Wes97 posted:Jim McGehee posted:I recently installed an Atlas #6990 turntable onto my layout. My goal was to be able to display and/or select an engine to run around a single large loop. I wanted to run both DCS and conventional engines. I added a siding to the loop to be able drop off a consist when I exchanged engines to run. I also placed a Lionel Bascule bridge on the loop to add some interest for viewers.
The turntable is currently functional although not totally complete. I still need to add doors to the roundhouse. I also want to install a Lionel Smoke fluid loader (6-37821) on one of the stems, but that is another story for another time.
It took me several weeks to remove the old items from the layout, originally Washington D.C. area, to build and install the roundhouse, to install the roundtable and associated track system and to install the Atlas Connect switches (#6927) for each roundtable stem. This whole process was much than I originally thought it to be, but I managed to work through it.
I will admit that the process of moving engines is more complicated than I imagined prior to installation. But you just have to follow all the steps and things work well.
A word of caution on the Atlas Switch Connectors #6827, if you decide to use them. These are really great switches and I like them a lot. However, they are extremely hard to find. Secondly they need modification to work with O gauge wiring. There are several write-ups on these switches in the OGR Forum.
First of all, you've got a beautiful setup! Second, is the turntable manual or powered, and if so, how? And on an off topic question, did you build these towers, and what did you use for those bricks?
First off thanks for the layout compliment.
The turntable is powered by a separate Lionel 1037 transformer. I leave it turned to a few volts to power the turntable and never touch again.
The towers are built to represent the Howard Street bridge located in Baltimore Maryland. The blocks are Styrofoam Building blocks and I bought a box of them at Hobby Lobby. I still seem them on the shelf at Hobby Lobby with all the paints and hobby construction stuff. One box built 4 towers with lots left over for future projects.
