Large Scale Central

Turn Table Build Thoughts.

Modeling
#1

The build challenge is over and I still have the itch to construct. Since I built the 2 bay engine house I thought how nice woudl it be to have a turntable. Due to space restrictions the turn table will need to be at the opposite end of my raised bench but that is OK.

Here is my inspiration a through bridge turn table that used to stand in Hyannis. I think the photo is from the 60’s.

I like the through bridge design since the pit doesn’t need to be as deep as a conventional turntable. I have already done some napkin sketches to get my mind reved up for this. I plan on building the bridge part using plastic wood. It will be 6" wide by 24" long. I plan on making a square base probably 25-26" square and building up from there. I will need to carve out a corner on my bench and this will hang off the edge. I am also track powered so I was thinking about using a headphone jack as a powered pivot.

If you guys have any tips and tricks so I can avoid “pitfalls” pun intended that would be great.
Thanks

#2

Looking forward to this build, I need 2

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/t1/1779356_1465363773691995_1346797562_n.jpg)

If Ya need some detail pics like this

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/t1/1902079_1465365463691826_793805624_n.jpg)

let me know i have a few here

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1465363533692019.1073741871.1434873433407696&type=3&uploaded=12

#3

Bruce Chandler has a thread about how he built one similar to the one you have in the picture.

There may be others, too.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/6649/search/view/page/1

#4

Todd you probable already know this…
Go to Pufferbellies down the street and measure the court yard!
Old Pit for that unit, and round house is the club

#5

Here is some I built in the past…

#6

Nice photos Mark.

Thanks Ken for the link to Bruce Chandlers build, that gave me lots of ideas.
My plans are to flip the bridge so the pit doesn’t need to be so deep just like the prototype in the photo.

Sean I have walked all over that area but never fell into the pit which I’m sure has been filled in by now.

You guys know me by now that I build by the seat of my pants and choose function over form especially when the build is going to be outdoors. I don’t plan on this turntable being a scale model but it will work and look like a turntable. The extra details are secondary. HAHA

If there are any more builds like Bruces’ please post the links. I’m still in the napkin stage here.

Thanks

#7

Todd,

Terry built a nice turntable last year.

http://www.largescalecentral.com/forums/topic/18937/so-i-decided-i-needed-a-turntab

#8

That is a really nice pit you built Daniel. Do you have any photos of how you did it?

I now remember that turntable that Terry made I even commented on it a few times. That one is a marvel. Using patio slider wheels is an idea I will keep in my back pocket.

With all these ideas this turntable is practically done! Actually I hope to start cutting this afternoon.

#9

http://s615.photobucket.com/user/danielpeck/library/#/user/danielpeck/library/Turn%20table%20Build?sort=3&page=1&_suid=1393458209924043450228374460237

Link to my turntable build, pics only…

#10

Well, you said you were going to hang it on the edge, may I suggest that you have some kind of retaining something, so you don’t accidentally drive a locomotive over the edge. I prefer to have a safety something just in case I forget to throw a switch. And you will need a switch, so you can match the polarity of the bridge rails to the layout, if you are going to use a phono jack/plug arrangement.

#11

Looks good Dan, The Garden Metal Model Ties look great. I assume there’s a roller bearing under the edges of the Bridge.

#12

The picture of the turntable bridge in mark dash’s thrradis from the genese and rochester valley railroad museam just south of rochester ny. They have a nice collection of early diesels including a running rs3 from tbe kodak plant in rochedter.

#13

Oops thread

#14

Mark Dash said:

TROY MALECKI said:
The picture of the turntable bridge in mark dash’s thrradis from the genese and rochester valley railroad museam just south of rochester ny. They have a nice collection of early diesels including a running rs3 from tbe kodak plant in rochedter.

The Kodak engine is actually an RS-1 not and RS-3 - the turntable is behind this engine on the opposite side of the road

(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1006159_580816625304225_114080997_n.jpg)

They do have a Lehigh RS-3 but thats usually in the upper lot out of sight

(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t1/1044117_580814745304413_1367224994_n.jpg)

#15

Wow Daniel Heavy Duty build.

I got a bit of the bridge done today, no photos yet.

#16

I used a set of rollers I bought at Lowes for a set of sliding shower doors.

#17

David Maynard said:

Well, you said you were going to hang it on the edge, may I suggest that you have some kind of retaining something, so you don’t accidentally drive a locomotive over the edge. I prefer to have a safety something just in case I forget to throw a switch.

Good idea David, I once almost had a major crash involving my beloved bachmann 2-6-6-2 that was saved by dirty track. I was making a movie “The Weed Train” and the train was heading home onto a dead end stub with a 3’ drop at the end. I was so busy getting the video shot I totally forgot about this but luckily the ghost of Casey Jones stopped the train on that one section of dirty track.

#18

Tod,

Here is the way I solved the problem.

This view from last year shows how the turntable hangs off the end of the bench work, the “safety rail” not yet installed.

I took this picture in the rain this morning. The bridge is stored for the winter but you can see how the safty railing was/is mounted so the center line of it is at coupler height on rolling stock.

Not a scale model, just a place to turn loco’s at the end of the yard.

Rick

#19

That is a great idea Rick.

I have a similar setup. There won’t be any tracks off the turntable it is just a place to spin a loco.

You have given me ideas…

#20

I just noticed something else on your table Rick. It looks like you have a slide piece that locks the rails in the right position. Clever.

I found some nice metal wheels at the hardware store today for $10 and I picked up a headphone jack for the pivot.

Progress is being made but as usual it is slow.

Stay tuned