The Hornby turntable is really an oldie designed by Triang and is cheap (fairly) but can develop problems. It operates on a rotating cam with a peg which slots into a series of semi circular slots in the underside of the turntable platform. check that the turntable platform is close and even with the base and that the base is properly flat otherwise they tend to disengage. If you can find a Fleischmann HO turntable they are usually far better but far more expensive!
Hornby Turntable
Has anyone else experienced problems with the Hornby turntable? Mine is, frankly, a bit rubbish. The rails catch and rip out the copper connecting plates, the connection is poor anyway and the whole thing is noisy. I have one plumbed into my nascent layout but am thinking of swapping it for something better. Any recommendations? I'd rather not cut a hole for teh thing ...
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Thanks. Yes I considered a Fleischmann one - but aren't they all flush-fit, i.e. they have to be sunk into the baseboard? And is the wiring a straight swap?
QUOTE (Mike H. @ 28 Nov 2008, 12:10) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks. Yes I considered a Fleischmann one - but aren't they all flush-fit, i.e. they have to be sunk into the baseboard? And is the wiring a straight swap?
Yes they are, as per the prototype - you could always build up the tracks to it, is you are happy with it. The wiring is straightforward.
Yes they are, as per the prototype - you could always build up the tracks to it, is you are happy with it. The wiring is straightforward.
The Fleischmann TT is great but I think that Walthers in the USA have just released a new one in two sizes that can be anglacised and it is even better.
Stephen
Stephen
I agree, the Fleischmann one is very good. It seems expensive but if you consider it as an investment it makes more economic sense, since it can be reconfigured to suit any track layout it can be reused for any number of layouts you care to build in your lifetime.
I partially anglicised mine by replacing the German "greenhouse" hut on the turntable with a Wills lamp hut. Another friend who uses one actually cut off the whole extension of the turntable that the "greenhouse" sat on ... I haven't been quite so brave!
I partially anglicised mine by replacing the German "greenhouse" hut on the turntable with a Wills lamp hut. Another friend who uses one actually cut off the whole extension of the turntable that the "greenhouse" sat on ... I haven't been quite so brave!
QUOTE The Hornby turntable is really an oldie designed by Triang and is cheap (fairly) but can develop problems. It operates on a rotating cam with a peg which slots into a series of semi circular slots in the underside of the turntable platform.
The turntable dates from 1977 and is purely a Hornby design. Ironically it replaced R408 , which was the original Triang design. This was much better and much more reliable. I agree the Fleischmann one is the best to go for , but you may find a Triang Hornby one second hand which was not bad.
Is Heljan also doing one?
Russell
The turntable dates from 1977 and is purely a Hornby design. Ironically it replaced R408 , which was the original Triang design. This was much better and much more reliable. I agree the Fleischmann one is the best to go for , but you may find a Triang Hornby one second hand which was not bad.
Is Heljan also doing one?
Russell
QUOTE Is Heljan also doing one?
Heljan now have two sizes of turntable for HO/OO.
You can see details of the larger one on this page on Howes website for the Heljan.
The more recent is:-
QUOTE Doug: Heljan Operating 21.5m Turntable
I know that some people were after this model.
It is now available at Rails of Sheffield and perhaps other shops for £154.50.
<edit> The quoted link no longer works. Rails have updated their website so
try this page
Note to all traverser hunters - it's also listed with a "SOON" sticker!
David: There is one thing that OO modellers should check before buying - the length of the bridge. Assuming that Heljan have produced a HO scale (1:87) 21.5 meter turntable, my calculations show that this gives a bridge length of 247mm or 9.7 inches. In other words it's not big enough for OO Pacifics.
David
Heljan now have two sizes of turntable for HO/OO.
You can see details of the larger one on this page on Howes website for the Heljan.
The more recent is:-
QUOTE Doug: Heljan Operating 21.5m Turntable
I know that some people were after this model.
It is now available at Rails of Sheffield and perhaps other shops for £154.50.
<edit> The quoted link no longer works. Rails have updated their website so
try this page
Note to all traverser hunters - it's also listed with a "SOON" sticker!
David: There is one thing that OO modellers should check before buying - the length of the bridge. Assuming that Heljan have produced a HO scale (1:87) 21.5 meter turntable, my calculations show that this gives a bridge length of 247mm or 9.7 inches. In other words it's not big enough for OO Pacifics.
David
there are always thee options of the Peco ..or DApol tuntable kits.....both I think require a well...as do most turntables......one that sits flush with the ground, needs to have its table girders going upwards rather than downwards..as in a bridge.
the holes aren't difficult to cut..a jigsaw and template [usually supplied] being all that's needed.
If a well is a no-no...then use the likes of a dapol kit, with the ring rail flush to your table top, and the rest of the loco servicing area being built up to match the deck/rail height of the TT.
I suggested the dapol kit as [a] it ain't too much moolah down the pan if things dont work out right, and it's small, and requires a less deep well compared to teh Peco jobbie...[which incidentally, has inbuilt electrics]
the holes aren't difficult to cut..a jigsaw and template [usually supplied] being all that's needed.
If a well is a no-no...then use the likes of a dapol kit, with the ring rail flush to your table top, and the rest of the loco servicing area being built up to match the deck/rail height of the TT.
I suggested the dapol kit as [a] it ain't too much moolah down the pan if things dont work out right, and it's small, and requires a less deep well compared to teh Peco jobbie...[which incidentally, has inbuilt electrics]
If you decide to scrap the Hornby TT I suggest looking at the New Heljan one, a bit expensive but it a cracker, simple to fit and operate, just 4 wires required, all exit tracks programable. See www.dckits-devideos.co.uk website for more info and a photo. Honest it is very good. Charlie
On my old layout in Leics. I had a Heljan Turntable suitably anglicised which worked fine.
My current layout in Perth has a hidden storage and loco yard and I have used the Hornby Turntable here - its noisy but with careful adjustment of the contacts it works fine. When I eventually get round to extending the layout round the other two sides of the attic I have a Peco turntable to go in.
The Airfix/Dapol turntable, if still available, has the advantage you don't have to cut a hole, but to my mind the Peco one is the best buy.
My current layout in Perth has a hidden storage and loco yard and I have used the Hornby Turntable here - its noisy but with careful adjustment of the contacts it works fine. When I eventually get round to extending the layout round the other two sides of the attic I have a Peco turntable to go in.
The Airfix/Dapol turntable, if still available, has the advantage you don't have to cut a hole, but to my mind the Peco one is the best buy.
I had the same problem and have replaced my Hornby turntable with a Walthers Atlas direct from the USA. It is only 9" but I have altered mine to 10.75" and it can be surface or flush mounted. Walthers have been excellent to me with customer service and the total cost was £47 including postage. I had a problem with the motorised unit and Walthers are sending me a new replacement at no cost. I ordered on the internet and it took 11 days to arrive. It is very accurate and has 21 bays which gives a good roundhouse saving loads of space. Each track needs to be wired individually and takes some time but it is worth it.
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