New Atlas Turntable

Looks like a very big improvement.

I ordered one which should be in this week.  I'll let you know what I think after install.

I've got an original that I ordered after seeing the prototype at York many years ago and I think it's the best postwar-style accessory that Lionel never made. I use mine with the manual crank, is that still an option?

This turntable is made by Atlas, however the manual crank is still included with it.

Davety: I know Atlas made it, I own it. Read it again.

I hope the rollers under the table are improved because the original type were undersized and junk. The one I had would not even rotate under the weight of the engine.

If so I might be inclined to buy one.

artyoung posted:

Davety: I know Atlas made it, I own it. Read it again.

Ok, it's hard to see what you're getting at with your statement. Perhaps worded differently would be less confusing. Since this is not a post-war accessory (it's modern) and Lionel hasn't made their turntable since 1964, over 50 years ago. You might understand why I saw it that way.

Freight Train Jim posted:

I hope the rollers under the table are improved because the original type were undersized and junk. The one I had would not even rotate under the weight of the engine.

If so I might be inclined to buy one.

From their website:

• New - larger and more powerful motor

• New - flat cogged anti-slip belt

• New - deck support with more roller bearings for greater support

of heavier locomotives

• New - redesigned metal contacts to power the rotating track

Certainly looks like they improved the product. 

The obvious advantage to me is the ease of installation. However it has nowhere near the detail of pit type turntables.  Does this product also have a smaller footprint than those available from other sources?

Paul

Railrunnin posted:

Certainly looks like they improved the product. 

The obvious advantage to me is the ease of installation. However it has nowhere near the detail of pit type turntables.  Does this product also have a smaller footprint than those available from other sources?

Paul

Its takes up 26" and the turn part of the table is 24".

What's the price of this new turntable and who has them?

$299.99 msrp. I bought direct, I'm sure some dealers will have them.

I have an unopened one from many years ago that I plan to use.  I wonder if I can get the new parts to upgrade it?  Looks like another email to Atlas.

Wow!  They really have made some much needed improvements.  I had to totally change out the motor and drive system on my old Atlas turn table.  The rubber band drive was terrible.  

Just last week, Atlas put out this video about their new turntable. On their YouTube channel.

I was impressed....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaOeToIjEJo

Check it out: Gary

Is the house that covers the motor the same size as the original?  I wonder if the new motor/belt drive can be retro-fitted to the older TT?

If not, I have a box full of motors and might see if I can DIY.

Yes, the shed is the same size on both.

Davety posted:

artyoung posted:

Davety: I know Atlas made it, I own it. Read it again.

Ok, it's hard to see what you're getting at with your statement. Perhaps worded differently would be less confusing. Since this is not a post-war accessory (it's modern) and Lionel hasn't made their turntable since 1964, over 50 years ago. You might understand why I saw it that way.

perhaps this will help - the word never is the key - "that Lionel never made"

Moonman posted:

Davety posted:

artyoung posted:

Davety: I know Atlas made it, I own it. Read it again.

Ok, it's hard to see what you're getting at with your statement. Perhaps worded differently would be less confusing. Since this is not a post-war accessory (it's modern) and Lionel hasn't made their turntable since 1964, over 50 years ago. You might understand why I saw it that way.

perhaps this will help - the word never is the key - "that Lionel never made"

I saw that, it's word trickery and it's supposed to be confusing. People only use it to try and look smart.

This thread is starting to get off topic. Lets try and keep the posts on topic about the new Atlas turntable please.

Davety posted:

Freight Train Jim posted:

I hope the rollers under the table are improved because the original type were undersized and junk. The one I had would not even rotate under the weight of the engine.

If so I might be inclined to buy one.

