Do you need a turntable and roundhouse?

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Want and need are two separate things.

Sure you don't really need a turntable for a modern diesel. But it sure is cool having one.
 
want and need are different...

try telling that to my wife who needs a new purse all the time, lol.

That walthers new modern turntable is pretty awesome..expensive, but awesome. Hard to pass up if you have the space and money:rolleyes:
 


djstrains said:
try telling that to my wife who needs a new purse all the time, lol.

That walthers new modern turntable is pretty awesome..expensive, but awesome. Hard to pass up if you have the space and money:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I know, I just got that one! It is indeed awesome. My first turntable I've ever owned. I had it on pre-order for 6 months, so plenty of time to save.

P1010257.jpg
 
A round house is not needed and if modeling modern era, diesels, then there are very few round houses still in use. There are, however, a number of turn-tables still in use.

One I know of is in the Juniata Yard in Altoona, PA. Is a diesel service facility. Pull up Google Maps, go the Altoona and follow the tracks to the huge yard. Then follow the yard watching for a turn table on the NW side.
 
waltr said:
A round house is not needed and if modeling modern era, diesels, then there are very few round houses still in use. There are, however, a number of turn-tables still in use.

One I know of is in the Juniata Yard in Altoona, PA. Is a diesel service facility. Pull up Google Maps, go the Altoona and follow the tracks to the huge yard. Then follow the yard watching for a turn table on the NW side.
Click to expand...

I would agree. You can go to satellite pictures of almost any large yard and find a turn table with active tracks still running to it. The foundation for the roundhouse might still be there but is likely a parking lot for employee vehicles or railroad supplies, if a roundhouse ever existed there in the first place.

It also seems the turn tables are smaller. Intended to turn a single diesel locomotive. The massive bridge turn tables used to turn a steamer and its tender are disappearing.
 
Heh, trains sleeping in tidmoth shed was probably one of my main reasons for getting fixated into trains as a kid!

I see it's all CG these days though =/
 


It's never a matter of need, it's always want. BTW, you see the price Bachmann is asking for the Thomas turntable and roundhouse? I wonder how many kids will get one of those on their layouts
 
Turntables

You have hit the nail on the head again. I do model in the steam to diesel transition era, and have a lot of real estate eaten up by these necessities for that era.
I know of many turntables right here in Montana that are still around, but no more roundhouses. I have time on my hands from time to time at work, and use Google Earth on a regular basis and did a lot of looking for turntables, and there aren't many around any more, and when it comes to roundhouses, the only one that I am aware of the the UP's roundhouse in Cheyenne, WY, which still houses their steam locomotives.
The only turntable I know of that is attached to any engine facility is the Montana Rail Link's in Livingston, MT, which is the home of MRL rebuild shops. I was very familiar with this facility as a kid and over the years have watched the roundhouse shrink in size. In the 70's it was down to three stalls, and now they are entirely gone. The turntable can take a locomotive from the yard and turn it into their engine shop, where they have a transfer table on the other side of the building to move locomotives into different stalls.
Unfortunately I have to give up the real estate on my layout as I run as a point to point railroad. Sure could have used it for other things.
Another great post. Keep it up.
 
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djstrains said:
Do you model diesel /modern era? Do you have a roundhouse and turntable? If so, do you really need it? Here is my OPINION:

http://www.youtube.com/rswatch?v=X1jsesA076A&feature=youtu.be
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Your opinion is a video?

My opinion is that any turntables and round houses today are artifacts from the steam era. Most railroads are removing them or at least filling them in at a rapid rate. When I was a kid I could see 10 turntables on a trip to/from my grandmothers house. If I were to make that trip today I think only 1 is still in existence.

Here in Denver the BNSF still has a turntable but as near I can tell it hasn't moved or had a loco on it for over 10 years. They use the wye to turn locos.
 
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If ever I go forward with a planed layout I will need two turntables. It's a small spur line with a 4-6-0 and combine and some small freight haulers. But at least one will be hidden. That end of the line has a washed out bridge and the other ends in a city of unknown design.

This past week I got the Bachmann Spectrum 4-6-0 with sound and a NCE Power Cab. Also some needed vehicles. Next month I'll start on the layout.
 
waltr said:
.....One I know of is in the Juniata Yard in Altoona, PA. Is a diesel service facility. Pull up Google Maps, go the Altoona and follow the tracks to the huge yard. Then follow the yard watching for a turn table on the NW side.
Click to expand...

I found it and that is cool and it looks like they still have part of a 2 bay roundhouse there but mostly storage tracks. :)
 
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