Looking for info on commercially available, automated turntables...

[trainforfun]

Will second Walthers, at least their 120 foot fully automated one.  Not sure if the old 90 footer ever got updated.

Been 4 years since I had one on my last layout, but was extremely happy with it.  Don't specifically recall how much noise it made, but it was much quieter than that old Euro model I had, which was a mechanical horse, no problems, but yes, very loud.  And no, not very prototypical looking.  I'm not sure why noise is a deal killer really, given how thankful we should be to Walthers for putting out a great, great model that was, IMHO, the only answer to having a turntable - good looking, reliable and ready to install.

I also have this one , the second generation which is DCC compatible , you can go to the track you want by simply use the button to control turnouts on your hand held throttle ( for me it's a DT400 Digitrax )  , by programming a number to each of your tracks .
I don't have any problem with the sound , not noisy , it's very acurate to stop at the programmed tracks .
Price is on the heavy side and I think it's a bit too slow , but overall very happy .

[trainforfun]

One other nice thing about a non-indexed TT is that you can locate any number of fan tracks at any arbitrary angle(s) anywhere around the pit to suit your particular needs. You're not locked into whatever the mechanism affords--which may not work with the roundhouse/facilities you're modeling.

With the Walthers one you can put the tracks where you want , not decided in advance by the system

[mplsjct]

The Walthers TT is a decent unit, although pricey, operation is straightforward and I agree with the programming comments, I used it at first but now just eyeball it.

I also experienced the cracked gears, contacted Walthers and got this response:
“Let us check and see if we have any parts”

That was about 5 years ago now, I guess they have a lot of areas to check.

Anyway, I located some replacement gears online at a place called Gizmozone, which apparently is no longer in operation, and was able to repair my TT.

All things considered, It is overpriced, but there really is no competition (as far as ready to run), also the only track I have been able to match up to what Walthers uses is Micro Engineering code 70, which is the least likely to be used on anyone’s layout.

[glakedylan]

{decided this was not the place to post my response}
PM me if any interest in a brand new Walthers N Scale TT


thanks
Gary

[Steveruger45]

Why not consider the Kato turn table.

http://www.sbs4dcc.com/tutorialstipstricks/katoturntabledcccontrol.html

Ok, it doesnt have great North American looks but That could be worked on somewhat I guess and those feed tracks could be replaced with whatever code/make you prefer, bearing in mind the kato rim and bridge tracks are code 80.
There are a few You Tubes on this one.   

[delamaize]

I have a Fleischmann turntable, that I'm holding on to for someday use. The little bit I have played it, it seems really nice, abit noisy. It could be Americanized with some work.

[Mark5]

Why not consider the Kato turn table.

Main problem is that the deck is about 84'. Good for shorty locos.

http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/Turntable.html

[Mark5]

i have a brand new, boxed opened to check for all parts, Walthers N Scale
120 130 ft DC version turntable.

Fixed 

https://www.walthers.com/cornerstone-series-r-built-ups-modern-130-turntable-assembled-motorized-programmable-indexing

[alhoop]

Main problem is that the deck is about 84'. Good for shorty locos.

http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/Turntable.html

The Walthers 130' is still available but I think fewer and fewer MR's will actually need a turntable.
If one has  a turntable in place that is too short for the longer steam but is around 100' in length -
 by following the prototype it's possible to turn a Challenger on a 100' turntable. UP turned Challengers
on a 100 foot turntable at Denver by jacking up the rear tender truck so that the dangling rear wheels of the truck 
would clear all adjacent tracks as the turntable rotated  and then lowering the truck when the correct track was reached.
Al Hooper

[Mark5]

That is true Al.

The ideal size for me would be 115' as that was the common size on N&W.

I have the Wally 130', but if a better option appears before I get around to the layout (next house!), I will seriously consider it.

Mark

[Steveruger45]

Main problem is that the deck is about 84'. Good for shorty locos.

http://www.katousa.com/N/Unitrack/Turntable.html

Darn. Thats a shame.

[u18b]

I have a Fleischmann turntable, that I'm holding on to for someday use. The little bit I have played it, it seems really nice, abit noisy. It could be Americanized with some work.

Mike,
I have a Fleischmann too.  I bought it for the layout I hope to build.

Chessie System fan was very disappointed when I bought it because it was European.  Mostly, it is the height of the turntable- very tall.

But I also plan to Americanize mine.

Like as was already said- almost all turntables are a bit loud- and this one is too. 
But it works flawlessly for me... and it is DCC compatible.

[NtheBasement]

Peco turntable motorized with a Polulu gearmotor.  Parts list is in the description.  The ball bearings are not needed.  Biggest challenge was mounting the motor square, as the turntable pit bottom is dished. 

[randgust]

Wow, that's nice.   And relatively simple.   Particularly when you're jockying the table with what looks like a dpdt.

[jdcolombo]

The question is what do you actually want to turn on your turntable.

If all you are going to do is use it to turn diesels, then the Peco and Kato tables are possibilities.  Both are about 80 scale feet.  An SD70 or GEVO will fit nicely.

If you model the late steam era, or the steam-to-diesel transition era, then you need a BIG turntable.  Late-era single-engine dual-cylinder locos like the 4-8-4's 2-8-4's, and 4-8-2's were all over 100' long with tender; the 2-10-4's (Santa Fe Texas and C&O T-1s) were over 110'.  Then there are the big articulateds (the N&W A's, the Yellowstones, the Challengers, the Big Boys, the Alleghenys, etc.) all over 110' in length, with some nearly 130'.  If you want to turn a B&O EM-1 or a Big Boy, better have that Walthers table.

John C.