From their website:

• New - larger and more powerful motor

• New - flat cogged anti-slip belt

• New - deck support with more roller bearings for greater support

of heavier locomotives

• New - redesigned metal contacts to power the rotating track

I really never did have much of a problem with it's flimsy drive system.  The biggest issue has always been something I've never been able to remedy,  the table bed having intermittent or weak electrical contact with the engines causing erratic shutdowns, DCS engines being especially problematic or unable to receive signal.  If this new replacement cured those problem and its a drop in utilizing  all existing wiring, I may go for it...

joe  

Davety, Thanks for starting this topic. Hope you will give us full report on setup and how it works.

I have the older model and it worked fine once I replaced the rubber band drive with an O ring suggested here on the forum. All went well until I "weathered" it. I got some of the "weathering" under the table and in the mechanics...I can still manually turn it, but lost the gears etc. !!  Lesson learned. I am considering getting the new improved model. Looking forward to your updates. I have even figured out a way to "weather" it this time without goofing the whole thing up.

Does it take up the same space as old table?

Thanks,

Tom

Tom Q Fan posted:

Davety, Thanks for starting this topic. Hope you will give us full report on setup and how it works.

I have the older model and it worked fine once I replaced the rubber band drive with an O ring suggested here on the forum. All went well until I "weathered" it. I got some of the "weathering" under the table and in the mechanics...I can still manually turn it, but lost the gears etc. !!  Lesson learned. I am considering getting the new improved model. Looking forward to your updates. I have even figured out a way to "weather" it this time without goofing the whole thing up.

Does it take up the same space as old table?

Thanks,

Tom

Yes, it takes up the same space as the old one. I plan on it installing this weekend if time permits. I'm going to the show in Timonium this weekend so that will eat up some of my time. I have to rewire my whisker tracks as I've added to them and my LCS PBC2 is full so I'm adding a 2nd one. That will take time as well. I'll try and post some updates once I get some of the work completed.

If only I didn't have those articulateds, I would have bough an Atlas TT - of course, it would have been the old one back then, and I guess that they were fairly flawed.

Anyway, "moving deck" and all, I'd use it if possible. But, it's not.

(There were TT's here and there with decking that turned with the TT bridge, but it was the exception. Painting the entire deck and faux "bridge support track" flat black would help disguise it.)

Since the turntable is surface mounted, does any one know how it matches up (height wise) with various trackage, especially Fastrack, and if any shimming is required ?

Richie C. posted:

Since the turntable is surface mounted, does any one know how it matches up (height wise) with various trackage, especially Fastrack, and if any shimming is required ?

I use Fastrack on my layout and had to use shims to get it to meet up. I didn't measure the distance that I needed to shim. I was fortunate enough to work a stint at a data center where they were throwing away hundreds of these. I didn't count how many I got, It's in the hundreds if not the thousands. I use them as shims all over my layout including on the tracks up to the turntable.

You can always build up the area around the TT with foam and set the TT down inside a cut out circle.  Of course, some of the track(s) around the TT might be on an incline but it's not like you'd be pulling a train, just the engine.  I did this with my anti-fatigue matting, but it's only 3/8" thick:

I have Fastrack heading into roundhouse. Thin piece of Plastruct used as shim, maybe 1/16"

I have Gargraves  in the round house and slight shim there too.

The "weathered" turntable:

-Tom

Mine arrives tomorrow!

I orderd mine yesterday from Legacy Trains and the price was $269.99. I have the older atlas table but too many problems especilly with the drive system. Also does any one know how to connect the table with fast track? Thanks.

Choochoo Bob, I attached Fastrack to mine, you can see picture above. Just have to notch it and fits nice. Might need a very thin shim, depending on your layout base.

-Tom

I built my own

If you are looking to buy, you will not find a better price than at M.B. Klein. Add it to the cart and be amazed. You can empty the cart after looking.

Charlie

https://www.modeltrainstuff.co...9-o-scale-turntable/

Better price is at Charles Ro. Received mine yesterday.

Yes, but out-of-stock.

Just order mine from modeltrainstuff.com.  Good price.

I was close to installing the older model when I read this post; ordered the new one immediately.

Got mine $209 from Charles Ro preorder, and $9 shipping.

Just got mine yesterday from Modeltrainstuff, M.B.Klein.