Turntable dilemma

[jdcolombo]

Lots of folks have said they are happy with the Walthers turntable - here's a question about it : is it fixed at 10-degree track increments, or can you put tracks at other spacings?

Hi George.

I don't know if this answers your question or not, but you can put tracks right together, or space them out along the outer ring as you like.  However, each track will come off the ring at a particular angle (determined by the circumference of the pit).  You can't change the "angle" of the tracks, but you can certainly vary the track spacing off the pit however you like.  The indexing of the table is infinitely variable.

Here's another shot of my engine terminal area.  You can see from this photo that while the tracks leading to the roundhouse are evenly spaced, there is a large gap to the right of the roundhouse before you get to the four "exit" tracks that lead to the coaling tower.   Similarly, there is a large gap to the left of the roundhouse for the "entry" track coming from the left of the 'table (the table is actually aligned with that entry track in this photo).  These tracks were located where I needed them - the locations on the ring are not fixed (as they were with the old Arnold turntable). 

John C.

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[peteski]

Lots of folks have said they are happy with the Walthers turntable - here's a question about it : is it fixed at 10-degree track increments, or can you put tracks at other spacings?

No fixed increments - it is fully configurable. Once it is installed in the layout and the tracks are laid you "teach" it the location of each track and it remembers them.  IMO, this is one of the best N scale models Walthers has even come out with.

[mecgp7]

There's a bunch on e-bay right now.

I must be missing something. I don't find any.

[Chris333]

I must be missing something. I don't find any.

I tried again and got all the results, but missed the fine print "0 results found in the N Scale category, so we searched in all categories" 

[Point353]

+1 for Walthers newer turntable, You can find them for low-mid $200s brand new online if you know how to search properly.

Care to share an example of where?

[jdcolombo]

I tried again and got all the results, but missed the fine print "0 results found in the N Scale category, so we searched in all categories" 

Micro Mart lists them, but I don't know if they actually have any because they don't list stock on their site; you'd have to call:
http://www.micromark.com/N-Motorized-130-Turntable

They may be worth a call, because they are not as much on the radar screen as an N-scale e-tailer.  It's possible they have one sitting around.  All the other usual sources I've checked list them as out of stock.

Another place you might call is Coryville Station.  They are a big train show retailer, but don't really sell via the web.  I can't remember if they had an N turntable in stock when they were here at the Urbana IL show in April.  I remember seeing the Walthers turntable, but can't remember if it was an HO or N version.  Becky Shuemaker is the person to call (she knows their stock better than John): 217-259-2787.

John C.

[Point353]

Micro Mart lists them, but I don't know if they actually have any because they don't list stock on their site; you'd have to call:
http://www.micromark.com/N-Motorized-130-Turntable

They may be worth a call, because they are not as much on the radar screen as an N-scale e-tailer.  It's possible they have one sitting around.  All the other usual sources I've checked list them as out of stock.

If you click on the "add to cart"  button, a message is displayed to the effect that "this item is backordered from our supplier."
You are then given the option of being notified by email when the item is back in stock.

[nickelplate759]

Thanks again for all the advice.  I'm thinking that the Walthers turntable is the way for me to go.   Given that Walthers has announced another run, I'm confident I can get one some time soon.

On a related note, I received helpful PMs from multiple folks who offered me turntables that they no longer have use for.   I haven't decided whether or not to take one of them up on their offer, but I am truly touched by their thoughtfulness.

[mighalpern]

Don't forget that there are two dead spots around the pit where you cant put live tracks and the home position is fixed by the optical sensor position in the pit,  So they recommend making the home position the main entry track, which is no big deal.  In my case the entry track was about 60 degrees from the first stall and so I have one stall that ended up in the dead zone.   otherwise very nice table.   I waited just under 3 years  to get mine.         

[jdcolombo]

HI George.

I'm glad Walthers is re-running the turntable, and I really think you have made a good decision to get one when they are restocked.  You never know with them about N scale stuff.  But this has obviously been a success story for them sales wise, and it is a success from the end-user standpoint.  It really works well, looks great, and the 130' length means that it will JUST BARELY accommodate a Big Boy.  The center arch and shack are separate detail pieces, so if you don't like them, you can replace them with your own - I made my arch from 1/8" brass H structural shape, which mimics the very simple arch the NKP used at Bellevue. 

Mine has been operating for seven years, although the bridge recently developed the "cracked gear" issue and I'll need to do some work on it.  We have one that is equally old on our Ntrak layout (no cracked gears on that one), and it is a major attraction at shows when we turn steamers on it.  Even the 60-year-old "kids" eyes light up at seeing it in action.  All in all, it is easily worth the $250 or so street price that they go for when they are in stock.

John C.

 

[jmlaboda]

Even the 60-year-old "kids" eyes light up at seeing it in action.

Of course we do... weren't many steamers being spun on a turntable by the time we got old enough to realize what it was instead of just watching a caboose go by.