Bowser Turntables Discontinued!

Allegheny posted:

I just went to the Bowser website to find some spec's on a turntable.  What I read was they've discontinued production of turntables in ALL gauges! 

Does anyone know when this decision came about?

I have one of their older systems which needs some repair/upgrading so this puts a new twist into that project.

I think it was several years ago.

They were junk any ways.  I know, I have one.

It's been several years since they stopped making turn tables. Give Steve (Ross Custom Switches) a call. He may be able to help you with repairs.

Romiller 

superwarp1 posted:

They were junk any ways.  I know, I have one.

I'll second that!  We have one too. Although the bridge is very nicely detailed, the drive shaft is WAY TOO small in diameter and the drive designs is pure crap for O Scale size/weight locomotives.

I would recommend either a Ross or a Millhouse River Studios turntable, as both have 1" diameter drive shafts and EXCELLENT cog-belt drive systems. I up-graded our Bowser table to that cog-belt drive system.   

romiller49 posted:

It's been several years since they stopped making turn tables. Give Steve (Ross Custom Switches) a call. He may be able to help you with repairs.

Romiller 

I'll be doing Ross's drive upgrade when I get some extra cash.  My Bowser drive system died years ago.

Well I'll take the alternative viewpoint here.

I have an old 24" Bowser that has worked quite well since about 1998. Manual indexing only; no auto-indexing. When and if the drive system dies I will replace it with a Ross system likely. It handles most all non-articulated steam as well as a few diesels. For the cost, no complaints.

Rod

Guys thanks for the info and advise.  Could someone point me to a dimensioned drawing of a turntable that includes the tower?  I've searched my archives, and though I know I have seen a drawing somewhere, I can't seem to find it.  What I'm looking for are the dimensions for the tower as I wish to scratch build one.

Thanks

I had problems with a 24" Bowser slipping on its shaft.  Cure was to drill a fine hose through the shaft and the part that "clamped" it, and insert a pin (draft pin or brad.  Did this many years ago, so please don't ask for details.  Ross makes its drive system available in a kit to upgrade old Bowsers.

I understand that Bowser has phased out production of older products and die-cast items, and now the new Bowser items are made in China.

http://www.bowser-trains.com/aboutus.html

Lew English, Sr, co-founder of Bowser Manufacturing Company passed away on Feb 3, 2012.

"Could someone point me to a dimensioned drawing of a turntable that includes the tower?  I've searched my archives, and though I know I have seen a drawing somewhere, I can't seem to find it.  What I'm looking for are the dimensions for the tower as I wish to scratch build one."

Should be on the Internet, here and there.

A friend of mine has a Bowser turntable; never could "get it to work", as he said, though the specific maladies I don't know.

This seems to me a hole in our O-scale product mix - a moderately-priced, long enough for big articulateds, reliable, basic turntable. The high-end items are beautiful, but not everyone wants or can buy a $1500 turntable. The Atlas is good, I understand, but it's only 24" (my Lionel SP 2-8-8-4 AC-9 is 32" or so in wheelbase) and is goofy-looking - the "pit" moves!

If Atlas would offer both a 24" and a 36" (or so) version with a better visual (fine-scale not required), reliable, for under $500 - I'm there. I'd even replace my 32" scratch-built one (it works, looks good, but it's...not suave). 

Diamond Scale parts may work.  This is an older Diamond Scale TT.

Parts list. Click on the highlighted phrase.

O-scale Electrical Arch bridge is AK 104    $ 40.

Try this:

http://trc.trains.com/Train%20...ssue&issueId=578

You can buy the back issue from Railpub or get a copy of an article from Kalmbach Publishing

For more info/drawings, search  this:

http://trc.trains.com/en/Train...agazine%20Index.aspx

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