Turntables

[FECfan]

I currently have a 90' turntable, and It seems quite a bit smaller than when I bought it, I'm looking into the Heljan 98' turntable, since it looks like it has an extra inch (than the 90'), and can be extended about a half inch to the lip of the pit.  Does anyone have experiance with it, pointers, reasons not to buy it other similar products that are in the same price range that are better?  Please note my current 90' turntable is the Walthers Cheap turntable, so that isn't an option.  Another thing I need to add is, all the Bachmann Northerns, the J-class, GS-4, Niagara, Santa Fe, what is the individual wheelbase for them?

[RAM]

Bachmann Northerns, Santa Fe 3776 class northern wheelbase is 108' 2" This is the longest of the northerns.  I could not find the book that has all of them in, but Santa Fe 3751 class 4-8-4s are 94' 10".  I would think that the GS-4 and Niagara would be about the same.  The Js may be a little shorter due to the smaller drivers. 

[FECfan]

I checked a website (http://www.sbrhs.org/Pages/484com.html) a GS-4 would fit, 101' 5" will have a wheelbase about 98' or less, the J-Class (109' 2") is questionable, It doesn't list the Niagara, and Not the 3776 class, but the 2900 class.

[jward]

my dad had a heljan turntable and never could get it to work right. i have heard others with similar problems.

there are other turntable manufacturers but they are pricey. diamond scale has a 110 foot turntable that any of those locomotives will fit on.

[Len]

I'm told by some of the local club guys that have them, the new Walthers 130ft turntable http://www.walthers.com/exec/productinfo/933-2829 is pretty nice, if a bit pricey.

I've also used the Atlas 9in turntable as an under-the-table indexed drive for larger home built turntables.

Len

[FECfan]

The Atlas Tuntable, using it for a home-built turntable (before the Cheapy Walthers Turntable I used one, I still have it) can you give me some instruction on that?

[SteamGene]

The current pre assembled Walther's 130' is to die for.  The ONLY thing it doesn't do is play "The Wreck of the Old 97" as she spins the locos!
Gene

[FECfan]

My initial Plan was to have the 130' turntable, but might I add that would be a good Idea, is I am an unemployed teenager, so my budget is in the $0-$80 range.

[RAM]

It is better to put it off for a year or so than to buy something you will not be happy with. A lot of small railroad never had any turntables.

[jward]

for the atlas turntable idea  checque this out:
http://www.njinternational.com/hoswitch.htm
i am assuming that you can make the turntable bridge any length you'd like as long as it clears the motor.

[Chris350]

for the atlas turntable idea  checque this out:
http://www.njinternational.com/hoswitch.htm
i am assuming that you can make the turntable bridge any length you'd like as long as it clears the motor.

Jeff that's the switch stand link.. where de turntable at? 

[pdlethbridge]

maybe this is it
http://pages.sbcglobal.net/sgratke/sgrr/trains/matt/index.htm

[jward]

my bad, should have checqued my link. here is the correct one.....
http://www.2guyzandsumtrains.com/Content/pid=11.html

[FECfan]

On Second Thought, I am going to go ahead and get the Heljan Turntable in a few months, but I need to know what improvements can be made for smooth operation, and where I can get the parts for the Improvements, Like the Metal Wheels, maybe Higher Quality Gears.

[jward]

there might be a way to mount the heljan turntable atop the atlas one, to get the benefit of the atlas's bulletproof mechanism. it would be wrth looking into.