Large Scale Central

Turn Table Build Thoughts.

Modeling
#21

Todd Haskins said:

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…

How does the locomotive arrive on the table without tracks?

This section of the layout has no track power so the all brass slides work very well for centering and locking the rails in place. On the other end of the layout where track power is used I made the slide from heavy styrene with brass channel along each side that slides against the rails these sliders have jumper wires from below. Works well because it automatically index’s the power direction.

Later

Rick

#22

Of course there is a track coming onto the turntable what I meant Rick was there will not be any tracks heading off to service sidings etc… I don’t have the room for that.
More progress has been made, The bridge is looking good, the guide wheels are screwed on and the guide track is bent and nailed down. The next step is to bend and attach the pit wall. I found a piece of plastic trim at the lumber store 2" by 8’ by 1/2 thick that is used as weather stripping on a garage door. I cut off the rubber and it should be good to go with a bit of paint.

#23

Looks good, can’t wait for the finished version.

#24

Update. The turntable progress has been slow but it is coming. The 4 holes in the base will have screen put over them for drainage and the floor will have gravel glued in. The top and sides still need to be painted. I think I will plank the deck of the bridge. The last step will be to decide how to power it. In place is a stereo jack but I might do a powered slide tht will lock in the track and so I won’t need to put in a DPDT switch. Someday it might be ready.

#25

Today was in the mid 40’s so I was out to setup the turntable on the edge of the bench. I made a 24"x24" frame for it to sit on and screwed it to the bench. The turntable will sit on this but I don’t think I will attach since I will bring the whole thing in for the Winter. I’m yet to do the wiring but will put in a DPDT switch and perhaps do some type of colour coding so I don’t mess up and pop a fuse.

I’m very excited to be adding this to my RR and it will be fun to turn some locos this coming Spring.

#26

Todd,

Don’t you just have to match the polarity of the bridge rails to the approach rails?

If you use a split ring commutator, like an Atlas HO turntable, that will be automatic, won’t it?

http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/163407.aspx

Ignore rrinker’s erroneous reply.

Hope this helps.

Sincerely,

Joe Satnik

#27

Todd Haskins said:

I’m yet to do the wiring but will put in a DPDT switch and perhaps do some type of colour coding so I don’t mess up and pop a fuse.

A simpler way to do it would be with a square piece of styrene fit between the rails and some metal foil tape on the each rail side. This would also act to keep the rails aligned when running a loco onto the turntable.

#28

Today was 50 degrees BRING ON THE SPRING !! I got out and hooked up the turntable using a DPDT switch. The switch in the center spot is off, flip to the right drive the engine on, rotate, flip switch to the left and drive off. I just need to remember which way the polarity is going so I will flip the switch the right way. I have the same setup on my WYE and that DPDT is flipped to position depending which way hte train is approaching and then which way it will be leaving.

I’m pretty excited to add this turntable to my operation. I made it removable so in the off season I can take it in. Perhaps in a few weeks it will go out to stay. Photos to come.

#29

Maybe you could put a mark on the turntable and a mark on the switch, to aid in alignment, Or put something on one end of the turntable, like a control shack. When the shack is to the left, so is the switch. When the shack is to the right, so is the switch. Just a though.

#30

Duct tape a ball point pen to the bottom of the table. Weaken the spring and let the ball sit in an indent to align the rails…

The indent can be a vertical groove so you don’t have to keep it as level as you visualize…

Brass tube, ol’ softy spring and a ball bearing. Compress tube end to keep ball in. Balls can roll out where pins balk.

When I was wire bound I always let the receiving 'n departure tracks supply power, polarity is auto.

John

#31

Thanks guys
I decided to add a control shack to the turntable to aid in the polarity direction issue.

That is a clever idea wiith the pen and indent to position the track John.

#32

Here it is jsut about done with the control shack in place. Once the Spring finally actually arrives (we might get 12" of snow tomorrow) the turntable will go out for the season.
I don’t think I will add that little arch that is on the original seen in that old photo I posted first. Does anyone know what it was used for? There looks to be a wire going to it?

(http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/capecodtodd/_forumfiles/TurnTableDone.jpg)

The pit is covered with aquarium gravel that is glued down. The 2 holes visible there are 4 in total are for drainage.There is screen under them. I messed up I should have put 2 of the holes under the bridge to hide them. At the bottom right you can see the DPDT switch under the overhang.
Once the weather breaks I think this will be my new favorite part of the RR.

#33

Todd Haskins said:

I don’t think I will add that little arch that is on the original seen in that old photo I posted first. Does anyone know what it was used for? There looks to be a wire going to it?

That was the wire that powered the electric motors in the turntable to turn it. The arch on the turntable was what held it up and out of the way.

#34

That makes sense Ken. I was thinking about a phone line for communications but power for the motors makes more sense. I guess I need to build something now. Thanks.

#35

Todd, turntables were powered in other ways. Some had small gas engines, some used steam, some used compressed air, and some were “Armstrong” turntables. Meaning that they were pushed by hand.

#36

That is true David Originally I was going to make it an Armstrong type because all the turnouts on my RR are switched by yours truly so why not have the turntable spun by hand too via a armstrong handle. I always thought it was neat how a steam locomotive would connect up a steam line to power something like a turntable. I’m not familiar with a compressed air system but it is probably similar to a steam powered rig.
I suppose even a third rail subway type system could work as well.
What is really neat about turntables is how little power it took to spin them with a multi ton engine sitting on them. Engineering marvels they are.

#37

Less parts to fail!

#38

Sean is that a napkin sketch of your muscles?

#39

Some years back maybe! :slight_smile:

kathyinmo profile picture

or would you like my mothers pic?

#40

Sean,

I did not realize your mother was Lucy!