Turntable
Turntable from version 3 of mrwain
The previous version of mrwain was a shelf layout requiring the train to be turned around.
Not wanting to purchase a turntable and having some items from my retired 90 size electric RC helicopter laying around I decided to "think outside the box" and came up with the result shown here. The battery tray from the heli provided the bridge and the rotor blades shaft connected it to the stepper motor beneath the shelf.
Below is the beginng of mrwain version 4 turntable
Programmable Turntable Indexing System
The PTC 3 stepper motor has .025 degree resolution. 14,400 steps in the 360 degrees of rotation.
This makes for very precise indexing when aligning the bridge with the lead/radial tracks.
What is a turntable and why have one?
A railway turntable is a device for turning locomotives so that they can be moved back in the direction from which they came.
In real life situations railways were reluctant to build turntables because of the cost involved.
They would always build a wye wherever possible.
With MRWAIN I wanted the ability to turnaround a loco, so a turntable was a given.
I built one from bits and pieces laying around.
Now, if I did have a requirement for a second turntable the cost factor would come into consideration because of the turntable controller.
The railway will run AC6000 loco's among others, so I may have to place a catch net under the turntable because there is not much room on the bridge for error.
A turntable on a model railway is an essential feature for several reasons:
Space Efficiency: Turntables allow locomotives to be turned around in a limited space, which is especially useful in compact layouts where space is at a premium.
Operational Realism: Incorporating a turntable adds realism to the model railway by mimicking the operations of real railways, where turntables are used to change the direction of locomotives.
Versatility: With a turntable, various tracks can be accessed from a single point, offering more operational flexibility and enabling complex train movements and setups.
Historical Accuracy: For those modelling specific eras or railway companies, a turntable can be an important feature to accurately represent historical railway operations.
Overall, a turntable enhances the functionality, realism, and aesthetic appeal of a model railway, making it a valuable addition for enthusiasts.