Does anyone have any experience with these turntables?
Thank you in advance.
BobH
First of all, how long is the turntable you wanted to get? Second of all, what scale is it? There is a nice discussion over a Model Masterpiece turntable in HOn3 here.
Really shouldn’t make any difference in the TT length. Specifically I’m looking at 65’ and thats my post there as well.
I’m looking for someone who has experience with that Mfg’s TT’s.
Thank you.
Can’t help with MM. I do, however, have a Diamond Scale 65’ TT in HOn3. Thought I’d mention it as an alternative. I suspect the MM is not dissimilar, IIRC. Pretty simple, but pay close attention to the details of construction listed in the instructions. What’s key is accurate assembly of the bridge on the pivot and in the pit (presuming its planned installation is in a pit.)
Hi Bob, I have quite a bit of experience with building this particular TT. I powered rotation with a Diamond Scale motor drive.
What would you like to know? My guess would be how best to supply power to the TT tracks. [8D]
Mike, thanks for the reply. Many years ago I had a Diamond Scale TT, 120’. Back then they had a composite pit. Now I think they have a cast pit. At least thats what I read on their web site.
I didn’t find it difficult to build or get the indexing to work.
DS NG fan,
My questions are. Do they build into a decent turntable? How satisfied are you with it? Diamond Scale makes a 65’ turntable too. Their bridge isn’t patterned after the Durango turntable but it looks fine. I had a DS TT. many years ago and liked it. I guess I’m trying to decide between the two Mfgs.
Thank you again.
BobH
Bob,
A correction. My DS TT is the 75’ version, which is AFAIK is in all other respects the same as the 65’. Talking about Durango jogged my memory on that one. I actually model Durango myself, but decided on a 75’ TT because I didn’t want to have to fiddle with fitting the longer locos on the prototype length one – they were pretty tight.
I used a New York Railway Supply drive for my TT. Kind of pricey, but worth every cent. The 12 track control version was pretty much what I needed, but I probably would’ve gone for the control that does more than 12 tracks if I did it over. !2 tracks is pretty much prototype IIRC, so no real need to go there, other than wanting more…[*-)]
The DS builds pretty much what you need for Durango. You’ve actually got a number of options with the supplied material, so the spndly handrail angling out on either side is no problem. I actually haven’t gotten so far as those details on mine yet, but it is in service – just don’t let the FRA folks know the handrails are missing…wait, they were never FRA-legal anyway[:D]
Mike, thank you for all the good information[:)] I read about the NY controller and plan on looking into it farther. The DS stuff worked for me in the past but the installation was kind of clunky. I’m thinking it hasn’t changed much over the years.
I’m sorta modeling Durango and sorta not[:D] More of the sorta not variety actually. I have the D&RGW Locos, a couple of K-27’s and a C-19. Like most of us I wish I had more room! So far I don’t even have a suitable track plan let alone puting track down.[:(]
In the mean time I am building my car roster up by building some kits. So thats a good thing!..I’d love to see some pictures of your TT area if you have any.
Take care,
BobH.
I have one of the Model Masterpieces 65’ Durango turntables for my HOn3 layout. My kit dates from the 80s, and I have no idea if anything has been updated since. The styrene bridge components, wood parts, and some of the metal detail castings are of good quality. The soft metal wheels on which the bridge is intended to roll are useless and out-of-round (I replaced them with modified freight car wheels). The four semi-circular plaster castings for the pit are irregular in shape and do not form a true circle, so it may be best to discard them and build a new pit. With a LOT of messing around you may be able to get a workable pit as I evetually did, but I ended up using a good deal of extra plaster and working it carefully to re-form the pit walls. It still isn’t truly round but visitors don’t seem to notice. If you decide to punish yourself and use the MM pit, you’ll need to come up with your own jig or other means of installing a circular pit rail since the alignment marks on the casatings don’t line up at all with where they should be. There isn’t a good power pickup design so you’re mostly on your own with that.
The Diamond Scale pits are of high quality, and the ones I’ve seen are cast in one piece and pre-aligned on a base so there’s no fiddling to make them work. The rest of the Diamond Scale parts are also nice, so if you wish to avoid frustration I’d strongly recommend their turntables over the MM kit.
Rob, you are a prince! That’s the kind of reply I’ve been hoping to get. Very good information for sure.
Thank you so much. Unless I can get one of the MM TT’s for a super price I think I’ll pass.
Take care,
BobH.
Bob,
I’ll give posting some pics of the engine terminal and surrounding area of my version of Durango.
Mike that looks really good! Did you make your own turntable or is that store bought?
My version of Durango will be out of necessity smaller 
Bob,
It’s a Diamond Scale 75’ TT. I’ve not detailed it yet.
Mike thank you.
That’s what I’ll probably end up with, the Diamond Scale either 65 or 75’ TT. They are pretty nice as you know 
I got a chance to finish detailing my turntable bridge, so here’s an update. It represents Durango, but is a 75’ bridge for ease of spotting model locos and perhaps some larger power. I think I got the look about right. I still need to install the push poles, but everything else but a little weathering and some weeds in the pit is done.
I made the handrails from 1/32" brass stock, drilled with a #74 with a brass rod through it. The stanchions were epoxied to the cross rails underneath, with the rail ACC-ed in place. The decking is that supplied with the Diamond Scale kit. The plating between the rails is styrene.
Nice to see the update. I’m glad things worked out.
Nice job on the small details.
FYI I got a Diamond scale TT off of Ebay. It’s a 60 footer with a rock? wall. I would have prefered a 65 footer but its the old “bird in the hand” thing.
I also got a K-36 recently soooooo… we shall see how it all plays out.
Thanks guys.
Bob,
Check the bridge length closely in comparison to your K-36. It’s the wheelbase that counts, not overall length. I know that the big Ks barely fit on the 65’ TT, so you may have an issue with them on a 60’ TT. It’s going to be tight.