Peco LK55 HO TT/ Further Concerns

[MarkInLA]

Hi.
Here are a few things that dawned on me about this TT:
Unlike the Walthers TT, this one has no operator's booth on it, begging the questions: If it were real, where is it being operated from ?
Or, do we assume it depicts the kind turned by a crew manually shoving big handles at both ends (that are in the HOn3 kit)?
And, are its 4 rather large wheels completely unrealistic or, at least, unrealistic for a US prototype TT ?
Finally, is it in fact true that the Peco is made better/revolves better than the Walthers TT, plus has a better split-ring design than the W ?

[Tad_T]

I have the N scale version of this turntable because to me it seemed a reasonable representation of the A&LM’s turntable in Monroe, Louisiana, which was an “Armstrong” turntable.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=1866893

A picture of it being “operated” in 1959 can be seen on page 41 of Marty McGuirk’s The Model Railroader's Guide to Locomotive Servicing Terminals here:

https://books.google.com/books?id=CxAXPWlW_6UC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

[MarkInLA]

Tad,
Though I appreciate your help, I can not find pg 41 in McGuirk's you cite... I click the link but no pg 41... ! It goes from pg 38 to 42..skipping 39, 40, and 41 ..And the pic of the A&LM TT is not enough to see the side view of the bridge (if it resembles the Peco or not).
Again, I'm trying to decipher whether or not the LK55 is like any US table..(Though, of course I know no RR police are going to come and arrest me if it doesn't and I install it !)...
I've never had a TT in my 3 layouts I've had in my life except for the awful looking Atlas one when I was a kid in 1956... In fact I still have it ! It's got green mold on the brass parts of it ! And, yes, I could use it as a basis for a scratch built TT above it.. But I doubt I'll ever attempt that project...
But, thank you, M 

[Tad_T]

Tad,
Though I appreciate your help, I can not find pg 41 in McGuirk's you cite... I click the link but no pg 41... ! It goes from pg 38 to 42..skipping 39, 40, and 41 ..And the pic of the A&LM TT is not enough to see the side view of the bridge (if it resembles the Peco or not).
Again, I'm trying to decipher whether or not the LK55 is like any US table..(Though, of course I know no RR police are going to come and arrest me if it doesn't and I install it !)...
I've never had a TT in my 3 layouts I've had in my life except for the awful looking Atlas one when I was a kid in 1956... In fact I still have it ! It's got green mold on the brass parts of it ! And, yes, I could use it as a basis for a scratch built TT above it.. But I doubt I'll ever attempt that project...
But, thank you, M

That’s weird. I didn’t realize that the preview showed different pages to different people. Page 41 shows for me.

I actually have the book.

This is the photo.



This is a side view of the bridge after they pulled it out of the pit.

You can see laying on the ground in front of the roundhouse.

https://ronscloset.files.wordpress.com/2013/11/trains-alm-roundhouse-monroe-la-1992-10-rlf-bb.jpg

There is another view here that is little help on the bridge but does show the pit even though it’s got water in it.

http://www.rrpicturearchives.net/showPicture.aspx?id=4172976

Hopefully, that helps you a little.

[MarkInLA]

Yes, I see them.
I now have to get off my duff and build my small L shelfie, already..Thinking if I buy a good TT it'll inspire me to get it going..
I also saw a structure on Ebay that would help the cause as well.. But I have to shut up already, stop procrastinating, and do it !!
Thanks again for the help, M

[BOK]

Yes Mark, the big wheels in the Peco kit are for a British prototype but if you leave them off the turntable resembles an American prototype and a suitable model for a 90' turntable.

Don't be concerned about there not being a control shanty on one side those are for electric powered turntables which this is not and often were powered by air pressure off the locomotive's air hose. Turntables often are often easy to turn by hand ... if the engine is positioned correctly to balance on it. Without any thing on some turntables I have been able to move them in position by pushing them by hand by myself. It's all in the way they are balanced.

I recall turning an excursion steam engine one time in Wisconsin using an air device which used air pressure to move a piston forward to notches in the pit rail to move the table, slowly bit by bit. The device hadn't been used for quite some time and performing this manuver in a rain storm was not a fun activity...but I got her turned. 

Don't sweat the small stuff the Peco is a good alternative to a more expensive model often with more challeges.

Barry

[MarkInLA]

Barry, thanks.
By leaving the wheels off, does that not cause the bridge to bounce up and down at its ends ? How can it rotate smoothly and remain level without them ? Or, have they always been merely cosmetic ? Don't they need to revolve and follow the rail in the pit ?

[BOK]

Mark I believe they are only castings and don't move.

Without them my turntable revolves smoothly even though it's just strene strips (which can't be seen) sliding on the pit rails.

Barry

[MarkInLA]

Not so, my friend..
Go to YouTube "Peco LK55 Turntable Automated with Arduino and Stepper motor".. OR, "Peco LK55 with Sound" and you can clearly see the wheels turning, following the pit rail.. Glad you got away with it without them, but I can't see how without bridge teeter tottering..
~ Anyway there is a US prototype pic/vid (forgetting where) I saw which looks very close to this Brit type (wheels smaller is all) which has sold me on employing it if and when I get off my arse and build my small shelfie.
Thanks again, M