent some new pictures, as well as a note from Lawrence Watkins, the builder of the latest DGM Turntable on the IPP&W. "Attached are pictures I took today… Some talking points … The New Firgrove turn table was designed to turn engines with an attached power car. It was placed on the edge of the bench work so it takes up less space (30 inch semi-circle compared to a 48 diameter circle). The heavy end (usually the engine) is always moved over the bench work not the aisle so the table will not buckle.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/TurnTableSideView.jpg)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/TurnTableSwing.jpg)
The north end of the turn table has a stand-by track, an engine house track and a carry box track used to load/unload the trains from carrying boxes. The south end has two exit tracks to New Firgrove station and yard.
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/TurnTableandCarryingBox.jpg)
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/IPPW/FreightHouse.jpg)
The turntable is 48 inches long 8 inches wide. The base is 1/8 inch aluminium plate with the sides bent up 1/2 inch to give longatutional strength. The floor is ceder strips cut to the height of the rail and trimmed underneath to fit flush against the rail and cover the screws holding the brass rail. The arch is made from fiberglass strips used to hold the ends of a change link fence. It provides no structural strength just a decorative element and a catcher if the trains are jolted off the rails when moving the turn table. The swivel is an ordinary lazy Suzanne. Rock and Rail? This is what happens when the heavy rain, gravel a hot day and cool nights, and a rail gap (for heat expansion) that is too large. The stone had to be pried out
Mother Nature worked so hard to get that rock in just the right place and then you guys have to come along and try to improve the installation.
Fred,
Thanks for the info, additional photos, and the description of the DGMT. What thickness plate do you use and what is the preferred bending method you employ? Thanks again.