N Gauge Forum

General Category => N Gauge Discussion => Topic started by: Roy H on July 05, 2025, 11:01:40 PM

Title: Goods van turntables
Post by: Roy H on July 05, 2025, 11:01:40 PM
Hi,
Can anyone assist please.
I want to add 2 Goods van turntables into a layout I'm planning but have so far drawn a blank on these small turntables in N, I have a Peco SL-427 but it is too small and unfortunately not fit for the purpose.
Is there an alternative that is available?

Many thanks for any assistance or advice,
Roy
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: PLD on July 06, 2025, 12:15:31 AM
The SL-427 is intended primarily for 009 narrow gauge, but should be compatible with code 80 N gauge track.

I have seen them successfully used on N gauge layout though, and they are big enough to hold a 9/10 ft wheelbase wagon which is all that would in reality have used them. Remember, as per the prototype, only the wheels needs to fit, not the whole buffer-to-buffer length of the wagon and there would be an over-hang each end when a wagon was sat on it.

Other than that, why do you consider them "not fit for purpose"?
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Jollybob on July 06, 2025, 12:39:12 AM
The Peco SL-427 is okay if you are just using it to show and not use. A 10' wagon is a tiny bit too big, it just catches the flanges on the wheels. A missed opportunity by Peco in my opinion.
Someone at some point was making 3d designed wagon turntables of various lengths but I couldn't say if they are still around.
Faller made a wagon turntable, it is quite large for British standards. It comes with a servo I believe, so not cheap either.

Rob.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Roy H on July 06, 2025, 09:28:36 AM
Thanks for your comments, with reference to the Peco Wagon Turntable I guess what I should have said 'not fit for my purpose' as I'm sure they are very useful in many circumstances just not mine.

As in many cases my reality is/will be somewhat different from the real reality, as with the advert; I want it to do things "other can't do" or something like that.

Yer, I seem to remember seeing something somewhere sometime about an alternative wagon turntable but can't for the life me remember what, where or who

I'll see if the Faller one mentioned might do the job - I've not looked at that.

Thanks again.
Roy
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Newportnobby on July 06, 2025, 09:42:01 AM
Could you scratch build something out of, say, a Pringles top?*

*other snacks chomps are available  :D
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Bealman on July 06, 2025, 09:50:15 AM
Actually, scratch building was something that came to my mind.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Steven B on July 06, 2025, 09:54:38 AM
Quote from: Roy H on Yesterday at 09:28:36 AMThanks for your comments, with reference to the Peco Wagon Turntable I guess what I should have said 'not fit for my purpose' as I'm sure they are very useful in many circumstances just not mine.

What is it that you're trying ti achieve? We'll be able to give better suggestions if we know more.

What size? Static or functional? Do you want the be able to drive locos over it? If you're coping a prototype location, what was used there?
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Kris on July 06, 2025, 10:01:48 AM
Scratch building one from a milk bottle top would give you something about the correct size going a bit smaller might be better however so possibly even a coke bottle top.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Lagrange1 on July 06, 2025, 10:05:42 AM
Assuming you want a flat deck table rather than a well type how about about using the base of a CD case and then cut down a CD to give you the table size you're after?

Has been done in the past but cannot remember where I read about it.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: chrism on July 06, 2025, 10:18:04 AM
I, too, considered the Peco ones for a couple I needed for Broughton but felt that the were too small.
Since all I needed was for them to look about right and to allow wagons to pass across in one route only, I cobbled some up from plasticard and some lengths of rail.

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/86/medium_7182-280120183313.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=86725)

Once the ballast and ground works around them was done they look pretty fair and wagons do run across them on the desired routes.

(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/93/medium_7182-130520152632.jpeg) (https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=93238)

Quote from: Steven B on Yesterday at 09:54:38 AMDo you want the be able to drive locos over it? If you're coping a prototype location, what was used there?

Would locos have been allowed to run over them?

I've assumed not in the case of Broughton, so mine are within the isolated ends of the sidings - wagons from beyond the turntables have to be recovered using a few more wagons to reach them.

Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: emjaybee on July 06, 2025, 10:48:32 AM
Quote from: Newportnobby on Yesterday at 09:42:01 AMCould you scratch build something out of, say, a Pringles top?*

*other snacks chomps are available  :D

Yes, but he doesn't need hundreds, 'cos, y'know once you pop...
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: martyn on July 06, 2025, 11:48:02 AM
Just a thought-how do you propose to shunt wagons on and off the table when it is set at 90 degrees or whatever to the running line?

I note Swaffham has two joined to each other, and one of them has some stub sidings off it, though I suspect these are just for safety in case a wagon over-runs the table. The stubs can be shunted directly from the yard running lines, but the line linking the two might pose some problems for 'real train' movements in model form.

Martyn

Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Newportnobby on July 06, 2025, 11:53:25 AM
Quote from: Kris on Yesterday at 10:01:48 AMScratch building one from a milk bottle top would give you something about the correct size going a bit smaller might be better however so possibly even a coke bottle top.

