Hello,
New to the forums. and in need of some help. I am getting several 4-8-8-4 UP big boys from a inheritance plus some 2-10-2’s and 4-6-6-4 challengers. now being really dumb with anyone speaking anything but inches and feet (LOL) can someone tell me. how large of a turntable I would need. well seeing the 4-8-8-4 is the largest/. what would the turntable size be??
Thanks in Advance
Without actually going onto sites to check their reputed dimensions, your biggest locos will need the 130’ turntable, and that would be about 18" in diameter…just off the top of my head. That’ll give you ballpark, but you should look for manufacturer’s info on their sites.
e gads 18" do they even make them anymore?? I have 2 - 15 1/2’ and 3 - 12 1/2’ Dang, well engine is a RIVAROSSI UNION PACIFIC 4-8-8-4 BIG BOY #4003 . hmm ok if I would need a 18’ turntable. does anyone know where i could get one? OR have a template plan of one?? ( the latter would be more fun for me )
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks still in advance
Scale 130 foot turntable from walthers(spelling) 18" is right.
JIM
thanks all for the help. almost had a panic atack with me geting those locos, and nothing to turn them with LOL
Thanks again
You could have resorted to the old fashioned fiddle yard.
Do a search on HO turntables. There was a thread about them back in Aug or Sept, and several nice ones showed up…although they cost $300.
this http://walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2829 is the walthers turntable , it is complete with motor and indexing and probably the best deal you’re going to find in a turntable this size . MSRP is $299 , it can be found on the 'net as low as $225 , but it’s a very large heavy box and shipping is going to be huge !
There is always the ubiquitous Wye or Balloon track.
And they BREAK in shipping, believe me!!
I was looking at wathlers 130 foot one, and though it ws ok, but was indd woried about the shipping of it. thats always my main concern in buying on the internet, and local hoby supplies will not go and get it. ( I think they are lazy to be honest) any other alternatives to that?
Plus now that I am getting all these engines I have to upgrade to a DCC unit there is no way in the world to even try to run 4 Big boys and 4 challangers plus anyting else off of several transformers LOL
PS: Aolmost forgot. definatly would ned a motor unit on the turntable, cause doing manuel turning is just not right for me. ( too lazy)
Also I have looked at Wathlers 130’ tables, and all the places I have went to so far do not have any in stock at all. and will not get any till june or november of next year.
I looked at other tables like SS Limited Turntable 110-130’ Item Number 650-1124 HO Scale Track and Electrical. but no mention of a motor for it, and dont know if it is possable to get one at all. then others as well never mention anyting about motors or pin stops. so im still definatly confused
Hmm lets see LOL 18" squared, x the ammount of space to turn a 4-8-8-4 so thats what 9 x 18" squared ykes so pretty much a section of a 3’ x 3’ board area. personally a turntable would be eaiser for them ROFLMAO
building a turntable yourself is a major undertaking . there are companies out there who make motorizing and indexing kits , and there are articles on the net about how to do it yourself . a look through MR will get you at least a couple of places selling kits . bowser is one of them , though i don’t remember if they make one as big as you need
Another way would be modding the Altas turntable with a longer bridge…
Just athought…
I use an reverise loop to turn my Y6B around.My 2cents worth
JIM
I remember seeing a prototype picture of a Union Pacific Challenger or Big Boy riding on a turntable that was too short for both the engine and tender (Centipede type). One of the middle wheels of the tender had been pulled up on wheel chocks so that the wheels behind it rose above the ground and cleared the rails.