Does anyone have any pros / cons, tips or tricks for installing the walthers 90ft turntable into the 2" foam base over open box consruction?
Thanks, Stratfan12
Nothing wrong with that option at all. I did it for my first layout and had no problems. The only consideration is to allow access to any mechanism below the pit. So, you’ll want a substantial hole, say 6-8" in diameter. The pit, itself, must sit in a custom-cut hole, but the lip of the pit is sufficient to hold it all up and in place, including with an engine on it. In my case it was only 1" foam, although that layer was atop 5/8" ply. Other than that, I merely set mine in place, careful to have it sit flat and flush with the foam all around the circumference, and I didn’t even need to use any tacky substance. Placed, wired up, and played.
-Crandell
I do not know know if this will help. I cut a piece of plywood as an underbody the size of the engine facility. I then used homosote on top of the plywood cut to the same dimension as the plywood. I then clued the homosote to the plywood and attached the unit to the benchwork so that If I ever wanted to move the engine facility all I would have to do was unscrew the unit. The homosote holds the track better than foam. I would imagine that you would in some way have to build this up to be level to the top of your layout. Be sure to saw out the hole for the turntable before attaching everything to the benchwork. I attached the turntable to the unit before screwing it all to the benchwork. ALSO be careful not to screw into the turntable and somehow mark where the screws are located
That’s the way I have mine installed and its worked fine for several years - I did level the pit when I put it in by shimming around the edges.