Sure, why not? Run your turntable. And BTW, there are still MANY turntables in use even today, so you can run them with steam or diesel.
OK on my 4X8.
Peter Smith, Memphis
Personally speaking I think a TT is a great idea on a layout , I have 2 reverse loops on my layout making turning engines around possible without touching them, but I couldn’t hold back any longer and took the inside of a big loop and turned it into service area , 3 stall RH and 90’ TT , no regrets. I have steam and diesel all worth alot of money ( in my eyes ). I prefer not to touch them with my fingers , it removes the built up natural dirt look( haven’t gone into weathering yet ).I’ve seen many pics where there is a TT and thats it , no engine house , at least not in the TT area , the area was off to the side kinda overgrown but still used.
Do yourself a favour if you like the look and feel of a TT and all that goes with it, just go for it and may the force be with you.[:D]
BB:
Well, do you want to turn engines?
At a train show a couple years ago, I spent $5 on an Atlas TT. It was too cheap to pass up, so ever since I started my latest RR I have been trying to make an excuse not to use it. Even that little TT takes up a lot of space, since it needs to be attached to track and look reasonably at home in its surroundings. Unfortunately, I have realized that it can help my little loop railroad simulate a point-to-point run better, so I might be doomed to use it after all.
I’ve come to the realization we’re all doomed to the hobby.[:D]
I’ve put a Turn Table on my layout and it is 32 square feet. I started with a 4 x 8 sheet but cut off 7" from the length of it and added that to the end which results in a table 41" wide by 110" long - that way I can actually reach the middle - and the run is just a little longer than 9 feet which gives it that “longer look”.
Anyway you can see my track plan here:
http://www1.webng.com/fortkentdad/layout_planning.htm
and you can see a couple more pictures of the Turn table here:
http://fortkentdad.fotopic.net/c1218642.html
I started with a Walther’s Turn table, and then switched to a vintage Arnold Rapido Turn Table which I picked up cheap at a Train Show. It came with Roundhouse and full index control system, could not pass it up. I had been finding it hard to make the Walther’s non-indexed turn table bridge track align with the other tracks. It also had a tendancy to get stuck. I have yet to power up the Arnold Rapido - need to install the controls and wiring yet, so I can’t say how it will work.
Some years ago, John Armstrong had an article on 4 x 8 layouts for all purposes. One of them had a largeish turntable, AND a transfer table. It was a major engine terminal and backshop…
in O scale!
The equivalent in HO would be about 27 by 54 inches. N scale would fit in a large suitcase.
If you want a turntable, by all means include it. Nothing makes a better display point for a steam locomotive.
Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964 - with turntables)