Atlas O Turntable?

You may want to save you dollars and shop for an older Diamond Scale, used, or either a Ross or Mill River Studios TT.   TT/RH projects take a good bit of space, often are the center piece of a layout.  IMO, you want to do this project so that you are always satisfied with it.  Mike   

Thanks Mike, but at $1,300 min for a turntable it ain't gonna happen, unless I win the lottery

I don't showcase my layout anyway, plus I'm good with my hands, so I think I'll look into making something.  If it works I'll dress it up a bit so it doesn't look so homemade.

I have a atlas turntable and it has been fine.  I agree it would be nice to have one with a pit.  I just can't justify the price of the fancy ones.  I paid right around $150 for mine about a year ago.  Then the round house was another $200.  If you look around you can find a good deal.  Good luck with your search. Jon

Not all internet pricing and stated stock availability is based on current information.

Used TT units can be had for around $100-$200.  They sporadically show up at train shows. 

I've seen photos of real turntables that appear to be nothing more than  a piece of track with earth dug out from around it, no real "pit".

My main thing was, why the price differences?  Atlas lists it much lower than most online stores, can I buy it direct from Atlas?  Of course the shipping would push the price up, but I'll be paying for it from an online dealer as well.  Not sure if my LHS has them, need to check their prices if they do.

I've only seen 3 real TTs in person, one in Norfolk (N&W), one in Savannah (SAL?), and one in Hagerstown (WM?).  Some pretty nasty pieces of RR equipment, not something they would keep clean I expect.  All 3 had pits.

LOL!  I just went to the Atlas site and, even though they show it as $150 here:

http://www.atlaso.com/oturntable.htm

When you go to their online store and type in 6910 it lists as $230 here:

https://secure.atlasrr.com/ato1/searchresult.asp

Oh well, still I've seen it online for around $180, just need to keep looking.

The only issue I've seen people talk about was the belt drive would get loose.  Do the new ones still have the belt drive?

Here is a link to my build pictures.  Design is a copy of Diamond Scale. Parts are fabricated, Atlas,  Diamond Scale, Crow River,  and Bowser.   Surprisingly I spent with-in 30% of what either the Ross or Millhouse River Studio TT cost, not including my time.  It works and it works quite well.  

Best wishes on you project.

Mike CT     

Nice Mike

I wish I had kept one of the old BetaMax recorders I used to work on, they had a large gear inside that would be good to use on a turntable of this size.

Until recently I hadn't given a TT much thought, but now I feel it may be better than using the Wye I had in mind.

Bob

I have the 6910 ( off the bay) new 150.00 shipped from about a year and a half ago. I purchased the 6904 roundhouse that's designed for the 6910 from a member selling on OGR site new 140.00 + shipping. It took time to find the price I was willing to pay. Neither is high end equipment but, I like them both and the belts have been discussed in depth on other threads here (good info). I have not had a problem with it's operation. It may take some time but deals are out there . It's just going to be the fun of the hunt.

Larry

A turntable is a great focal point but requires a lot of space especially is a roundhouse is included.  On my layout they dominate one whole end.  I had drive belt issues until I changed over to a DC power pack.  Since the change the belt has been fine.

Thanks guys!  I had 2 on my old HO layout and they got lots of use.

Bob, I have an Atlas TT with 2 motors (both with drive belts off) for a $95 + shipping if you have an interest.

Bob,

     I purchased a used one off of e-Bay about a month ago....$75.00. So, deals are out there. I did replace the belt and it runs fine now. They run best at very low voltages. The largest engines that they can handle are just less than 24". No Centipedes or Big Boys will fit nor any ABA units of course. I also had difficulty with the color, so I painted it using a textured grey spray paint I got at Lowes. The tricky thing there was taping off the "track". I then painted the ties black and gave the top of the track a silver coat. I think it looks a little better, but that is in the eyes of the beholder. Now to get a layout done!

Rick

An in-between compromise would be to either build on yourself, or pick up a used Bower turn-table.  Either one could be upgraded with a Millhouse River Studios Turntable Drive Upgrade kit.  Al's drive kit works very smoothly, even at low speeds!

I built my own for about $300 (including using Bowser's detail kit, and other Bowser parts) and bought a Millhouse River Studios Drive kit for $295, total investment of about $600.  Used Bowser turntable usually sell for about $250 (these probably should be framed to prevent pit warping - easy to do).  This option would also give a nice looking, great operating turntable for about $600.

