Howdy. I'm currently working on building my N scale layout (8'x17 open center). I'm modeling BNSF....so all modern stuff. My problem right now is that I don't have anywhere to turn locos around if I need to. I don't really have room for a wye. I considered putting a roundhouse and turntable off of the yard...but I don't really know if modern railroads use round houses and turn tables any more. Any recommendations?
There were still roundhouses and turntables in use recently. I don't know if BNSF still have any in use, other than for their remaining steamers. But I would add one to a modern layout if you could use it. They sure look nice on a layout! Here's Amtraks LA roundhouse, gone now but a 1997 areial: Here's Montana Rail Link's Livingston Turntable:
Thanks. Anyone else know if BNSF has any turntables in use today?? My modeler's license will only allow me to go so far...
I think there are plenty of turntables left. Most, like the one in Newton are soley for turning a few engines. The roundhouses are gone, but you can still usually see the concrete foundations where they once stood. Sometimes, the roundhouses are simply reduced, and modernized (often with roll up doors, that is how I modeled mine) or new Pikestuff type 2 stall diesel houses. If the roundhouse exists, it may be leased to another company, like BMI, or used for storage or maintenance equipment, etc. There would be a maximum of two stalls for actual diesels in most cases. So, if you added a turntable, w/o roundhouse, or greatly reduced roundhouse, you would be very prototypical.
Hoss, BNSF also has a turntable in the ex-ATSF yard in Amarillo, TX. Here's a mapquest photo from overhead... http://makeashorterlink.com/?A37F234D3 and a side shot from around mergertime... http://donross.railspot.com/dr0101/tlf23.jpg and it's still in use as far as I know. Hope this helps. [ 17. March 2003, 02:45: Message edited by: Doug A. ]
Thanks for all of the info guys. I think I'll go with a 3 stall enginehouse from Pikestuff (or something similar) and have a turntable "out back" behind the engine house that will turn the engines or direct them to a different track.
great question. I also have been trying to find one. This is the one I am very close to purchasing, and would love to hear from someone that has bought one... It is made by New York Railway Supply, Inc New York Railway Supply, INC.
Barry, do you understand that the NYRS is only the indexeing motor, and not the whole pit and turntable too? I have one of these NYRS motors and bought a Diamond Scale pit and truntable kit to go with it. The pit is finished, the turntable is done except I have left the handrails off for now, because I am making the precision mounting towers for the motor under the pit. Mine id HO and has 33 stall tracks, so I needed 66 positions. New York's key pad was the only system that could address as many stalls and service tracks as I have, whithout having to build something myself. This is quicker, and more accurate. The motor will stop each rail aligned to within .004" dead on accuracy on my 134 foot table. That is better than most shot-pin types, and as close as a Geneva mechanism gets. Here is a photo of a Southern Pacific 4-6-2 sitting where the pit will mount. You can see the roundhouse behind it. The roundhouse is seven feet in diameter because of the Mallets and articulateds I want to house in it to keep the dust off them.
yes, I did realize it was only part of the system. Ah, I'm kind of speechless after seeing your roundhouse. Awesome.
