C-WW Howdy, I am going to be purchasing a turntable soon, a big-un' 134' to turn Big Boys. I'm leaning towards a Diamond Scale products turntable. Has anybody done one of these? My local shop has one but I don't think that it comes with everything. Would like to hear from somebody who has built one of these. 2slim [ March 28, 2006, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: watash ]
The kit is very nice when it's done, at least the bridge part. At our club, we use Diamond Scale bridges, then handlay track and create the pit ourselves from scratch. I'm not sure what the pit is like, but the bridge is pretty easy and comes out looking good with a little touch of weathering. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
Hi 2slim, welcome aboard! I have the Diamond Scale turntable and pit. It is under construction as you can see. The pit rail is mounted, table almost complete. I'm leaving the tower and handrails off til all 33 stall tracks ar installed and aligned. I used a router to cut the hole for the pit wall, so it is a slip fit. I can not speak too highly of this kit, it only took a few strokes of a needle file to touch up a little flash on the table dollies, the rest fell into place. I haven't decided on the rotating mechanism yet, because I have too many stalls for the mechanical ones I have found. There is a computer controlled one, but it costs way more than this whole kit. Besides, Mr. Wolfe has a whole cataloge of accessories to flesh out my engine facilities. It is the best one I found for the 134 footer for under $200.00 and well worth it! Reach him at: [ newolfe@compuserve.com ] and ask for a catalog, and you may tell him how happy I am with mine if you like. He also has "N" and "0" scale products. ------------------ Watash #982
I am in the process of installing two of the Diamond Scale turntables. One I had used on a previous layout. They are the smaller ones not the 134' size. The only part I dislike about them is the gearing. There is much to much play in it. As the loco runs on or off the table it tends to shift slightly. This can and does cause derailments. I don't know if there is a cure for this but I would like to find one.
Watash! Dude, you are my hero! Awesome roundhouse! Are you scratchin' that or is it a kit too? It almost looks like you're building it on a module, (a BIG module!). So what all comes in the basic kit? I saw that the motorizing kit is separate, but what else?.............My partner in crime, (aka brother) just saw the picture and is dancin' around, sayin' "that's the one", that's the one!!! (He don't get out much!)Hey, thanks for all the info. I'm going to get a catalog from them and then motor down to the hobby shop. As we get up to our necks in this I'll post some pix so you can get a grin!!! 2slim
I told you so,2slim, when you get his catalog, you will both be dancing around poping corks! Hid instruction book tells you how to adjust the back lash in the gears. I am using one of my dad's tricks for alignment, (unless I go ahead and buy the $400.00 keyboard rotator control). Dad's is simple, and gives positive match, BUT, sometimes I would forget to retract it, just like we did at the real turntable! HA! You have choices in his catalog for how you rotate the table, you'll see. I especially liked the little pit rail ties detail he has down in the pit. I just used my rail roller, and rolled the pit rail to fit, and it will actually carry the table weight; my center shaft is articulated. Oh, forgot, the roundhouse is scratch built. the roof is hinged so I can reach in and jiggle that one engine that will sit too long and not want to back out. When the doors are closed, you can't reach the engine, but it does keep the dust off the engines. ------------------ Watash #982 [This message has been edited by watash (edited 17 January 2001).]
Hey Watash! I think I found the turntable I'm going to get, check out this link.web page What do you think? 2slim
<font color="336633">I am thinking of getting a turntable soon, maybe not a huge one just long enough to turn a couple of F-units... as i dont think the crews on my locals will like driving an F backwards........ </font>
Watash, I think there is a reference to PTC (programmable turntable controller) mfgd by New York Railway Supply, which happens to be the most expensive too. Fortunatly, Brother works for a company that uses stepper motors and misc control devices, sounds like it's time to delegate!! 2slim
Stickymonk, Sounds like all you need is a Atlas or Walthers TT, then you can pick up that neat new Atlas roundhouse to park your F's in and you're set!! 2slim
2slim, I have looked the info over on the NYRS controller. At nearly $400.00 it is a bit steep to run a $135.00 pit. I am going to see if I still have one my father made, and if so, will use it. If not, I might get the NYRS one. I still have a lot of track to lay yet.
