Here's a mystery that was presented in another forum, I'm curious enough to ask here, because I have no idea what it's used for.
The brief description that accompanies this picture.
It is a box and it has 2 small O-scale track pieces on it. You have to plug it in and when you push the switch it turns slowly one section of the track all the way around.
I sure don't know what it is, has anyone seen one of these or is this a custom box for some unknown purpose?
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somebody had too much time on his hands.......
John,
You should have nailed this one straight off...
Its a demo prototype turntable for the Lionel Gang Car. When properly mounted sans the demo metal box and placed correctly at train table level; the gang car runs on, the operator hits the activation switch, the table rotates 180 degrees and the Gang Car can run right off in the oposite direction without the necessity of striking some stationairy object!!!!!! 
Best,
Dave
It is part of the Toonerville Trolley track setup. There was one of these turntables at each end with additional regular track in between. The Toonerville Trolley operated in one direction only. When it got to the end of the line, it hit the trigger at the end, turned the trolley around and it proceeded to head back the other way. When it got to the other end, it hit the similar turntable unit at the other end, and so on, and so on.
Stu
http://www.LionelNation.com/
All Lionel, All The Time
Perhaps a turntable for something as small as a speeder. Could be hidden in a small shed.
Bruce
If this is part of the Toonerville Trolley, does anyone have a reference to the whole setup?
We have a winner! Photo evidence enclosed. 
Thanks Stu, that allowed me to search for something meaningful instead of a "rotary track box". 
I just updated my post with the same picture once I had something to search on.
WHO made that Toonerville Trolley set? I have not seen that before. I have seen a prototypical turntable almost that small used to turn a small railbus.
If memory serves me right the Toonerville Trolley and accessories were the work of Lyle Caine Sr. in the 1980's. I think Richart also had a hand in these in some form or another.
Regards,
Randall
This Toonerville Trolley was based on a windup floor toy. Lyle Caine Sr. made them in much brighter colors for "O" Gauge, Standard Gauge, and (I think) No. 1 Gauge. His trolleys had black windows with a figure of the Skipper as motorman.
Other figures, the station, and that turntable were later additions. A figure was placed in each window, too. I vaguely recall seeing a trailer for the trolley at York once or twice.
The trolley would have looked strange running in reverse, so someone came up with that turntable. The trolley wobbles onto it, bumps the switch, and turns around. Then it goes back.
This turntable must be an early one because it isn't painted.
As colorado hirailer posted, such turntables were used to turn small railbuses.
Some inspection cars had a plate under the frame. It could be lowered between the rails. Raised off the rails, the car was turned around and lowered onto the track. The platform was raised, and the car was ready to go.
An ingenious bunch, these railroaders!
A cool little part of history. 
I remember seeing his display at York when he was selling them.
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