Turntables?

Forum member CSX AL owner of Millhouse River studios all metal operate great.
Here's the link

http://www.studiozphoto.com/models.html


David

Hi John I'll second that CSXAL'S TURNTABLE is awesome

well built smooth running and very easy install

Check out my post. here's the link.  

 https://ogrforum.com/d...ent/5230909883520354

THANKS,ALEX

Go with Ross!

If I hadn't already built my own, I would purchase one from Al (Millhouse River Studios).  I like the fact that Al's units are made from welded aluminum.

Doctor, I thought you were building a simple layout. Sir, how far have you progressed? Adding a turntable may not be a good idea for you. Doctor, why don't you wait awhile before you tackle something like adding a turntable. I suggest for the time being you stay with the basics. Just track and a couple switches.

I use Atlas model 6910's myself, however I have on this forum seen a large number of REALLY GREAT turntables compared to my basic Atlas one. I was not sure if my thoughts have any value in the land of "Turntable Giants"

Maybe one day I will be lucky to build or own a proper table. But not until all the track work is settled along with Electrical and other issues resolved prior to scenery.

Good luck in your endeavors.

It is your layout, you should build whatever your heart desires (and your budget can afford).  I am 3 years into the hobby and in the process of building my first layout.  My loft is 11' x 30'.  I am lucky to have this space.

For me, I had to have an engine facility.  I feel the roundhouse is the iconic railroad structure from the steam era and I had to have one on my layout.  My roundhouse is the focal point of my layout around which everything revolves.  As you can see from my posts on this thread the roundhouse does require a significant amount of space (granted a 7 stall house may be overkill!).  I went with Dennis Brennan's roundhouse kit and CSX Al's turntable.  BTW, installing Al's TT was not complicated at all.  Build your table per Al's measurements, drop the TT into place, bolt, and plug in....it is really that easy.  If you want a TT...go for it.

I too would agree with Jim to give it some time for planning and also to identify any layout design issues that you may come across in other parts of the layout.  You can continue to build/operate the layout with the turntable in mind for future expansion.

IMHO a roundhouse and turntable (CSXAl's looks very good) are great features for a layout, but as others may or may not have mentioned, a turntable requires a lot of space ...especially if it is to look and more importantly work well.  If your Mianne benchwork setup is not big enough, the end result will be a turntable with a small point to point layout that will possibly disappoint you.

To paraphrase Carl Sandburg's famous quote, it's your time and money ...spend it as you would like.

Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.

Hey Mr. Sutter, where are you these days?  Why no shop anymore?

Dr. John, just a note about Mianne benchwork, it works perfectly with our turntables. This is why I also have their link on my website and will be putting a photo of one of our TT in their benchwork on the website as well. We have a size that will work with your layout 24" 28" or 34" . Have a great day.

"To paraphrase Carl Sandburg's famous quote, it's your time and money ...spend it as you would like."

Sandberg? I thought that was J.G. Wentworth!

I think both the Ross and MR turntables are very well made. I have the Millhouse River and I am very happy with it. Installation was not difficult at all.

IMHO, it's your railroad and you should do whatever you feel will give the most enjoyment of it. That's what a hobby is for. If it turns out you don't need the TT, I'm sure you could sell and get most of your money back. Good luck.

Here's my take on turntables,
I've been in model railroading for 40 years. I had an N scale layout most of that time.
The Atlas TT in N scale was horrible at best. It wasn't until Walthers came out with theirs that there was a decent one.
Now the ones from Ross and Millhouse River are nice and their cost is about the same as one high end engine. Al's is all metal so it won't warp but there's a skill level to installing it yourself. If you don't have the skill level needed to install it right it'll be one expensive dust collector
If your just getting started and from the other post's I gather you are , hone your skills on building what you have. Get some trains up and running have fun with them.
After you get that learning curve out of the way and you know what your doing.
THEN design your engine facility and make your turntable purchase.
The key to having a reliable layout is learning step by step . It also means that you'll have fun with no major problems.
You didn't just walk in one day and start pulling teeth?(Me I'd have to haul off and hit em and knock them out like Don Knots did) You learned step by step. This is no different .

Get some trains up and running it''ll give you that sense of accomplishment and incentive to learn more about this craft. Then order a nice turntable.

David

John,

I agree with Jim Sutter and David. In previous posts on the forum over the last few years, you have expressed quite a bit of frustration with various aspects of getting your trains running.

I would keep it simple at first and just concentrate on a basic layout. As you gain experience and success, you can tackle some of the more challenging aspects of layout building such as a turntable.

The better ones, such as Millhouse Studios and Ross, just drop in place these days, but you still would need to do some precise tracklaying and wiring around the engine terminal.  

Jim

Good Evening Doctor,

Just read your post as to what My wife and I are doing. Doctor, please be advised after thirty years in the train business Peggy and I retired at the end of 2010. We are still living in Homer City.  

How about a transfer table instead of a turntable.  Transfer tables take up less space than turntables and this is especially important on smaller layouts.

Here is my scratch built Transfer Table. It is quite easy to build and I used an inexpensive electric screwdriver coupled to a threaded rod to power the table. The October 2009 issue of Classic Toy Trains Magazine has detailed instructions on how I built it. A back issue is available here:

http://ctt.trains.com/sitecore.../October%202009.aspx

John, Visit our non-commercial website, www.bpsouthwestern.com, then click B&P O Gauge Turntable on the right side of the screen.  We explain how we scratch-built our 30" turntable in detail.  Our website allows you to e-mail us any questions you might have.  Good luck, Bob C

John, Oops, the link should have been www.bpsouthwestern.com