Hi! This is my new project. The Model Masterpieces D&RG 60' Gallows turntable in HOn3. I will, also build the Como Roundhouse to complete the scene. The drive for the turntable will be a step motor with full indexing. It is a system developed by a friend of mine and very fool proof! [] I bought this kit second hand, and it misses the spider gear housing... I will try to make a new by 3D printing it. This is a good plan showing how I will do the drive: (courtesy of Carrie Creek) I started the build by staining and adding grain to the wood. The stain is Isopropyl alcohol and wiper fluid mixed with vallejo burnt umber and black. After it dries, I will lightly sand them to remove the fuzz. More to come soon!
Wiper fluid, as used for vehicle windshield wipers? What is the largest sized locomotive which would fit on 60 feet?
Yes, Windshield Wiper fluid. The largest size is the largest on the D&RGW. A Mikado K-36 will fit with a bit of coupler overhang.
I've come a little further on the way. The Nut Bolt Washer castings are mostly in place : I just had to see how my biggest locomotive fits : Now its time to spike some rails in place.
Thanks! Just one more update before bedtime (this is after all Europe, a tad different time zone...) Filed grooves for the cables. Soldered the wires to the Code 70 Micro Engineering rails. The rails spiked and glued! I use Railway engineering rollee holders.
That really looks good, Graff. Is this your own design, or is it something that you have the plans for?
Your turntable is coming along amazingly! You have inspired me to get my engine facility started on my layout I am going to be using the Durango 65' turntable from kitwood hill models. Keep up the great work!
Thanks! The base is started! 8 mm plywood base. I've glued the piedestal on the top and a piece of pine underneath. I drilled the holes for the bearings with my pillar drill to get the hole in plumb. The axle will be replaced with a stainless tube. The brackets that holds the tie rods are in place. Had to see how it looks.... The pit wall is to be built using ties. And the pit rail has to be laid. I use code 40 in the pit..
Late last night I checked the Turntable and saw that the axle wasn't lining up!?! That despite using a drill press... probably the bushings tilted a bit when gluing them in at first? I made a jig, removed the bushings and lined everything up. Now it is correct! I've also built the turntable pit wall. I used cork up to the pit ring level. Then I glued stained ties up to the top. The ties fit perfectly, I didn't have to trim any of them to fit!
A small update: The cork wasn't totally flat for the pit rail, so I mounted a template/scraper on my centre jig. I then spackled the surface and rotated the template to get a flat surface. It worked great! I made some ties for the pit rail: I glued them using my jig to get them to point towards the centre. As you can see in the picture above, I made another template on the jig. This one were to make the slope in the pit. I mixed some very soupy plaster which I poured in the pit at the same time as I rotated the template. After a minute or two, it began to set. I then removed the template (which had a roll of excess plaster on one side). This is how it looked; I added some thin paint to prepare for the gravel and sand: The piedestal was painted as well.
