A Challenge to Ross Custom, Millhouse River, or AAA

Thought I would revive this thread and ask the question. If this double turntable was built in O scale what size would be preferred? I was thinking of tinkering with putting two 24" tables together which would make the overall length somewhere around 46 to 48" x 28".  If we build one. My thought was that a larger size set of tables would be way too large for your average layout. Let me hear your input.

One, I do not think that the engineering would be crazy.  Easier than syncing over lapping rotor blades on a Chinook with a mixer box.

Two, I believe  it is very practical.  Germans would not do anything wasteful when it comes to infrastructure. 

I always looked at a standard large round house as being a real bottle neck for getting a bunch of engines out in a hurry for a busy schedule.  This is a great way to do it. 

The issue is not how many engines the RR could stall but how quick the engines could be sent out.

Like having two transfer bridges on a large transfer table.

Large American RRs  frequently had dual adjacent TTs  and RHs.

I am sure Ross could build a large transfer table with two bridges.

Al don't wast you time, to big and whats the point, a few extra stalls and it would not Handel the Big Boys.  It would however give bragging rights for a bit until you get bored with it.

Verry interesting, I never heard of dual overlapping turntables before. Apparently there only two real-world examples in Germany. It's worth understanding the reason behind them.

Some quick internet research tells me that these facilities originally had smaller dual turntables almost touching. Dual turntables aren't entirely uncommon and have been used where traffic is heavy. But when engines got longer and longer turntables were needed, these two facilities in Germany resorted to installing longer turntables in the same location with resulting overlap, apparently because space was limited and they wanted to use the existing roundhouses (which presumably had some stalls extended).

For modelling purposes it's a freak arrangement with no American prototypes. Yeah, it's certainly unusual but people will be asking you "why?" For most model railroaders it's enough of a stretch to fit in a turntable and roundhouse of prototypical size, especially if the roundhouse approaches a full circle - which would have difficult access for maintenance and viewing on a model railroad.

It would be interesting to see someone built a model version of dual overlapping turntables but I see it as an impractical project which would use up a lot of space that could be used to enhance a layout in other ways.

It'd bee super cool to see, for logistical reasons I would stick with the short turntables but it would be a unique way to show case a company and product lines versatility and customizability. I say go for it, 24" turntables would work just fine, nobody is going to put a big boy on it since Germany didnt have big boys

Notch 6 posted:

... The real question is who is up to the challenge of a dual turntable?

 

 

Somehow I missed this thread when it was first posted...

The bigger issue is how many model train enthusiasts have the real estate for such a monster!  As it stands today, most folks are challenged to even find space for a single turntable, let alone one with a 180-degree or near-360-degree roundhouse.  Two turntables with an accompanying roundhouse would be almost unheard of.    These are too easy to design on paper or computer with today's CAD programs, but it's a whole different thing to see how much space these things take up in our basements.

David

How about a transfer table with a turntable at one end?

I'll go out on a limb and state that for a hobbiest it probably wouldn't be all that difficult to do. 

Even with my very basic skills, I was able to cobble my own scatch built turntable together.

Here is one pic from early into my build:

No reason that one couldn't take the same approach with two over-lapping circles (pits).  The bridge pivots around the center and the pit rails on which the bridge bogies rest could easily be made to overlap as well.

For me, however, the biggest constraints would be both space and cost.  Two powering kits alone would cost at least $600.

Jim

The big problem here is that Al is contemplating doing something ridiculous and unnecessary and nobody encouraging him, what a bunch of fuddy duddies

Above:

"Awesome German engineering"

Oh, please. I've owned and driven more than one example of "awful German complication" 

Which is why I don't, now. (An example: I had a BMW die on the test drive; I got back in the Dodge and left.)

I drive a Claas  chopper. Dodge aint comin' close to that one!

John H posted:

I drive a Claas  chopper. Dodge aint comin' close to that one!

Do you buy at Salem? The Germans are quite impressive. We drive their cars.

audi

Matt Makens posted:

The big problem here is that Al is contemplating doing something ridiculous and unnecessary and nobody encouraging him, what a bunch of fuddy duddies

I think Al should attempt this project.  What a great conversation piece it would be for train shows!

Jim

cbojanower posted:

It has been done 

Been done in N scale with small turntables, and populated with smaller European locomotives. It would be overly large and impractical and illogical for O scale with American mainline steam ... for most of us.

Build it Al, Build it. Dont listen to the nay-sayers, they wouldnt know awesome if it punched em in the face

I say go for it, I don't have room or funds for it, but somebody does. Push the envelope !!! Take it to the Limit!! Go one better!! Aim High!!