<
back to previous page
TURNTABLE
KITS - general information
We
are manufacturers of the Midland
Railway Centre range of turntable
kits, now in their 29th year of production.
The
kits are produced to a high degree of precision,
using both etched and machined parts, as well
as white metal and lost-wax brass castings. Nut
and bolt assembly of the main structural components
ensures speed and accuracy of assembly, and jigs
and gauges are provided to facilitate positional
accuracy of those components on which satisfactory
operation depends. Motorising kits are available
for each model in the range.
All
kits are compatible with DCC control systems.
A comprehensive set of illustrated assembly instructions
is provided with each kit. A good soldering iron
(or miniature gas soldering torch), plus the usual
selection of kit-builders hand-tools are all that
is required for assembly, and the kits should
be well within the capability of the average modeller.
The
kits are available for 0.(32mm), and S7 standards,
and the appropriate rail-setting gauges are provided
accordingly.
Each
kit is complemented by an Installation Module,
to enable the turntable to be installed easily
into the layout. These modules consist of a series
of boards of MDF (Medium Density Fibreboard) and
incorporate the pit or "well" , together with
the circular rail on which the turntable rotates,
the central pivot, and location for the motor
drive, if required.
| Ransomes
& Rapier Standard Well-Type Turntable |
|
|
This
kit is based on the standard design of well
turntable supplied to railway companies
world-wide by the Ipswich based company
Ransomes & Rapier from the 1930s. The
model depicts the hand-propelled version,
and is available in two sizes, 60 foot (18,3metre)
and 70 foot (21,3metre) diameter.
Construction
is of brass, nickel-silver, copperclad laminate
board and steel. Timber is supplied for
the walkway planking. The stiffening angles,
which are used to brace the main side frames,
walkway supports, frame stretchers and deck
chequerplating are supplied as nickel-silver
etchings. Makers plates and load restriction
plates are also included.
Setting
bars are provided to ensure that the deck
rails are positioned centrally, and the
laying of the circular race rail on which
the turntable rotates is simplified by the
provision of a machined radius setting bar.
The race rail is included in the Installation
Kit (see TIM3 kits).
more
|
| Cowans
& Sheldon Pre-Grouping Turntable |
.
Photo
of 50' turntable on RAMSGATE HARBOUR layout
by Pete Smith
|
The
kit is based on the style of turntable built
by Cowans & Sheldon of Carlisle. Although
introduced in pre-Grouping days (pre. 1922),
many survived well into BR days (post 1948).
The
turntables were of the balanced type - the
entire weight of the loco and table being
taken by the massive centre bearing. Positioning
of the loco to achieve perfect balance was
therefore critical, as the table was pushed
round by hand.
The
model faithfully reproduces the characteristic
cross-timbered decking, outboard wheel bearings,
and other fine detail such as handrails,
chequer plate panels between the rails,
and rivetted platework
more
|
| GWR
Over-girder Turntable |
Photo
- Loco: Dr. Mike Britton, Turntable:
Mick Payne |
This
kit represents the GWR style of hand-operated
over-girder turntable, 65ft. (19,8m.) in
diameter. Its features include full rivet
detail, inner and outer bracing struts with
stiffening angles, timber walkways along
the tops of the side girders, access ladders,
locking levers, chequerplate decking etc.
Construction
is of brass, (etched and machined), nickel-silver,
steel and copperclad laminate board.
more
|
|
