Armstrong gallows turntables

In my standard gauge experience, two GP7 or F7 units, coupled.  We had a hand operated turntable at Bellville, TX.  A 2-8-2 would have been the largest steam locomotive turned there.

In actual practice, we had a derelict ATSF Ford pickup with rock ballast in the bed and almost no brakes that was officially retired but had never left the property (and nobody had noticed, wink), and it was frequently chained to the turntable and driven around the perimeter when engines needed turning.  More fun, and less sweat in the south Texas heat and high humidity.

Wonder what the length was in feet of that Bellville turntable?

Number 90 posted:

In my standard gauge experience, two GP7 or F7 units, coupled.  We had a hand operated turntable at Bellville, TX.  A 2-8-2 would have been the largest steam locomotive turned there.

In actual practice, we had a derelict ATSF Ford pickup with rock ballast in the bed and almost no brakes that was officially retired but had never left the property (and nobody had noticed, wink), and it was frequently chained to the turntable and driven around the perimeter when engines needed turning.  More fun, and less sweat in the south Texas heat and high humidity.

Like today in Houston.  High about 95, but the humidity made ot feel at least 105.  Yes, an unofficial pu made a lot of sense.

Did the pu only have the lowest gear running?

colorado hirailer posted:

I wonder what would have been the longest engine a prototype would have handled?  Most HO kits, and this article in NG&SLG, are just for narrow gauge consolidations.  I want possibly two that would handle the MTH Russian Decapods, possibly a model of the Great Western/Strasburg Decapods, and of the Little River 2-4-4-2.  Every now and then an O scale kit surfaces, but they have also been for small locos.  Any of the logging roads that used articulateds have Armstrong gallows turntables to accommodate them?

A gallows turntable is basically a rotating suspension bridge, less expensive to build than a steel deck turntable. I think 65' is about the longest practical length for a wood gallows turntable, which most kits are of the wooden variety.

I was able to locate one steel gallows turntable, but it's powered, not an "Armstrong."

Rusty

Diamond Scale shows a Gallows TT on the website, HO. about 9" bridge.  Double that for O, 18"  

Any reason it needs to be a gallows type?

The NYS&W Hawthorne NJ facilities has an "armstrong" turntable; however it was not a "gallows" type.  Note the lever extending from the bridge.  The 2-10-0's might have been turned there.

I  believe "armstrong"  turntables were fairly common, often used at the end of commuter runs.  The East Broad Top has one as well.