Until earlier today, I was not aware that this turntable existed. I am very impressed with what I have seen and read about it. It appears from photos and YouTube videos to have a very similar construction and alignment feature much like the Kato n-scale turntable. The Fleischmann has a 183 mm bridge while Kato has a 159 mm bridge by my measuring. I would like to hear from someone who owns and uses one. Thanks in advance.
I am impressed with the function because it appears to have excellent alignment capability as the Kato turntable does. The appearance is "very German". The operators house on the bridge is larger than others I have seen on n-scale turntables; in fact, I have seen videos where led lights and figures were added.
Dr. Ron, thanks for the comment. Can you tell me more about it? Do you know how 9152 and 9152C differ? Thanks.
Mine was a mechanical horse. No problems whatsoever, other than the German look.......it is loud, though.
Sorry. I have no idea which version I had. But I do remember it was selling for like $225 25 years ago! The precision of the indexing was great. Easy to use. Well crafted. Don't remember much about the noise- though it might have been a bit loud. Just don't remember that.
Every one writes about this in the past tense. Why did you all sell yours, if you care to share? Jeff do you know the LHS in Elburn, IL?
Roger, When I tore down that layout, there was someone interested in that TT, so I sold it, planning on going to Atlas C55 for the new one, and the then new Walthers 120 ft turntable. Certainly not for any negative reason. In fact, I almost bought a newer version of it when I saw it at an LHS in MN. (The old one in the house.....) Funny thing is, I would have never needed it, so I am glad I didn't spend that close to $300. I just would have had a shinier model.........not a better one, and in fact, the dust covering made it look better. Never had the guts to saw off the German looking control house and replace it with some more American looking one, but that is about all it would take. Probably not a hard kitbash. Have never been to the LHS in Elburn. I do get back to Chicago every once in a while, but that one is pretty far out there from O'Hare or Midway!
Jeff, Sounds like the LHS in MN you visited might be Scale Model Supply on Lexington actually in St. Paul a couple of blocks north of I-94. Was one of my favorite hobby shops in the area, at least when we moved away in 2005. Thanks for the additional comments. I have see the Fleischmann turntable in a YouTube video; the owner installed LEDs and several figures. I guess my German ancestry helps me appreciate that aspect of the appearance of it.
I have continued to think about the Fleischmann 9152 turntable since I initially posted a few months ago. My "interest" increased when I searched the SCARM layout design software program and found it as an option for an n-scale track plan. I did some editing and placed it in an existing Kato Unitrack layout plan I had created; I replaced the Kato Unitrack turntable I had initially included in the plan. At least in the context of the software program, 9152 fits very well. The 7.5 degree spacing also makes it compatible with the Heljan roundhouse that I have used for many years. I understand that allowances would need to be made in a layout because of the difference between Unitrack height with roadbed and the Fleischmann turntable track height. Has anyone tried using Kato Unitrack and Fleischmann in an n-scale layout? I am not concerned about the German appearance of the Fleischmann turntable, if that were an issue I would not have selected the Kato turntable. Reliable function and precise indexing are my main priorities in selection a turntable for a future layout.
Adding a 1/8 " cork roadbed to the Fleischmann turntable track pieces will give you the required height for the Kato track. Just remove the Kato uni joiners and replace with Atlas Code 80 joiners. I've added 1/8 " cork roadbed under the lip of the turntable as well giving me the proper Kato height. I too used the SCARM design software and found it very valuable in providing the proper placement for my Kato track. I've used the Fleischmann turntable for over 2 years and am very happy with it. Fred
Fred, I used n-scale cord roadbed as the gasket under my Walther's indexed turntable to align it with the Kato Unitrack; that was thick enough to compensate for the difference in the height of the rail. I discovered another product at Hobby Lobby called Funky foam that comes in 12x18" sheets that also works well to adjust such. Thanks for the photos and encouraging feedback. I am using the NCE Power Cab for my dcc operation for locomotive control. I understand the rotation function of the turntable does not require a dcc link.
The turntable just requires 12 -15 volt AC It requires lubrication once in a while, but just lube with a pin drop otherwise it needs to be taken apart and the motor armature cleaned. (Guess how I know) Fred
Fred, thanks for the additional information.. I am eager to receive it and learn how it works. Thanks again for the two photos of your set up. This will work with the Heljan roundhouse. I have one as 6 stalls and one as 3 stalls; possibly another section I did not use. I am really eager to get a home layout built with this turntable.
Glad I was able to help. Hop you have as much fun with it as I am having. (without the over-oiling!!!) Fred
I plan to use this turntable with the Heljan roundhouse units that I built from kits several years ago. I understand the 7.5 degree setting of the turntable will align properly with the Heljan roundhouse. Thanks for thoughts on this aspect.
Hi. In the second picture, why is it required to have the short "stub-rails" on the side of the turntable without track? I see this on a lot of turntables, but wonder why? Thanks.
I suppose it's for safety reason in case an engineer overshoots the bridge. As far as the Fleischmann turntable it's just for optical purpose, it has no operational value. (Unless your "engineer" overshoots the bridge as well) Fred
