About a year ago MR had the plans for portable layout , I have been looking for a 60’ turntable like the one used on that layout . Does any one know where one could be found? Appreciate any info or ideas…Thanx Chad
Try looking on walthers they have turntables and they are pretty nice.
I’m not familiar with that particular article. The Atlas turntable is about a 60-foot. Most turntables are larger. The Atlas is a flat-deck turntable rather than a pit turntable, if that helps any. Some modellers have converted it to a pit.
Turntables are a pain in the rear-end, unless you spring for some serious cash. The Walther’s 90’er is a nightmare waiting to pounce on you, according to several of us on this forum, yours-truly included. The pre-fabbed ones, although expensive, tend to be good investments.
I use an old Atlas to run my 66’ turntable with a pit. It runs perfectly. I bought the Atlas used for $5 about 20 years ago. The rest of the TT was made from scrap except for the $15 CV 72’ plate girder bridge I bought to dress it up. I later discovered that CV has just the the side plates available for about $6. Anyway the Atlas is reliable and cheap. Bruce
I am happy that it works so well for you. I would wonder though, what the original owner had to go through to get it to the point where you can make the claim. That is, even though Walther’s has a good name, its 90’er leaves much to be desired. I don’t disput that your Atlas version works so well, but if the more expensive ones still need tweeking, what must be needed to get the cheaper ones to work as well as yours?
Maybe much, maybe little…?
Actually, that Atlas 9" turntable is a very reliably-operating unit. The only fault that I can find with it, and the reason I didn’t use one myself, is the Geneva-motion indexing on it - moves 15 degrees, stops, moves 15 more, etc. The latest ones have a shorter indexing – 10 degrees? – but still have the geneva motion.
I bought the Custom Model Railroads table, and love it! It goes together well, and everything fits, and works as it should. And doesn’t look half bad, considering the pit floor is flat, instead of sloping. And a bunch cheaper than the new Walthers 135’ prefab unit.
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I am happy that it works so well for you. I would wonder though, what the original owner had to go through to get it to the point where you can make the claim. That is, even though Walther’s has a good name, its 90’er leaves much to be desired. I don’t disput that your Atlas version works so well, but if the more expensive ones still need tweeking, what must be needed to get the cheaper ones to work as well as yours?
Maybe much, maybe little…?
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The original owner did noting except let it get dusty. The Atlas TTs have been around for many years and they are about the most reliable TT you can buy or build for any price. That said they are simplistic, with no pit, not very realistic and are only 9" in diameter. They are self indexing at 15 degrees but can be run very slow so its easy to line up the track visually so you can space your tracks realistically if you have a round house or storage tracks. Because of the reliability simplicity and durability of the Atlas unit many people have used them over the years to turn more realistic modified versions or scratch built TTs. Bruce.
[bow] Thanks to all who have replied. I have received a couple of ideas from you that I probably wouldn’t have thought of… All info was greatly appreciated… Chad
Check the internet for a company callen Diamond Scale. They make numerous turntables in kit form in many different lengths. You might just find what you are looking for.