Wheel rim to wheel rim of an average 4 wheel wagon is 30mm, so the suggestions above seem on the small size to me :hmmm:
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: ntpntpntp on July 06, 2025, 12:41:15 PM
There are other options for wagon turntables.  Faller do a nice one with a servo.  222114

https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/41438/222114-Faller-Small-Wagon-Turntable-with-Motor-Kit (https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/p/41438/222114-Faller-Small-Wagon-Turntable-with-Motor-Kit)
(https://www.kernowmodelrailcentre.com/images/product/prod_41438.jpg)

Modelbahn Union also do a smaller size turntable  (see DM Toys web site).

Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: PLD on July 06, 2025, 01:43:47 PM
This image shows a very typical British standard gauge example.

https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwr/curzonstreet/lnwrcs2109.jpg
https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwrcs2109.htm

The van on the table is a standard LMS 10ft wheelbase and as can be seen just fits.
Locos were usually not permitted to cross the turntable. Moving the wagons on and off the table and also turning them was usually by rope/chain and capstans as demonstrated. In larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: EtchedPixels on July 06, 2025, 01:54:17 PM
Quote from: Jollybob on Yesterday at 12:39:12 AMThe Peco SL-427 is okay if you are just using it to show and not use. A 10' wagon is a tiny bit too big, it just catches the flanges on the wheels. A missed opportunity by Peco in my opinion.
Someone at some point was making 3d designed wagon turntables of various lengths but I couldn't say if they are still around.
Faller made a wagon turntable, it is quite large for British standards. It comes with a servo I believe, so not cheap either.

Rob.

That actually makes them correct for a lot of wagon turntables in the UK. It's one of the reasons the clayhoods were so short right until the end and the BR builds never ended up on modern chassis lengths.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: SD35 on July 06, 2025, 02:14:10 PM
Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 01:43:47 PMLocos were usually not permitted to cross the turntable. Moving the wagons on and off the table and also turning them was usually by rope/chain and capstans as demonstrated. In larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)

I have learned something.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Jollybob on July 06, 2025, 03:45:08 PM
Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 01:43:47 PMThis image shows a very typical British standard gauge example.

https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwr/curzonstreet/lnwrcs2109.jpg
https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwrcs2109.htm

The van on the table is a standard LMS 10ft wheelbase and as can be seen just fits.
Locos were usually not permitted to cross the turntable. Moving the wagons on and off the table and also turning them was usually by rope/chain and capstans as demonstrated. In larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)


(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/4601-060725154258.jpeg)

Remember though rule one applys.  :D
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Bigmac on July 06, 2025, 08:11:50 PM
Quote from: Jollybob on Yesterday at 03:45:08 PM
Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 01:43:47 PMThis image shows a very typical British standard gauge example.

https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwr/curzonstreet/lnwrcs2109.jpg
https://www.warwickshirerailways.com/lms/lnwrcs2109.htm

The van on the table is a standard LMS 10ft wheelbase and as can be seen just fits.
Locos were usually not permitted to cross the turntable. Moving the wagons on and off the table and also turning them was usually by rope/chain and capstans as demonstrated. In larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)


(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/4601-060725154258.jpeg)

Remember though rule one applys.  :D

ha ha--love it !
What is that loco ?

Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Roy H on July 06, 2025, 10:55:09 PM
Thanks all, great comments and info and photo's which I will investigate :beers:

Roy
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: PhilD on July 06, 2025, 11:50:31 PM
or horses!
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: PLD on July 07, 2025, 12:17:35 AM
Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 01:43:47 PMIn larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)
Quote from: PhilD on Yesterday at 11:50:31 PMor horses!
???
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Steven B on July 07, 2025, 09:00:41 AM
Quote from: Bigmac on Yesterday at 08:11:50 PM
Quote from: Jollybob on Yesterday at 03:45:08 PM(https://www.ngaugeforum.co.uk/SMFN/gallery/153/4601-060725154258.jpeg)

ha ha--love it !
What is that loco ?

0-4-0 Saddle tank Peckett loco No.1893 at the Great Western Museum in Coleford. Built in 1936 it worked at Iron Bridge Power Station as one of three identical locos. The GWR livery is a preservation "Might have been" - the locos did have running rights on the GWR for shunting. All three have survived into preservation, although 1893 is the only one of the three that is still in running order.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: PhilD on July 07, 2025, 09:23:10 AM
Quote from: PLD on Today at 12:17:35 AM
Quote from: PLD on Yesterday at 01:43:47 PMIn larger yards there may be some steam powered capstans to provide the power, otherwise it may be the rope attached to a loco on another track, or in the most basic cases horse-power (later mechanical horse/tractor)
Quote from: PhilD on Yesterday at 11:50:31 PMor horses!
???

Sorry, should have explained. In the olden days, horses were used to pull the wagons, in and out of the buildings and along the feeder and storage sidings, using ropes and capstans to redirect the direction of pull.
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: Bealman on July 07, 2025, 09:26:26 AM
Ok, just wondering about the OP post.... solution achieved?
Title: Re: Goods van turntables
Post by: martyn on July 07, 2025, 10:12:26 AM
A bit   :offtopicsign: yet again;

One place where the loco did regularly shunt across  wagon turntables was the Midland Railway depot in West India docks, London.

However, the loco permitted to do so was specially constructed; Midland # 1550, but B.E.L.No.1 in BR days. It was a battery electric 0-4-0 shunter, with a diminutive centre cab and two 'bonnets', one either side of the cab.

Martyn