The Millhouse River Studio came to the market after I had started my own build.  Quite honestly, if I were to do it over again,  I would opt to have one less train on the layout, and I would buy a Millhouse River Studios 28" turntable.

Jim

Bob,

As Rick mentions, one thing to keep in mind is engine size that the turntable can accomodate.  Due to the way the Atlas TT is constructed, the engine can't be any longer than the length of the TT bridge.  On a TT with a pit, the engine can be longer than the TT bridge, and the limiting length of an engine is the outside length of the front and rear wheels on the engine.  Thus, a 24" turntable with a pit could handle an engine longer than 24 inches.

Jim

A Diamond Scale TT (Model OT 105) at 26.5" bridge rail, can handle a pretty good sized locomotive.  Weaver M1a, long haul tender.


  The modular TT detailed above 31.5"
Comparison of the two different sized TT's  Aluminum frame bridge for the Modular TT.

Once over 30+" just about anything is possible.

Diamond Scale OT 105 in operation. There is a pencil mark on the near side of the table wall that allows for "eyeball" aligning of the tracks.  Also the insides of the bridge rail ends are tapered to allow for slight mis-alignment. Click on the image to access a video.

There was a nice AAA Turntable on the FOR SALE -OGR Forum. They sell for $4400 and the one for sale wanted to trade for a $1700.00 Engine. the difference in this turntable from all the others is that the End Bogies are powered. It's a 34 inch turntable. This makes turning a Big Boy or Challenger Easy. 

The Atlas -o is good for Diesels. Good Luck. 

Where did you get the bull and worm pinion gear? Also, is that a sensi-press with the riveting attachment. Considering the detail work you applied by hand, your cost is way over what the commercial units would cost, but it's a labor of love. I think the turntable is beautiful!

Can you provide the specs on the gearing? I just went on Boston Gear's website and my brains started dribbling out of my ears.

It's interesting to see the variations in how people drive these things. Bowser's drive is a small motor and gear train with a rubber pressure roller contacting the rim of the drive wheel, whereas your's is an industrial strength power drive which could drive a conveyor belt in a factory.

How much torque does it take to rotate the table with a big steam engine riding on it?

From the Diamond Scale website.
WG-9  Worm and drive gear for O-scale (1) required.
WS-87 3/16" X 6" worm shaft. (1) required.
B-187 3/16" ID Oil filled Bronze Bushing. (2) required.
SC-187 3/16" ID Shaft Collar  (2) required
B-437 7/16" ID Oil filled Bronze bushings (2) required.
SC-437 7/16"  ID Shaft collar (1) required.
Drive box was fabricated from 3/8" medium density particle board.
Main Turntable Drive shaft (7/16") with a 9" drive bar was fabricated locally.
US-1-21 Single universal fits 1/8" shaft (motor drive) to 3/16" shaft (Worm Drive shaft WS-87) (1) required.
MK-122-250 ohm 3 watt potentiomenter. Rotation speed control (1) required.
MK-111 Turntable Electric Motor and Gear reduction Kit. (1) required.
MK-130 Motor Replacement 10 volt DC (1) required (Spare).
1/16" steel rolled shaft pins.  (1) to attach the worm gear to the WS-87 worm shaft and (1) to attach the drive gear to the drive shaft. Caution: I used two set screws on the larger gear to allow for slip if the TT bridge bound in the pit. (A lot of torque, that can quickly damage the turn mechanics if jammed, even with a very small drive motor.
Switch Double pole, double throw Center Off, Momentary, Momentary.  TT electric motor drive control (DC) Clockwise/Counter Clockwise.  Has to be wired for a cross over.


Boston Gear part number appears to be G1049 which includes the Brass Drive and a single screw worm.  I ordered this and it came with a 3/8" shaft hole for the large gear that I had bored to 7/16" which was the Diamond Scale design. I also had it drilled and tapped for (2) 1/4" allen set screws.   Some who had the less robust Bowser TT with a much smaller drive shaft, had issues with the shaft bending, usually on a bind/stop.

You may also want to consider the pit boggie assemblies.
DT-09 Dolly Trucks O-Scale

B-437 7/16" ID Oil filled Bronze bushings (2) required Center of pit and drive block assembly.

