Good Afternoon. For those that have purchased and built the Walther's roundhouse I'd like to ask what have you done with the floor of the roundhouse. Have you cut it out to run track, left as is, or tried to run a single rail within each of the base forms. Comments and suggestions appreciated Thanks in advance. Jerry
I've been trying to think of any acquaintances, who might have built one of these. Most of the fellows I know don't have a roundhouse on their layout. Boxcab E50
I am in the process of installing the Wather's Roundhouse floor and inspection pits in my Cheyenne Roundhouse, all 48 stalls. I plan to use Micro Engineering Code 55 rail with ties from the turntable pit to the floor, and using a Code 55 rail joiner, solder ME Code 55 rail to the ME flex track and lay each rail in the groove of the Wather's inspection pit. Keith Lyons has an article in the current Wather's N Scale catalog, pages 194-199, describing how he built the turtalbe and roundhouse, including laying the rails. He used a Peco straight Tracksetta tool to align the rails and keep them in gauge while the glue set, in the inspection pits. I have a RibbonRail straight track laying tool and plan to use it. I would like to have the Peco Tracksetta tool to use, but can't find one anywhere. If anyone knows where I can get one, or has one they want to part with, I would be interested. Buzz Lenander "I saw UP on a boxcar"
Buzz: Thank you so much for the follow up. I appreciate the help and the reference. Lots of luck with your installation Krgds, Jerry
Keith Lyons' article is also online: http://www.walthers.com/page/Turntable%20and%20Roundhouse%20Rev.pdf
Several days ago I laid the first six roundhouse leads for my UP Cheyenne layout. First I countersunk the table top (homasote) to mount the turntable pit edge flush with the table surface. I lightly sanded the edge to rough up the plastic to create a better bond for the cement. I used Micro Engineering Code 55 flex track for the roundhouse leads up to the roundhouse floor. I soldered ME Code 55 rail to the flex track for the rails that will fit into the inspection pit floor grooves. The first two ties of the lead track fit onto the turntable pit edge, so I used ACC cement there. For the remaining flex track ties I used Titebond Neoprene Contact Cement. I used ACC again for the rails that fit into the floor grooves. I lightly sand the bottom of the flex track ties, again to roughen the surface for better grip for the cement. Apply the Titebond to the bottom of the ties with a sponge brush, and to the table top where the track will lay. Let the Contact cement dry for 30 minutes. Now we are ready to lay the rails in place. I put ACC on the first two ties, and into the grooves of the pit floor. I used a Micro-Brush to smooth the cement in the grooves. I use Gap-Filling Super Gold Plus ACC which gives you some time to work with. The Contact cement is less forgiving, you want to have everything lined up perfectly before the ties come in contact with the table top. You can use wax paper between the ties and table top while you line everything up, and then pull the wax paper out to cement the flex track to place. I place a RibbonRail track laying tool across the pit floor so the pit rails will not fall in the grooves until I have the flex track in place, then remove the tool and guide each rail into the grooves. I use the RibbonRail tool and fit it between the rails of the pit while the ACC sets. (Just like Keith Lyon's article). Everything came out fine, and I am happy with the result. Only 42 more roundhouse leads to go! Buzz Lenander
