Proposed Board Plan

[Mike Griff]

Hi Graeme,
Thanks very much for that. You've saved me a lot of time and work.
As you say, its patently unworkable, DOH! Good try though.
I'll have a look around and see what I might do about it, hang on, if.........noooo, ah well, thanks a mill.
                                                   Mike

[Graeme Dunbar]

Hi Mike,

I'm away on business in Bergen (well drying out in the hotel after getting exceedingly damp at this moment), but I doodled something at the airport that might work. I'll see if I can upload it.

Edit: I've uploaded it to Picasa, now let's see if I can link it:


The two longest sidings are supposed to line up across the turntable to the "loop" and the corresponding point. A train can be pushed across the turntable into the siding and left there by the loco. If the engine is on the "wrong end" of the train, then the wagons or coaches can be left in the straight bit of the "loop", the engine uncoupled, run round the "loop" (with the turntable rotating appropriately) and coupled up again. The train can draw out and backed into the siding.

If the turntable is big enough to hold an engine and a wagon then other short sidings for an engine shed, coaling stage, ash and what ever other things that only require one or two wagons being moved.

I don't suppose anything like it exists in reality, but given the restrictions of two points and a turntable, there could be an interesting bit of shunting involved.

[Mike Griff]

Hi Graeme,
I did a bit of living out of a suitcase myself in a former life, I hope you get a decent rest and an on time return.
The Layout idea looks very good, I kinda started doodlin but got bogged down, wasn't really focused. Thanks I''ll "offer it up" and trim the edges as the dress maker said to the fat lady.
                                                   Cheers.

[Cambridge Paul]

The "national dress" of Bergen includes wellinton boots & an umbrella!!
Paul

[Mike Griff]

Is it twinned with Ireland?

[trebor]

Hi Mike,

Being one of the latest recruits to the fold so to speak may be too late with my observation.
As been noted aligning a turntable is notoriously difficult,  maybe using something called a " Lazy Susan" may be an easier alternative.

The link below explains the principle.

  http://www.axminster.co.uk/triangle-lazy-susan-bearing-prod20991/

Regards

John

[Mike Griff]

Hi John, what a great idea. At first I was wondering what it was,I didn,t consider food implements. Thanks, Mike

[Graeme Dunbar]

Squiires sells Lazy Susan type roller bearings. In fact I have one (to put under my pizza layout), but did not think of turntable applications.

The rotation is very smooth and level. In that respect it should be easier to maintain vertical alignment of the track ends than trying to drill a hole that is exactly at right angles to the baseboard surface for a central shaft. Contrariwise, finding the exact centre of the Lazy Susan will need careful marking out to ensure that the turntable hole and deck are concentric.

[tedp]

If you solved the vertical alignment problem with a turntable, you might consider how to line up the bridge against the approach tracks. I have a very old turntable made of a record player which of course is quite a different principle.

However the locking mechanism I use might be replicated using an old CD or DVD fitted below the baseboard on the drive shaft. Cut notches into the edge of the disc that correspond with the approach tracks, then run a spring-loaded roller on the edge. Connect the roller with a switch that cuts the power to the table motor, and you have positive mechanical locking combined with an electrical cut-out.

It might be best to align the approach tracks after you installed the locking mechanism.

[Mike Griff]

Any body for Barbara Dickson?...........Don't Shoot I'm english!

[B.Meldon]

It is not just the alignment that is a problem it is how it is going to be turned.
Using a simple bearing even a good one, is no good as it will just spin round and round so some type of damping action is required. Also how it is going to be turned becomes a problem. Some type of mechanical linkage would be needed under the base board, unless you are going to turn it by hand from above. The rail height would also need to be considered and would almost certainly require the turntable to be sunk into the baseboard. Having it higher would require the entire track to be lifted as well. Having a slope up to the turntable will result in vehicles running away when not coupled to a loco. That is all before thinking about how it is going to be wired up and the moving contacts needed for full 360 degree movement.

As I previously remarked turntables are difficult.

Brian Meldon