Anybody got any feedback or reviews on these units? I’m tempted by a decent deal on the N scale version, but wanted to hear the good, bad and ugly before I decided to go ahead. I’ve read the documentation on Walther’s site, and there is an old thread (2005 - early 2006) on this forum that discussed it at a high level.
Mine won’t see heavy use, but it will need to work when it is told to!
I have no experience with that particular size and scale, but I can assure you that their HO 90’er, their second model of the built-up type, is a first rate product. I feel certain that they would use the same mechanism and electronics between scale versions, and have heard nothing but good things about the first in the series, their 130’er.
So, I hope you get some knowledgeable answers. I think, though, that you will be both pleased and well-served.
I have two of these for my layout (one for the engine service facility, and one for staging), and while they are not yet installed (I’m still laying flex track, and the turntables and their connecting track will be the last to be installed), I have test assembled the engine servicing facility trackwork and turntable on a separate sheet of plywood, and the turntable works great.
The July/August (#36) issue of N Scale Railroading has a photo essay on how to assemble the roundhouse and lay track from it to the turntable, which I found extremely useful.
Thanks Crandell and Wulfblat. I suspect I’ll be getting one of these since it is about the size I had planned, is less expensive than the alternatives and seems to be favorably reviewed from the research I have done.
I have one of these turntables on my layout and have been using it for almost a year. It was very easy to install - about all there is to it is cutting a circle in the plywood and hooking up a few wires.
It works great. You can set automatic stops or just stop it by eye (or both). My layout is DCC and the electronics that came installed in the turntable handle this without my having done anything but hook it up.
I am thinking about adding a 90 footer I am so pleased.
MAT
I appreciate the response, MAT. It may get ordered tonight!
Let’s just say the RTR 130’er is in final CFO approval stages =) working on the Coal Bunker and a few other loose ends before I jump off with this monster purchase. I just hope it’s long enough to deal with some of the monsters I have on the way.
To answer my own question, at least after about 20 minutes of playing around this TT seems pretty nice. I’m still in the planning stage of the next Bunter Ridge, but I already have a roundhouse and had planned in the turntable.
I dragged out a suitable power supply and set the thing up on my desk. In the 20 minutes I was playing around with it, I did not set any indexing points, so my test so far has been pretty basic. I may build the engine servicing module while I am tinkering with the plan, so this will get more of a workout.
Assembly is pretty easy. Once the hole is cut and the base mounted, the bridge drops in place. The motor is in the bridge. The control box connects to the TT through a normal computer network-type cable (supplied), and power connects to the control box.
For anyone in the market, I got mine on ebay from Trainhaus for $190. He was noticeably cheaper than any of my other haunts, and he still has at least one available. Shipping was a whopping $7.95.
Thanks for the ebay tip. But this is the one item I will order through one of my Hobby Shops in the near future.
The only challenge I face is the older Roundhouse. I have two for a total of 6 stalls and I think they will fit the 130’ we will certainly find out when the time comes.
I bought two of the N scale ones on ebay for under $200 each. I took the track and upper parts off and relaid the things with HO track and ties. They work great and are the best thing on the market. Reliable and very nice looking.
Roger