Atlas N scale turntable

DeaconKC Jul 18, 2022

  1. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Anybody used one of these? If so, how does Unitrack line up with the height to the "pocket" where track enters? Thanks!
     
  2. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    The Atlas turntable was around long before Unitrack, so as far as lining up, it doesn't. Option 1 is to shim up the turntable to match the height, but that's probably not going to look too good. Option 2 is to use a piece of regular flex track to drop down from Unitrack height to "ground level". You'll need some sort of transition piece anyway since the turntable has a lip that you need to bridge that Unitrack can't cover. You didn't mention how much space you had to accomplish that. The roadbed on Unitrack simulates mainline trackage, which wouldn't be accurate for entering a turntable anyway.........or for the other tracks around a turntable.
     
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  3. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Thank you! That is exactly what I needed to know. I may just use non Unitrack track then for the area off the mainline.
     
  4. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    Kato makes a special adapter for their turntable (it comes with 3 and you have to buy them after that) that has the track extension you need. But I have no idea if it would work on an Atlas turntable.
     
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  5. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Not a fan of the Atlas TT even though I have one. I have not used it because Walthers TT is a far better indexing style. The Atlas TT is not an indexing style so lining up track can be challenging.
    As to using Kato Unitrack with either TT, I would suggest recessing the Unitrack from the mainline, then use the transition Unitrack piece to either code 80 Atlas set track or flex track to the TT.
     
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  6. Jim67

    Jim67 TrainBoard Member

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    I understand that the Atlas turntable uses a Geneva mechanism which should provide indexing. Having said that, a Geneva mechanism stops momentarily at each track position, which isn’t realistic. Is there another (newer) design of this turntable that eliminated the indexing in order to get more realistic motion?

    I completely agree that the Walthers turntable provides the best of indexing, motion, and appearance! Alas, the price difference between the two is not insignificant!! I’ll continue to use my old Arnold Rapido turntable for now!

    Thanks,
    Jim
     
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  7. MRLdave

    MRLdave TrainBoard Member

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    I'm using the Walthers manual turntable......indexing is by a giant hand that comes down from the sky and lines up the track. I couldn't justify the cost of a powered turntable.........my turntable/roundhouse is largely just eyecandy/scenery so it rarely moves. Unfortunately the Atlas TT is the most inaccurate as far as LOOKING like a turntable and it's also a bit on the small side if you run larger steam engines.
     
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  8. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    as far as looks, I remember seeing an old picture of a roundhouse with a covered table like the Atlas one. I have spent a good deal of time trying to find it on the internet, maybe one of my railroad books. It was a Western Railroad, so THAT really narrows it down!
     
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  9. John Moore

    John Moore TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Atlas turntable is modeled after a western mountains facility. They even had some turntables covered by a roof. Most of the covered turntables as I recall were in the Cascades Mountains where the snowfall could be measured in feet at a time. Why they chose a turntable that would most commonly be seen with 4-4-0s and 2-8-0s I don't know.
     
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  10. Charlie Vlk

    Charlie Vlk February 5, 2023 In Memoriam

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    Simple answer…the “Geneva Motion” track is molded into the bottom face of the wood deck. The HO and N versions use this compact and self-indexing drive to make a turntable that works on a flat surface with track on cork roadbed.
    A conventional bridge and pit turntable is much more expensive to produce and the trainset crowd wouldn’t install a complex table that requires a hole in the trainboard and costs much more.
    Charlie Vlk
     
  11. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    Hmm, maybe make it a NP facility...
     
  12. DeaconKC

    DeaconKC TrainBoard Member

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    The guy never says whether the turntable was covered in the 1800s indoors. But neat to watch:
     
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  13. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Uhhh... Geneva indexing?
    This is the TT I am referring to:
     

    Attached Files:

  14. Calzephyr

    Calzephyr TrainBoard Supporter

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    Yep... just checked Altas site and it sez... Geneva movement. I just see a big ugly crank that doesn't represent anything prototypical.
    LOL.. just imagining how many N scale figures would have to push that crank!!!
     
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  15. ogre427

    ogre427 TrainBoard Member

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    [​IMG]

    this can be installed with it
     
  16. mtntrainman

    mtntrainman TrainBoard Supporter

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    That building over that turntable motor made a nice 'POL' shed in Lucky Penny Yard on THERR...:whistle:

    [​IMG]
    .
     
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