Drive box was fabricated from 3/8" medium density particle board

Main Turntable Drive shaft (7/16") with a 9" drive bar was fabricated locally.  Brass washers were added for electrical conductivity. This moving electrical connection is track power/center rail on the bridge.

US-1-21 Single universal fits 1/8" shaft (motor drive) to 3/16" shaft (Worm Drive shaft WS-87) (1) required.  Also showing MK-111 Drive assembly.

DT-09 Dolly Trucks O-Scale



Turntable control. Double pole Double throw momentary cross over switch and potentiometer.



Turntable build project.  Click on the underlined phrase for a slideshow.

Bob,

Keep in mind that you can buy just a bridge from Ross.  They are going to be more than the Atlas TT but a fraction of the complete kit from Ross.  You could then use some of Mike's tips here to power it. (his are very nice)  I've actually seen some powered by a bicycle chain and sprocket that work quite well.

Dave

Thanks Dave, I'll take a look at just the bridge.

A bike chain and sprocket?!?!?!  Hmmm, I do have an old bike in the shed

Bought the Atlas TT and RH 5 years ago and regret it.  Don't get me wrong, it's nice and a cheaper alternative to the much nicer scale tables.  The RH and TT just take up too much real estate.  Had I known then what I know now, I would put in some double engine sheds around the layout and maybe a transfer table.

Ron045, I had a HO TT and RH when I was into that scale and you're right, the combo takes a lot of room.  If I get a TT I'll not get a RH.  If my expansion plan comes to light, I'll have a nice spot at the end of the extension for a TT, I doubt I'll even put a shed nearby.  I read somewhere that a number of RRs in the south worked on their engines (small repairs and such) outdoors due to the weather being warm most of the year (probably Florida).

Before I expand I need to replace 2-4 windows upstairs.  I already have 1 and if the install goes well I'll get another soon.

Hi Bob,

 I know having a pit would really add to the effect of a TT, but there IS a prototype for a completly wooden decked over pit, on the Maui Sugar Cane Train, at the Lahaina Station. We got Married in Maui in '09, and when I saw that TT, I about blurted out "It's the Atlas HO TT, in REAL Life". I would have to look and see if I have any pics, but as you can imagine, I was already pushing my luck with just the Train ride. Maybe Don (Scale Rail) can provide some.

Here is a video from youtube, no promises I did this right though,

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/V9TEZ-WBkZk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Doug

Nice video Doug!  It must be rough having to live in weather like that ALL year round

The Seaboard TT here in Portsmouth was a manual TT and turned by hand(s), must have been back-breaking work.

Space considerations.  Korber 304 (4th stall has been added)  and Diamond scale OT 105 26.5" TT.  Totol layout space including double mainline. 5' X 7'  Three tracks outside of the house. 

Korber 304 with a custom 31" TT modular.  4ft X 8ft (2 modules) and a 5'X6' transition "Y" module. Click on the image to access a video.

Mike Ct: Very nice video.

Thank you, I was testing the (2) Ross 204 3 way switches.    The 304 Korber house kit comes as a 3 stall kit. TT's available as small as 18"s also adds/subtracts from the space requirements.  Diagram from Rich Redman's Korber website.  There are other planning guides available on the Korber website.  Click on underlined phrases to link. 

Hi Bob,

Now for the disclaimers The video wasn't mine, just one that I found on youtube, that showed the turntable pretty well, I did ride that train though, the Locomotive was in Beautiful shape, they obviously take a LOT of Pride in it.

 As far as the weather being rough to handle year round, Don (Scale Rail) could give you a better answer, he is a local over there now. For ME, Maui is Beautiful, but NOT where I would want to live full time. Ideally if MONEY was not an issue(unfortunately it IS) I would LOVE to vist Maui for 3-4 weeks at a time, 2-3 times a year. I am a truck driver, and am used to traveling long distances, and I know that I would develop a severe case of "Island Fever" if that was my PERMANANT Home. But it is has been over 4 years, and We are more than ready to go back again, right after I win the lottery.

Doug

Doug wrote:

I know that I would develop a severe case of "Island Fever"

I know what you mean.  When I was working for Uncle Sam they MADE me go to Bermuda...3 times .  I didn't like the idea that I couldn't just leave whenever I wanted to.  You need a plane or boat, unless you

re a very good swimmer   At least on CONUS you can walk home if you really wanted to.